Li v. Ho

Opinion

Electronically Filed Supreme Court SCPW-XX-XXXXXXX 24-JUL-2026 07:51 AM Dkt. 6 ODDP

SCPW-XX-XXXXXXX

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF HAWAII

ZHAO KANG LI, Petitioner,

vs.

THE HONORABLE TIMOTHY E. HO, Judge of the District Court of the First Circuit, State of Hawaii, Respondent Judge,

and

HONOLULU FORD, Respondent.

ORIGINAL PROCEEDING (1DSC-XX-XXXXXXX)

ORDER DENYING PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS (By: Devens, C.J., McKenna, Eddins, and Ginoza, JJ., and Circuit Judge Soong, assigned by reason of vacancy)

On June 2, 2026, Petitioner Zhao Kang Li filed a petition

for a writ of mandamus, alleging in pertinent part that he

obtained a writ of execution on a judgment entered in his favor

but has been unable to enforce it. Li contends that the

sheriffs and police refused to assist in executing the writ. We conclude that Petitioner failed to establish a clear and

indisputable right to the relief requested, and a lack of other

means to redress adequately the alleged wrong or obtain the

requested action. Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP v. Kim, 153

Hawaii 307, 319, 537 P.3d 1154, 1166 (2023).

A civil process server is authorized by law to serve and

execute a writ of execution issued pursuant to HRS Chapter 651.

See Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) § 353C-11(a)(6) (Supp. 2021);

HRS § 651-1(d) (Supp. 2022) (defining “police officer” as used

in Chapter 651, “Attachment and Execution,” to include “an

independent civil process server on the list maintained by the

department of law enforcement pursuant to section 353C-11.”).

The Department of Law Enforcement maintains a “Process Service

List” on its website: https://law.hawaii.gov/resources/private-

process-servers/ [https://perma.cc/AKE8-3HGZ].

Petitioner also has alternative post-judgment remedies,

including garnishment. See HRS Chapter 652.

We note that Petitioner is self-represented. In striking

Petitioner’s request, the district court directed Petitioner to

seek legal advice. Among the resources available to assist

self-represented litigants, the district court may provide

contact information for the District Court Access to Justice

Rooms and Self-Help Centers, where Petitioner may schedule an

appointment with a volunteer attorney to discuss his case. The

2 contact information is posted on the Judiciary's website:

https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/access_to_jus

tice_rooms_self_help_centers [https://perma.cc/RM2A-LM8S]. In

addition, for assistance completing forms, Petitioner may

contact the District Court Service Center at Kauikeaouli Hale,

1111 Alakea Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, Ph. 808-538-5629.

It is ordered:

1. The petition is denied.

2. The appellate clerk shall process the petition without

payment of the filing fee, and the filing fees collected in this

proceeding shall be refunded.

DATED: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, July 24, 2026.

/s/ Vladimir P. Devens

/s/ Sabrina S. McKenna

/s/ Todd W. Eddins

/s/ Lisa M. Ginoza

/s/ Michael K. Soong