What is the difference between Land Court System and Regular System at the Bureau of Conveyances?
There are two systems of recording in the State of Hawaii. Regular System basically serves to give “notice” that something is on record. Documents recorded in the Regular System are numbered. Prior to 1990, documents were identified by a book and page reference, i.e. Book 224, Page 334. Since 1990, documents recorded are identified by the year followed by the sequential number of recording, i.e. 90-0001234. Administration of this activity is governed by Chapter 502 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Because of confusion determining land ownership, similar names, etc., Land Court was established in 1903 and functions as a registration system for land ownership. Certificate of titles are issued to owners of land registered in Land Court and documents are identified currently by a seven digit number. Number to the Certificate of Title and document run in sequence from the first issuance in 1903. Unlike Regular System property, ownership in Land Court is guaranteed by the State of Hawaii. Tho
