HRS 0626-0001-0610 ANNOTATIONS
RULE 610 COMMENTARY
This rule is identical with Fed. R. Evid. 610, the Advisory Committee's Note to which says:
While the rule forecloses inquiry into the religious beliefs or opinions of a witness for the purpose of showing that his character for truthfulness is affected by their nature, an inquiry for the purpose of showing interest or bias because of them is not within the prohibition. Thus disclosure of affiliation with a church which is a party to the litigation would be allowable under the rule.
Case Notes
Trial court did not err in allowing witness to testify regarding witness's religious beliefs where prosecution did not inquire into witness's religious beliefs for the purpose of enhancing witness's credibility but was instead seeking to establish why witness did not murder person defendant sought to have witness murder. 99 H. 390, 56 P.3d 692.