Haw. Rev. Stat. § 506-4
The mortgage shall operate only as a contract between the parties with respect to, and shall not create a lien upon, any recorded mortgage or lease, unless and until a specific reference to the mortgage or lease in the manner contemplated by section 502-33 is contained in an instrument or affidavit executed by the mortgagor or mortgagee and duly recorded in the bureau of conveyances at Honolulu.
HRS § 506-4
Law Journals and Reviews
Later mortgagee having actual notice of earlier mortgage is not entitled to priority merely because earlier mortgage omitted book and page references required by § 502-33. Haw Supp, 4 HBJ, Nov 1966, at 30.
Ambiguity in mortgage should be resolved against drafter, particularly where interests of a party not privy to the mortgage contract are sought to be encumbered. 62 H. 188, 613 P.2d 1315.