Insufficient Evidence Claim on Appeal In Hawaii

On appeal, the test for a claim of insufficient evidence is whether, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, there is substantial evidence to support the conclusion of the trier of fact. State v. Ildefonso, 72 Haw. 573, 576, 827 P.2d 648, 651 (1992); State v. Tamura, 63 Haw. 636, 637, 633 P.2d 1115, 1117 (1981). "'It matters not if a conviction under the evidence as so considered might be deemed to be against the weight of the evidence so long as there is substantial evidence tending to support the requisite findings for the conviction.'" Ildefonso, 72 Haw. at 576-77, 827 P.2d at 651 (quoting Tamura, 63 Haw. at 637, 633 P.2d at 1117). "'Substantial evidence' ... is credible evidence which is of sufficient quality and probative value to enable a man of reasonable caution to reach a conclusion." See id. 72 Haw. at 577, 827 P.2d at 651 (quoting State v. Naeole, 62 Haw. 563, 565, 617 P.2d 820, 823 (1980)). State v. Matias, 74 Haw. 197, 207, 840 P.2d 374, 379 (1992). "Furthermore, 'it is well-settled that an appellate court will not pass upon issues dependent upon the credibility of witnesses and the weight of the evidence.'" Tachibana, 79 Haw. at 239, 900 P.2d at 1306.