I too would have served it in person. I'm reading some of the OBot posts at FogButt, they are looking for the Hawaiian laws that covers serving subpoenas.
ButtFly Bilderberg - "The subpoena has to be served in accordance with the law in Hawaii. Some states require process servers be licensed and bonded, and registered with an office of civil process commission to act as a process server. Does anyone know whether that is the case in Hawaii? "
The servers should stay in Hawaii for a little while to ensure she can serve it again or get a Hawaiian process server if something goes wrong. ;-)
Frankly, I find it very unlikely HI requires a certified/bonded/registered process server. I’m not familiar with various states’ laws; however, but this was issued by a federal court.
As far as I know, the server only has to be at least 18 y/o and not be a party or subject to benefit from the litigation. I don’t know about rules on service by mail.
This is the link for Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 45 (subpoena) an an extract on service, which confirms my suspicion about WHO can serve.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/Rule45.htm
(b) Service.
(1) By Whom; Tendering Fees; Serving a Copy of Certain Subpoenas.
Any person who is at least 18 years old and not a party may serve a subpoena. Serving a subpoena requires delivering a copy to the named person and, if the subpoena requires that person’s attendance, tendering the fees for 1 day’s attendance and the mileage allowed by law. Fees and mileage need not be tendered when the subpoena issues on behalf of the United States or any of its officers or agencies. If the subpoena commands the production of documents, electronically stored information, or tangible things or the inspection of premises before trial, then before it is served, a notice must be served on each party.