A defect that is not inconsistent with substantial justice and does not affect the substantial rights of a party is harmless. See Bank of Hawaii v. Shinn, 120 Hawai'i 1, 20-21, 200 P.3d 370, 389-90 (2008); Paglinawan v. Rompel, CAAP-11-0000426, 2013 WL 1131604 at *1 (Haw. App. Mar. 18, 2013) (mem. op.) (holding that an error was harmless where another ground existed for the court's ruling); see also Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure (HRCP) Rule 61. Fraser's claim that the State was liable under respondeat superior for false imprisonment allegedly perpetrated by Read, is barred by sovereign immunity.