Hawaii Housing Resources & Tenant Rights

Hawaii’s landlord-tenant rules come from the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 521). Two recent laws help renters: Act 310 (2022) protects you from discrimination for using a Section 8 voucher, and Act 278 (2025) now lets a tenant request mediation before a nonpayment eviction. There’s no rent control, but the Code caps deposits and requires long notice for increases. This page covers the framework, your deposit rights, and how eviction works.

Public Housing & Vouchers in Hawaii

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing in Hawaii are run by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) and county offices (such as the City and County of Honolulu and Hawaii County housing programs). To find the authority that serves you, use HUD’s PHA directory or read how to find your PHA. Each keeps its own waitlist, so apply to several. For income-restricted apartments, search HUD’s LIHTC database or read how to find LIHTC housing. With Hawaii’s high housing costs, vouchers and income-restricted units are in heavy demand — apply early and widely.

Source of Income Protection (Act 310)

Act 310, effective May 1, 2023, makes it a discriminatory practice for many landlords to refuse a tenant because they participate in a housing assistance program such as Section 8. A landlord can’t advertise against voucher holders, discourage them from applying, or impose different rental conditions. One limit: landlords who own four or fewer dwelling units in the state are exempt, so the smallest landlords may still decline a voucher. Complaints go to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission at (808) 586-8636. See our source-of-income protections guide.

Rent Control & Rent-Increase Notice

Hawaii has no rent control, so there is no legal cap on how much rent can rise. But the Code requires long notice: at least 45 days’ written notice for a month-to-month tenancy (15 days for a tenancy shorter than monthly). An increase made to retaliate against you for asserting your rights is illegal.

Pre-Eviction Mediation (Act 278)

As of February 5, 2026, Act 278 (a statewide two-year pilot) gives tenants the right to mediation before an eviction for nonpayment of rent. Your landlord’s nonpayment notice must include mediation information, and if you request mediation within 10 days of the notice, the case goes to a state-funded mediation center before the landlord can file. Mediation is a chance to work out a payment plan or catch up on rent and avoid an eviction record. If you get a nonpayment notice, request mediation within 10 days and bring documentation of your income and any assistance you’ve applied for.

Emergency Rental Assistance in Hawaii

• Dial 211 (Aloha United Way) for the current list of rental, deposit, and eviction-prevention funds near you
• Community Action agencies on each island administer rental and utility assistance
• LIHEAP helps with electricity and energy bills — see utility assistance programs
• Catholic Charities Hawaii and other nonprofits run emergency funds; 211 keeps the current list

See our emergency rental assistance guide for how these programs work.

Hawaii Tenant Law: Key Protections at a Glance

Security deposits

A Hawaii landlord may not collect more than one month’s rent as a security deposit. After the rental agreement ends, the landlord must return the deposit within 14 days, along with an itemized statement of any deductions for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear. Document the unit’s condition at move-in and move-out, and read how to recover your security deposit.

Eviction process & how long it takes

Self-help eviction is illegal — a landlord cannot change the locks or shut off utilities and must go through the District Court. The sequence:

• Notice: for nonpayment, a 10-day notice to pay or quit; for a lease violation, a 10-day notice to cure; for a month-to-month termination, 45 days
• Mediation: under Act 278, if you request mediation within 10 days the landlord must wait before filing a nonpayment case
• Complaint filed in District Court; you are served and given a hearing date
• Hearing and judgment: appear and raise defenses; if the landlord wins, a writ of possession issues and an officer carries out the removal

With the mediation step and the court process, a Hawaii eviction commonly takes about one to two months. Get help from the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (1-800-499-4302), and read how to avoid eviction.

Other Housing Programs in Hawaii

• HUD-VASH (veterans) — a voucher paired with VA case management; see how to apply for HUD-VASH
• Permanent Supportive Housing & rapid re-housing — access through Coordinated Entry by calling 211
• Eviction prevention — our eviction prevention hub explains what to do before your court date

Where to Get Help in Hawaii

Tenant help & legal aid: the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (1-800-499-4302) handles eviction and housing cases statewide; the state’s Landlord/Tenant Hotline ((808) 586-2634) answers questions.

Source-of-income / discrimination: the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission ((808) 586-8636) enforces Act 310 and fair-housing law.

Find your local PHA: HUD’s PHA directory or our how to find your PHA guide.

211 helpline: dial 2-1-1 or visit auw211.org for rental help, shelters, and utility assistance.

HUD fair housing: file at hud.gov/reporthousingdiscrimination or call 1-800-669-9777.

Next Steps

Not sure where to start? Our Where to Start tool routes you to the right mix of programs in about two minutes.

If a landlord refused your voucher, that’s illegal under Act 310 — contact the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission ((808) 586-8636). If you have a nonpayment notice, take the mediation offer and call the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. Read eviction prevention for next moves.