Hawaii Tenant Rights Guide

Last updated: April 2026

Hawaii has one of the strongest statewide tenant protection frameworks in the country (HRS Chapter 521). Security deposits are capped at 1 month’s rent, landlords must provide 28–45 days notice to terminate, and tenants have strong habitability rights. No active rent control currently exists. Effective February 5, 2026, Act 278 (2025) requires landlords to give at least 10 calendar days written notice to pay or vacate for nonpayment of rent (HRS § 521-68) and establishes a free pre-filing eviction mediation program (running through February 4, 2028) that a tenant may invoke within the 10-day window to delay a summary-possession filing.

Hawaii at a Glance

Rent control: None
Statewide rent cap: None — landlords can raise rent by any amount
Preemption: Hawaii has a framework for local rent control under HRS § 666-20 but Honolulu does not have an active rent control ordinance. Maui County had a temporary rent freeze during COVID, now expired.

What Protections Hawaii Tenants Do Have

Even without rent control, Hawaii law gives renters meaningful rights in these areas:

Security Deposit

Capped at 1 month’s rent. Must be returned within 14 days of move-out with itemized statement. Wrongful withholding entitles tenant to 3× the amount withheld (HRS § 521-44).

Notice to Terminate

To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord must give the tenant at least 45 days written notice; a tenant must give the landlord at least 28 days written notice (HRS § 521-71).

Habitability

Strong implied warranty of habitability. Tenants may withhold rent or terminate the lease for serious habitability failures (HRS § 521-62).

Anti-Retaliation

Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations or exercising legal rights (HRS § 521-74.5).

Eviction

Landlords must provide written notice and obtain a court order before removing a tenant. Self-help eviction is prohibited (HRS § 521-63).

Check your address to see what tenant protections apply to your rental.

Major Cities in Hawaii

Ewa Gentry — No rent control; Hawaii state protections apply.
Hilo — No rent control; Hawaii state law applies.
Honolulu — No active rent control; Hawaii state law (HRS Chapter 521) applies.
Kailua — No rent control; Hawaii state protections apply.
Kaneohe — No rent control; Hawaii state protections apply.
Pearl City — No rent control; Hawaii state law applies.
Urban Honolulu CDP — No rent control; Hawaii state protections apply.
Waipahu — No rent control; Hawaii state protections apply.

Hawaii Tenant Resources

These organizations offer free or low-cost help to Hawaii renters:

Legal Aid Society of Hawaii — Free civil legal aid for low-income Hawaii residents, including eviction defense and tenant rights.
Hawaii Appleseed Center — Housing policy advocacy and tenant resources for Hawaii renters.
Hawaii AG – Consumer Protection — State resources for housing complaints and tenant guidance.

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