LibGuides: Hawai`i Landlord -Tenant Law: Getting Help

Residential Landlord-Tenant Center, Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection

Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Days: Monday through Friday (except State holidays)

Oahu: 586-2634

From the neighbor islands (toll free):

Big Island: 974-4000, ext. 62634
Kauai: 274-3141, ext. 62634
Maui: 984-2400, ext. 62634 (from Maui)
Molokai & Lanai: 1-800-468-4644, ext. 62634

Find an Attorney

Lawyer Referral and Information Service (Hawaii State Bar Association) Since a landlord-tenant case involves disagreements between yourself and another individual or business, your case is civil. The Lawyer Referral and Information Service is sponsored by the Hawai`i State Bar Association, and is a free service that provides names and contact information of attorneys who handle civil cases. While the referral service is free, you will need to make your own fee arrangement with the lawyer. Phone: (808) 537-9140
Volunteer Legal Services of Hawai`i This non-profit organization will help with landlord-tenant problems. Phone: O`ahu - (808) 528-7046 Neighbor Islands toll-free - 1-800-839-5200
Legal Aid Society of Hawai`i This non-profit organization will help with landlord-tenant problems. Phone: O`ahu - (808) 536-4302; Neighbor Islands toll-free - 1-800-499-4302

Mediation

If you wish to settle your dispute without going to court and without using lawyers, both parties can meet with a mediator from a community mediation center.

Oahu

Mediation Center of the Pacific
245 North Kukui Street, Suite 206
Honolulu, Hawai`i 96817
Telephone: (808) 521-6767
Fax: (808) 538-1454
www.mediatehawaii.org

Hawai'i

Ku`ikahi Mediation Center
101 Aupuni Street, Suite PH 1014 B-2
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Telephone: (808) 935-7844
Fax: (808) 961-9727
www.hawaiimediation.org

Maui

Maui Mediation Services
J. Walter Cameron Center
95 Mahalani Street, Suite 25
Wailuku, Hawai`i 96793
Telephone: (808) 244-5744
Fax: (808) 249-0905
www.mauimediation.org

Hawai'i

West Hawai`i Mediation Center
P.O. Box 7020
Kamuela, Hawai`i 96743
Telephone: (808) 885-5525
Fax: (808) 887-0525
www.whmediation.org

Kaua'i

Kaua`i Economic Opportunity, Inc.
Mediation Program
2804 Wehe Road
Lihu`e, Hawai`i 96766
Telephone: (808) 245-4077
Fax: (808) 245-7476
www.keoinc.org

Hawaii Mediation Centers

Going to Court

All landlord-tenant cases are heard in Hawaii District Court. The District Courts have jurisdiction over:

Civil actions in which the debt, amount, damages, or value of the property claimed does not exceed $40,000 (but no jurisdiction over actions for libel, slander, defamation of character, malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, breach of promise of marriage, or seduction).
Summary possession (landlord-tenant) actions and related money damages claims and counterclaims, regardless of the amount claimed.
Small claims cases where the amount claimed does not exceed $5,000.
Petitions for temporary restraining orders (TROs) and injunctions against harassment involving parties who are not related to each other or in a dating relationship.
Petitions by tenants against landlords for restraining orders against lockout and utility shut-off.