Haw. Rev. Stat. § 356D § 356D-6.5
Prohibition on smoking in and around public housing; designated smoking areas.
Operative Text
(a) Smoking shall be prohibited in any public housing project, elder or elderly housing, as defined in section 356D-1, or state low-income housing project, as defined in section 356D-51, within: (1) Each individual housing unit; (2) All common areas; (3) Community facilities; and (4) Twenty-five feet from each individual building and each administrative office building of the public housing project, elder or elderly housing, or state low-income housing project, and from any entrance, exit, window, and ventilation intake that serves an enclosed or partially enclosed area. (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the authority may designate one or more permissible smoking areas at least twenty-five feet away from any residential or other building, or any greater distance away as may ensure that the secondhand smoke does not infiltrate any dwelling unit or office. (c) The authority shall place and maintain "No smoking" signage at all entrances and exits of the property. The authority may display additional "No smoking" signage at residential and community facilities at their entrances and exits, offices, and in or at enclosed, partially enclosed, or open common areas for the purpose of conspicuous notice. (d) The authority may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to effectuate the purposes of this section. (e) For purposes of this section: "Common areas" means roofs, halls, sidewalks, corridors, lobbies, stairs, stairways, fire escapes, entrances and exits of the building or buildings, basements, yards, gardens, recreational facilities, parking areas, storage spaces, and other parts of the project or household normally in common use or other areas designated by the authority. "Smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated tobacco product or plant product intended for inhalation in any manner or in any form. [L 2014, c 91, §1; am L 2018, c 127, §1]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 356D-6.5 establishes a comprehensive smoke-free policy for state public housing, elder housing, and low-income housing projects. Smoking is banned inside every individual unit, all common areas, community facilities, and within 25 feet of any building, entrance, exit, window, or ventilation intake. The housing authority retains the option to designate specific outdoor smoking areas, provided they are at least 25 feet from any building and positioned so that secondhand smoke cannot drift into any dwelling or office. Required 'No Smoking' signage must be posted at all property entrances and exits.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and managers of public housing covered by § 356D-6.5 are generally expected to enforce a complete indoor smoking ban across all units, common areas, and community facilities, as well as maintain a 25-foot smoke-free buffer around all buildings. Compliant operators post and maintain 'No Smoking' signs at every entrance and exit, and may add additional signage at residential buildings, offices, and common areas. If a designated smoking area is established under § 356D-6.5(b), it is sited at least 25 feet from any building and at a distance sufficient to prevent secondhand smoke infiltration into any unit or office.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of Hawaii public housing, elder housing, or state low-income housing covered by § 356D-6.5 have a right to a smoke-free living environment inside their unit, in all common areas, and within 25 feet of their building. If smoking is occurring in prohibited areas, tenants may report the issue to the housing authority, which is responsible for enforcement and signage under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can help residents understand how § 356D-6.5 applies to their housing situation and what complaint processes may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 23, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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