Haw. Rev. Stat. § 368 § 368-12
Notice of right to sue.
Operative Text
The commission may issue a notice of right to sue upon written request of the complainant. Within ninety days after receipt of a notice of right to sue, the complainant may bring a civil action under this chapter. The commission may intervene in a civil action brought pursuant to this chapter if the case is of general importance. [L 1989, c 386, pt of §1]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 368-12 establishes a process by which the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission can issue a formal notice of right to sue when a complainant requests it in writing. Once that notice is issued, the complainant has a 90-day window to file a civil lawsuit under Chapter 368. The Commission retains the authority to step into any such civil action if it determines the case carries broader public significance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 368-12, a complainant who has filed a discrimination-related complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission may request a right-to-sue notice and subsequently pursue civil litigation within 90 days. Property owners and managers operating under Chapter 368 should be aware that a civil suit can follow a Commission complaint, and that the Commission itself may intervene if it views the matter as broadly important. Operators generally maintain thorough documentation of their policies and practices so they are prepared to respond to any civil action that may arise.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 368-12 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes gives complainants the ability to request a right-to-sue notice directly from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, opening a path to civil court independent of the Commission's own investigative process. Once the notice is received, there is a strict 90-day period within which a civil action under Chapter 368 must be initiated. Tenants who believe they have a housing discrimination claim may wish to contact the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission or a tenant-rights organization to better understand how this notice process fits into the broader options available under Chapter 368.
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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