Haw. Rev. Stat. § 368F § 368F-1
Definitions.
Operative Text
As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise: "Housing assistance program" means a section 8 housing choice voucher program or any permanent supportive housing program. "Rental transaction" means any part of the process for the rental or lease of a premises for residential purposes. [L 2022, c 310, pt of §2]
Section 368F-1 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes establishes the foundational definitions for Chapter 368F, which governs housing-related protections. Under this provision, a 'housing assistance program' covers Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers as well as any permanent supportive housing program, while a 'rental transaction' broadly encompasses any step in the process of renting or leasing a residential property. These definitions set the scope for how the rest of Chapter 368F is interpreted and applied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Hawaii should be aware that under § 368F-1, the term 'rental transaction' is defined broadly to include any part of the rental or leasing process — from advertising and applications to lease signing. This means that protections established elsewhere in Chapter 368F may apply at multiple stages of the rental process, not just at the point of signing a lease. Operators who accept or interact with applicants using Section 8 vouchers or permanent supportive housing programs should understand that those programs fall within the statutory definition of 'housing assistance program.'
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants in Hawaii, § 368F-1 provides important context for the protections found throughout Chapter 368F by defining key terms. The broad definition of 'rental transaction' means that rights and protections under this chapter may apply at any stage of the rental process, including when you are searching, applying, or negotiating — not only after a lease is signed. Tenants who participate in Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs or permanent supportive housing programs are covered by the 'housing assistance program' definition, and tenant-rights organizations can help explain how these definitions affect the protections available under the chapter.
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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