Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515 § 515-16
Other discriminatory practices.
Operative Text
It is a discriminatory practice for a person, or for two or more persons to conspire: (1) To retaliate, threaten, or discriminate against a person because of the exercise or enjoyment of any right granted or protected by this chapter, or because the person has opposed a discriminatory practice, or because the person has made a charge, filed a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this chapter; (2) To aid, abet, incite, or coerce a person to engage in a discriminatory practice; (3) To interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of any right granted or protected by this chapter or with the performance of a duty or the exercise of a power by the commission; (4) To obstruct or prevent a person from complying with this chapter or an order issued pursuant to this chapter; (5) To intimidate or threaten any person engaging in activities designed to make other persons aware of, or encouraging such other persons to exercise rights granted or protected by this chapter; (6) To threaten, intimidate or interfere with persons in their enjoyment of a housing accommodation because of the race, sex, including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, color, religion, marital status, familial status, ancestry, disability, age, or human immunodeficiency virus infection of the persons, or of visitors or associates of the persons; or (7) To print, circulate, post, or mail, or cause to be published a statement, advertisement, or sign, or to use a form of application for a real estate transaction, or to make a record or inquiry in connection with a prospective real estate transaction, that indicates, directly or indirectly, an intent to make a limitation or specification, or to discriminate because of race, sex, including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, color, religion, marital status, familial status, ancestry, disability, age, or human immunodeficiency virus infection. [L 1967, c 193, §16; HRS §515-16; am L 1982, c 204, §8; gen ch 1985; am L 1989, c 386, §15; am L 1992, c 171, §10; am L 1993, c 140, §3; am L 2011, c 31, §4]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 515-16 identifies a broad set of secondary discriminatory practices that go beyond direct housing discrimination. The provision makes it unlawful for any person—or group of persons acting together—to retaliate against, intimidate, threaten, obstruct, or assist others in discriminating against people who have exercised or supported fair housing rights. It also prohibits publishing or circulating any statement, advertisement, or application that signals an intent to discriminate based on protected characteristics such as race, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, familial status, or HIV status.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Hawaii's fair housing framework should be aware that § 515-16 extends liability well beyond the act of refusing to rent. Compliant operators avoid any conduct—including verbal threats, written communications, or advertising—that could be read as retaliatory or as discouraging tenants from asserting their rights. Rental applications, listings, and internal records are reviewed to ensure they contain no language that directly or indirectly signals a preference or limitation based on any protected characteristic named in this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515-16, tenants are protected not only from direct discrimination but also from retaliation or intimidation for having complained about, opposed, or participated in proceedings related to discriminatory practices. If a landlord threatens, harasses, or otherwise interferes with a tenant's enjoyment of housing after the tenant has exercised fair housing rights, that conduct itself may constitute a separate violation of this section. Tenants who believe they have experienced such retaliation or interference may consider filing a complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about available remedies.
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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