Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515 § 515-20
Prima facie evidence.
Operative Text
In a proceeding under this chapter, a written, printed, or visual communication, advertisement, or other form of publication, or written inquiry, or record, or other document purporting to have been made by a person is prima facie evidence that it was authorized by the person. [L 1967, c 193, §20; HRS §515-20; gen ch 1985]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 515-20 establishes an evidentiary rule for fair housing proceedings brought under Chapter 515. Under this rule, any written, printed, or visual communication—such as an advertisement, inquiry, record, or other document—that appears to have been made by a person is treated as presumptive evidence that the person authorized it. This shifts the initial burden in a proceeding: the document itself can establish authorization without additional proof, though the presumption can be rebutted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515-20, any advertisement, written inquiry, or other document that appears to originate from a property owner or manager can be used as prima facie evidence of that owner's or manager's authorization in a fair housing proceeding. Compliant operators generally maintain careful oversight of all written and visual communications—including listings, application forms, and correspondence—to ensure that nothing published or distributed under their name could suggest discriminatory intent or policy. Operators typically review materials produced by agents or staff, since those documents may also be attributed to the principal under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515-20 can be a meaningful tool in fair housing proceedings under Chapter 515, because a discriminatory advertisement, written denial, or other document bearing a landlord's name may itself serve as prima facie evidence that the landlord authorized it. Tenants who believe they have experienced housing discrimination may find it useful to preserve copies of any written, printed, or visual communications they received, as such records can carry evidentiary weight in a formal proceeding. General enforcement paths include filing a complaint with a relevant fair housing agency or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Hawaii's Chapter 515 framework.
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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