Haw. Rev. Stat. § 516 § 516-72
Civil penalty.
Operative Text
Failure to furnish disclosures substantially complying with the requirements of section 516-71 shall entitle the buyer to the recovery of a civil penalty of $1,000 in any proceeding at law brought within one year of the violation and the violator shall be liable further for the actual damages of the buyer, if any, reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs. [L 1991, c 276, §4]
Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 516-72, when a seller fails to provide disclosures that substantially comply with the requirements of § 516-71, the buyer gains the right to pursue a civil penalty of $1,000 through a legal proceeding. The buyer may also recover any actual damages suffered, along with reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs. This legal action must be initiated within one year of the violation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and sellers subject to Haw. Rev. Stat. § 516-72 generally ensure that all disclosures required under § 516-71 are prepared carefully and delivered in a manner that substantially meets statutory requirements before any transaction is completed. Maintaining thorough documentation of disclosure delivery helps demonstrate compliance if a dispute arises. Failure to meet these standards exposes the seller to a $1,000 civil penalty, actual buyer damages, attorneys' fees, and court costs.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 516-72, buyers who did not receive disclosures substantially complying with § 516-71 have the right to pursue a $1,000 civil penalty, actual damages, attorneys' fees, and court costs through a legal proceeding. This right must be exercised within one year of the violation, so being aware of the timeline is important. Tenant-rights organizations or a licensed attorney familiar with Hawaii real estate law can help buyers understand what options may be available to them.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation