Haw. Rev. Stat. § 356D § 356D-56.1
Disposition of abandoned or seized property.
Operative Text
(a) The authority may sell, donate, or otherwise dispose of property abandoned or seized in or around any state low-income housing project upon compliance with the requirements of this section. (b) The authority shall send notice by certified mail, at least five calendar days prior to disposition of the abandoned or seized property, to the address of the owner of the property abandoned or seized if the owner is known or can be determined. The notice shall apprise the owner of the identity and location of the property abandoned or seized and of the intent of the authority to sell, donate, or otherwise dispose of the property. If the identity or the address of the owner is unknown or cannot be determined, the notice shall be posted on the premises on which the property was abandoned or seized. (c) If the abandoned or seized property has an estimated value of $500 or more per item, the authority shall also give public notice of the disposition at least once statewide or in a publication of local circulation in the county in which the property was abandoned or seized; provided that the disposition shall not take place fewer than five days after the notice of intent to dispose of the property. The value of the items shall be estimated at the discretion of the authority. (d) The sale of abandoned or seized property having an estimated value of $500 or more per item as estimated at the discretion of the authority shall be by public auction through oral offers in the county in which the property was abandoned or seized. If no bid is received, the property may be disposed of as the authority deems appropriate. (e) Any person entitled to the abandoned or seized property may repossess the property prior to its disposition upon proof of entitlement and payment of all unpaid rent, debts, charges, and fines owed to the authority and all handling, storage (not less than $25 per day), appraisal, advertising, and any other expenses incurred in connection with the proposed disposition of the abandoned or seized property. (f) The requirement of public notice and public auction pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) shall not apply when the value of the abandoned or seized property is less than $500 per item. Such property may be disposed of as the authority deems appropriate. (g) The proceeds of the sale of abandoned or seized property, after deduction of all unpaid rent, debts, charges, and fines owed to the authority, and all expenses of handling, storage, appraisal, advertising, and other sale expenses, shall be first offset against any amounts owed by the owner to the State. Any amount remaining shall be held in trust for the owner of the property for thirty days, after which time the proceeds shall be paid into the authority's appropriate special fund. (h) The State, its officers, employees, and agents shall not be liable to the owner of abandoned or seized property for actions taken pursuant to this section. [L 2013, c 147, §1]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 356D-56.1 establishes the process by which the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (the authority) may handle property that has been abandoned or seized in or around state low-income housing projects. Before disposing of any such property, the authority must provide advance notice—by certified mail to known owners or by posting on the premises if the owner is unknown—at least five calendar days before disposition. Items estimated at $500 or more per item require additional public notice and must be sold through a public auction, while lower-value items may be disposed of as the authority sees fit. Proceeds from any sale are applied first to outstanding debts owed to the authority and the State, with any remainder held in trust for the owner for thirty days before being deposited into the authority's special fund.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 356D-56.1, operators and managers of state low-income housing projects administered by the authority follow a structured process when dealing with abandoned or seized property on the premises. Compliant operators send certified mail notice to known property owners at least five calendar days before any planned disposition, and post notice on-site when the owner's identity or address cannot be determined. For items estimated at $500 or more, compliant operators also arrange public notice and a public auction, carefully document all handling, storage, appraisal, and advertising costs, and apply sale proceeds against outstanding rent and debts before holding any remainder in trust for the owner as required by the statute.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 356D-56.1 gives residents and other persons with a rightful claim to abandoned or seized property the opportunity to reclaim it before the authority disposes of it, provided they can prove entitlement and pay all outstanding rent, debts, charges, fines, and associated handling and storage costs (with storage fees set at no less than $25 per day). If property worth $500 or more per item is involved, the authority is required to provide public notice and hold a public auction, giving claimants additional time and visibility into the process. Tenants who believe their property has been improperly handled under § 356D-56.1 may wish to contact the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation directly, consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with state housing law, or seek guidance on whether a formal complaint or legal remedy is available.
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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