Haw. Rev. Stat. § 356D § 356D-91
Definitions.
Operative Text
As used in this part unless the context otherwise requires: "Party" means each person or agency named or admitted as a party or properly seeking and entitled as of right to be admitted as a party in any court or agency proceeding. "Public housing project" or "complex" means a low-income federally assisted housing project as established by the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, and controlled, owned, developed, or managed by the authority pursuant to the federal low-rent public housing program. "Tenant" means any person occupying a dwelling accommodation or living quarters in any public housing project, under or by virtue of any tenancy, lease, or rental agreement under or from the authority. [L 2006, c 180, pt of §2; am L 2007, c 249, §36]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 356D-91 establishes the foundational definitions used throughout this part of Hawaii's public housing law. It clarifies who qualifies as a 'party' in legal or agency proceedings, what constitutes a 'public housing project' or 'complex' under the federal low-rent program, and who is considered a 'tenant' in that context. These definitions set the scope for how the surrounding provisions apply and who they cover.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 356D-91, the Hawaii Public Housing Authority operates as the controlling entity for public housing projects or complexes as defined in this section. Compliant operators of federally assisted low-income housing under this framework ensure that tenancy arrangements—whether through a lease, rental agreement, or other occupancy arrangement—are documented in ways consistent with the authority's requirements. Understanding these definitions helps housing managers correctly identify which residents and proceedings fall under the rules established in this part of the statute.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 356D-91 defines who qualifies as a 'tenant' under Hawaii's public housing law, which includes anyone occupying a dwelling in a public housing project under a tenancy, lease, or rental agreement with the authority. This definition matters because it determines who is entitled to the rights and protections established elsewhere in this part of the statute. Residents who believe they qualify as tenants under this definition may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Hawaii public housing rules to understand how these protections apply to their situation.
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 Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation