Haw. Rev. Stat. § 368 § 368-11
Complaint against unlawful discrimination.
Operative Text
(a) The commission shall have jurisdiction over the subject of discriminatory practices made unlawful by part I of chapter 489, chapter 515, part I of chapter 378, and this chapter; provided that the commission shall not have jurisdiction over claims within the scope of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, P.L. 101-476, as amended. Any individual claiming to be aggrieved by an alleged unlawful discriminatory practice may file with the commission's executive director a complaint in writing that shall state the name and address of the person or party alleged to have committed the unlawful discriminatory practice complained of, set forth the particulars thereof, and contain other information as may be required by the commission. The attorney general, or the commission upon its own initiative, may, in like manner, make and file a complaint. (b) A complaint may be filed on behalf of a class by the attorney general or the commission, and a complaint so filed may be investigated, conciliated, heard, and litigated on a class action basis. (c) No complaint shall be filed after the expiration of one hundred eighty days after the date: (1) Upon which the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice occurred; or (2) Of the last occurrence in a pattern of ongoing discriminatory practice. (d) For the purposes of this chapter "unlawful discriminatory practice" means an unfair discriminatory practice or like terms, as may be used in part I of chapter 489, chapter 515, or part I of chapter 378. [L 1989, c 386, pt of §1; am L 1991, c 252, §3; am L 2001, c 55, §17(2), (3); am L 2021, c 164, §3]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 368-11 establishes the process for filing a discrimination complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (HCRC). The Commission holds jurisdiction over unlawful discriminatory practices covered by several state statutes, including those addressing housing, employment, and public accommodations, though claims under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act fall outside its reach. Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the discriminatory act or the last occurrence in an ongoing pattern of discrimination. The Commission or the Attorney General may also initiate complaints independently, including on a class-wide basis.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 368-11, property owners and managers should be aware that the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission has authority to investigate housing-related discrimination complaints filed under Chapter 515 and related statutes. A compliant operator generally maintains clear, consistent, and non-discriminatory policies in tenant screening, lease terms, and property management practices to avoid becoming the subject of a written complaint. Operators familiar with this provision understand that complaints can be initiated not only by aggrieved individuals but also by the Attorney General or the Commission itself, meaning enforcement is not solely dependent on a tenant taking action.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 368-11, tenants who believe they have experienced unlawful housing discrimination in Hawaii have the right to file a written complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission's executive director. The complaint must identify the party alleged to have engaged in the discriminatory practice and describe the relevant details, and it must generally be filed within 180 days of the discriminatory act or the last event in an ongoing pattern. Tenants exploring this path may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with the HCRC process to understand how the complaint, investigation, and conciliation procedures work.
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
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