Haw. Rev. Stat. § 368F § 368F-2
Discriminatory practices in a rental transaction based on source of income.
Operative Text
It shall be a discriminatory practice for a landlord to: (1) Indicate in any manner used to advertise the availability of a rental property that the landlord will not rent a property to a person participating in a housing assistance program; (2) Discourage in any manner a person from seeking to engage in a rental transaction based on the person's participation in a housing assistance program; (3) Refuse to engage in a rental transaction with a person because of the person's participation in a housing assistance program or requirements related to participation in a housing assistance program; or (4) Require rental conditions that are different from those required for a person not participating in a housing assistance program. [L 2022, c 310, pt of §2]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 368F-2 prohibits landlords from discriminating against prospective or current tenants on the basis of their participation in a housing assistance program. The law covers a broad range of conduct, including advertising that signals unwillingness to rent to voucher or subsidy holders, discouraging applicants from applying, outright refusal to rent, and imposing different rental conditions on assisted tenants. In effect, participation in a housing assistance program—such as a Section 8 housing choice voucher—is a protected characteristic under Hawaii's rental housing law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 368F-2, compliant property owners and managers generally ensure that all advertising, screening criteria, and lease terms are applied uniformly regardless of whether an applicant participates in a housing assistance program. This means avoiding language in listings such as 'no vouchers' or 'no Section 8,' and applying the same qualification standards—income thresholds, credit checks, and lease conditions—to all applicants. Operators familiar with this provision typically review their advertising templates and application procedures to confirm they do not inadvertently signal a preference against assisted applicants.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
§ 368F-2 gives renters in Hawaii the right to be evaluated for housing without regard to their participation in a housing assistance program, and protects them from being steered away, refused, or subjected to different lease terms on that basis. Tenants who believe a landlord has violated this provision may have the option of filing a complaint with Hawaii's civil rights enforcement body or raising the violation through other available legal channels. Tenant-rights organizations in Hawaii can help individuals understand what documentation to gather and what remedies may be available under this source-of-income protection.
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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