Haw. Rev. Stat. § 480 § 480-2
Unfair competition, practices, declared unlawful.
Operative Text
(a) Unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce are unlawful. (b) In construing this section, the courts and the office of consumer protection shall give due consideration to the rules, regulations, and decisions of the Federal Trade Commission and the federal courts interpreting section 5(a)(1) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)(1)), as from time to time amended. (c) No showing that the proceeding or suit would be in the public interest (as these terms are interpreted under section 5(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act) is necessary in any action brought under this section. (d) No person other than a consumer, the attorney general or the director of the office of consumer protection may bring an action based upon unfair or deceptive acts or practices declared unlawful by this section. (e) Any person may bring an action based on unfair methods of competition declared unlawful by this section. [L 1965, c 129, pt of §1; Supp, §205A-1.1; HRS §480-2; am L 1987, c 274, §2; am L 1988, c 51, §1; am L 2002, c 229, §2]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 480-2 declares unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in trade or commerce to be unlawful. Courts and the Office of Consumer Protection are directed to look to Federal Trade Commission rules and federal court interpretations of the FTC Act as guidance when applying this provision. The statute distinguishes between two types of claims: actions based on deceptive practices may only be brought by consumers, the attorney general, or the director of the Office of Consumer Protection, while actions based on unfair methods of competition may be brought by any person.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Hawaii should be aware that § 480-2 prohibits unfair or deceptive acts and practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce, a standard that can apply to rental housing transactions such as advertising, lease terms, and fee disclosures. Compliant operators generally ensure that all representations made to prospective and current tenants are accurate, transparent, and not misleading. Because courts interpreting § 480-2 look to FTC standards and federal precedent, operators familiar with those benchmarks are better positioned to understand what conduct may be scrutinized.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 480-2, tenants who believe they have experienced unfair or deceptive acts or practices in a rental housing context may have standing to bring a private action as consumers, or may file a complaint with the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection or the attorney general's office. The provision does not require a showing that the action serves the broader public interest, which can lower a procedural barrier for individual complainants. Tenants encountering potential violations may wish to document relevant communications and consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand which enforcement path 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.
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