Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515 § 515-5
Discriminatory financial practices.
Operative Text
It is a discriminatory practice for a person, a representative of such person, or a real estate broker or salesperson, to whom an inquiry or application is made for financial assistance in connection with a real estate transaction or for the construction, rehabilitation, repair, maintenance, or improvement of real property, because of race, sex, including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, color, religion, marital status, familial status, ancestry, disability, age, or human immunodeficiency virus infection: (1) To discriminate against the applicant; (2) To use a form of application for financial assistance or to make or keep a record or inquiry in connection with applications for financial assistance that indicates, directly or indirectly, an intent to make a limitation, specification, or discrimination unless the records are required by federal law; (3) To discriminate in the making or purchasing of loans or the provision of other financial assistance for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling, or the making or purchasing of loans or the provision of other financial assistance secured by residential real estate; or (4) To discriminate in the selling, brokering, or appraising of residential real property. [L 1967, c 193, §5; HRS §515-5; am L 1971, c 124, §2; am L 1976, c 159, §5; am L 1989, c 391, §3; am L 1990, c 275, §5; am L 1992, c 33, §5 and c 171, §5; am L 2005, c 214, §5]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 515-5 prohibits discriminatory financial practices in real estate transactions. Specifically, it bars anyone involved in providing financial assistance—including lenders, brokers, and their representatives—from treating applicants differently based on protected characteristics such as race, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, HIV status, and several others. The prohibition covers the full range of financial activity, from loan origination and purchasing to appraisals and brokerage services, and also forbids using application forms or record-keeping practices that signal discriminatory intent.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners, managers, and real estate professionals who participate in financing, brokering, or appraising residential real estate should be aware that Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515-5 sets clear boundaries on how financial assistance decisions are made and documented. Compliant operators apply consistent, neutral criteria across all applicants regardless of protected characteristics, and they review their application forms and record-keeping systems to ensure nothing—directly or indirectly—reflects a discriminatory purpose. Professionals involved in appraisals or brokerage services similarly ensure their practices do not vary based on any of the protected classes enumerated in § 515-5.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 515-5 gives applicants for real estate financial assistance the right to be evaluated without regard to race, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, HIV status, or other listed characteristics. If a tenant or prospective buyer believes a lender, broker, or appraiser has violated this provision, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, raising the violation as a defense or counterclaim in relevant legal proceedings, or reaching out to a tenant-rights or fair-housing organization for guidance. Keeping records of communications, application materials, and any statements made during the process can be useful when pursuing any of these avenues under § 515-5.
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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