East Honolulu's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In East Honolulu, Hawaii, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Rent Control

East Honolulu has no rent control. Neither Honolulu nor Hawaii caps residential rent increases; landlord-tenant relations fall under HRS Chapter 521, the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code.

Key details: City Rent Cap: None. State Rent Cap: None. Governing Law: HRS Chapter 521. Notice to Raise: 45 days (month-to-month). Fixed-Term: No mid-term raises.

Landlords still must follow HRS 521 notice rules; improper notice or retaliatory raises can be challenged in court.

East Honolulu is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rent control. That said, there are still limits.

Just Cause Eviction

East Honolulu has no just-cause eviction requirement. Month-to-month tenancies can be terminated with 45 days' notice under state landlord-tenant law, with longer notice for special conversions.

Key details: Landlord Notice: 45 days (month-to-month). Tenant Notice: 28 days. Special Conversions: 120 days' notice. Holdover Rent: Up to 2x monthly. Governing Law: HRS Sec. 521-71.

Improper notice or self-help eviction can result in damages, restoration orders, and attorney's fees under HRS 521.

The rules around just cause eviction in East Honolulu lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Rental Registration

East Honolulu has no long-term rental registry, but short-term and transient rentals must register annually with DPP and are largely limited to resort-zoned areas.

Key details: Long-Term Registry: None. STR Law: LUO Sec. 21-5.730. Initial Fee: $1,000 annually. Renewal Fee: $500 annually. Minimum Rental: 90 days outside resort.

Unregistered short-term rentals face DPP fines, which can reach thousands of dollars per day per violation.

This is one of the stricter rules in East Honolulu's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, East Honolulu gives residents more room on rental property rules. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that East Honolulu can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.