The Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Code, Chapter 521 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) prohibits from a landlord from taking the following actions against a tenant:
Unlawful Removal or Exclusion
If the landlord removes or excludes the tenant from the premises without cause or a court order, for example, by a lockout, then the tenant may recover possession or terminate the rental agreement. In either case, the tenant can recover an amount equal to two month’s rent or free occupancy for two months, and the cost of suit, including reasonable attorney’s fees.
However, if the court determines that the landlord was with cause or was authorized by a court order, then the court may award the landlord the cost of the suit, including reasonable attorney’s fees, so long as the attorney is not a salaried employee of the landlord.
Section 63
Return to Hawaii Landlord-Tenant Laws.