Hawaii HOA Laws 2026: §514B-104 Hearing, Solar Rights
State Summary
Got a Hawaii HOA fine? §514B-104 requires a hearing for condos and §196-7 voids solar bans. No $50/day cap myth. Know your rights — free defense guide.
Governing Law: Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 421J (Planned Community Associations) and Chapter 514B (Condominiums)
Researched by Brandon Sorensen
Hawaii regulates community associations through two statutes: Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 421J (Planned Community Associations Act) for planned communities and HOAs, and HRS Chapter 514B (Condominium Property Regimes) for condominiums. Hawaii also has strong, separate protections for solar energy systems and clotheslines.
An important correction about Hawaii: there is no $50-per-day statutory fine cap and no fixed statutory notice period for planned-community fines. Chapter 421J does not set a fine cap or a fining-hearing procedure — for planned communities, fine amounts and procedures come from your governing documents. For condominiums, HRS §514B-104 lets the association levy reasonable fines, but only after notice and an opportunity to be heard. Hawaii's strongest statutory protections are for solar (§196-7) and clotheslines (§196-8.5).
This guide covers everything you need to know about Hawaii HOA law: how to fight violations, your rights as a homeowner or unit owner, board obligations, and how fines and liens work. Use the sections below to find the information most relevant to your situation.
Max Fine
Set by CC&Rs; condos: reasonable
Aggregate Cap
No statutory cap
Notice Period
Condos: §514B-104. HOAs: per docs
Hearing
Condos: yes. HOAs: per documents
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What's Covered in This Hawaii HOA Guide
Hawaii HOA Laws & Homeowner Rights
Hawaii uses two statutes to regulate community associations. Understanding which applies to your community is essential. Chapter 421J — Planned Community Associations Act HRS Chapter 421J governs planned community associations (subdivisions, townhome communities, single-family…
Read the full Hawaii HOA laws guide →Hawaii HOA Fine Limits & Lien Procedures
A widespread myth is that Hawaii caps HOA fines at "$50 per day under §421J-6." That is not the law — §421J-6 is the "Robert's Rules of Order" provision, and Chapter 421J sets no fine cap. Here is how Hawaii fines actually work.
Read the full Hawaii HOA fine-limits guide →How to Fight an HOA Violation in Hawaii
Hawaii's fining rules differ sharply between condominiums and planned communities. For condominiums , HRS §514B-104 sets statutory due process; for planned communities under Chapter 421J, the procedure comes from your governing documents.
Read the full Hawaii dispute guide →Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaii HOA Laws
What is the maximum HOA fine in Hawaii?
Hawaii does not set a statutory dollar cap on HOA fines. For planned communities under Chapter 421J, fine amounts are set by the association's governing documents (there is no $50/day statutory cap — that is a common misconception). For condominiums under Chapter 514B, the association may levy reasonable fines under §514B-104, after notice and an opportunity to be heard. Courts can review fines for reasonableness.
Does Hawaii require a hearing before an HOA fine?
For condominiums, HRS §514B-104 allows reasonable fines either in accordance with the bylaws or — if the bylaws are silent — pursuant to a board resolution establishing a fining procedure that allows an appeal to the board with notice and an opportunity to be heard (and, if the fine is paid, the owner may initiate a dispute resolution process). For planned communities under Chapter 421J, there is no statutory fining-hearing requirement; whether notice and a hearing are required depends on your governing documents. (Note: §421J-6 is the "Robert's Rules of Order" provision, not a fining statute.)
What is the difference between Chapter 421J and Chapter 514B?
Chapter 421J (Planned Community Associations Act) governs planned communities — subdivisions, townhome communities, single-family HOAs. Chapter 514B (Condominium Property Regimes) governs condominiums and addresses unit-owner rights, board governance, assessments, liens, and dispute resolution. The two statutes have different rules; the condominium statute (514B) is the more detailed of the two on fines and procedures.
Can my Hawaii HOA foreclose on my home?
Yes, primarily for unpaid assessments. Both Chapter 421J (§421J-10.5) and Chapter 514B (§514B-146) give the association a lien for unpaid assessments that can be foreclosed. Hawaii allows judicial and nonjudicial (power-of-sale) foreclosure under HRS Chapter 667 — but a lien arising solely from fines, penalties, or late/legal fees must be foreclosed judicially (in court), not by power of sale.
Hawaii Violation Guides by Category
Explore detailed guides for specific violation types, including your rights, sample response letters, and appeal strategies.
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Official Hawaii sources
Primary government sources, so you can read the law yourself rather than take our summary for it. Links checked 2026-08-12.
- Governing statute
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 421J — Planned Community Associations (official state site)Condominiums are governed separately by HRS Chapter 514B. This link is the Legislature-run mirror; the canonical www.capitol.hawaii.gov host blocks automated checks.
- State agency with HOA jurisdiction
- None. The DCCA Real Estate Branch states in its own Condominium Governance FAQs that "The Commission has no authority or jurisdiction over homeowners associations/planned community associations or cooperatives," and that "Currently, there is no state government agency with jurisdiction, oversight or responsibility" of Chapter 421J. Disputes go to mediation, arbitration, or civil court.
- Consumer protection
- Hawaii DCCA Office of Consumer ProtectionHawaii routes consumer complaints to DCCA rather than the Attorney General, which publishes no consumer-protection page. OCP handles general consumer matters, not association governance.