Hawaii • Board dispute / records
Your Hawaii board won't share records or play fair — what are your rights?
A Hawaii board that stops sharing records, decides things behind closed doors, or runs questionable elections is frustrating partly because it's unclear what your rights are and who, if anyone, can help.
The short answer
Hawaii has a community-association regulator that can sometimes help: Hawaii Real Estate Commission (condominiums); DCCA. Owners still have records, meeting, and election rights under the governing documents and Hawaii law. CondoSignal reads your documents against Hawaii's rules to tell you where you stand. Free.Hawaii at a glance
State regulator
Yes
Hawaii Real Estate Commission (condominiums); DCCA
Governing law
UCIOA-based
Hawaii Condominium Property Act (HRS ch. 514B); planned communities under HRS ch. 421J. Not UCIOA.
Super-lien
Yes
Six months of unpaid assessments take priority over the first mortgage (HRS 514B-146)
Resale disclosure
Cancellation right
Limited — a 5-day right tied to a developer public report; resale relies on the purchase contract
Who can help in Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the minority of states with an avenue short of court: Hawaii Real Estate Commission (condominiums); DCCA. Knowing whether your state offers a non-litigation path shapes your realistic options.
Your records and meeting rights
Most states give owners a right to inspect the association's financial records, contracts, and minutes, and to receive notice of meetings — under Hawaii Condominium Property Act (HRS ch. 514B); planned communities under HRS ch. 421J. Not UCIOA. and your governing documents. The scope and timelines vary, so the first step is establishing exactly what you're entitled to see and when. Put any records request in writing and keep the date.
Dysfunction vs. disagreement
Boards have broad discretion to make decisions you may dislike; the line into genuine dysfunction is usually procedural — records improperly withheld, meetings without notice, votes outside open session, flawed elections, or self-dealing. Those patterns are what a specialist can act on, and what's worth documenting.
Your rights in Hawaii
As a Hawaii owner you generally have rights to inspect association records, receive meeting notice, and a fair election under Hawaii Condominium Property Act (HRS ch. 514B); planned communities under HRS ch. 421J. Not UCIOA. and your governing documents, with Hawaii Real Estate Commission (condominiums) as a possible avenue. None of this is legal advice — confirm against the current statute and a licensed professional in your state.
What to check
- Put your records request in writing and note the date.
- Check Hawaii's records-inspection right and timeline.
- Document missed meeting notices or closed-session votes.
- Review the governing documents for election procedures.
- Consider Hawaii Real Estate Commission as a non-court avenue before you escalate.
- Watch for board self-dealing or undisclosed conflicts.
Sources
- HRS § 514B-148 — reserve study & funding(High)
- HRS § 514B-146 — association liens (6-month priority)(High)
- HRS § 514B-143 — insurance requirements(High)
Educational only — not legal, financial, or engineering advice. Confirm against the current statute and, where it matters, a Hawaii-licensed professional.
Related guide
Hawaii governance risk — the full guide →This page answers what to do right now. For how governance risk works in Hawaii — the law, the process, and what to check before you buy or sell — read the full state guide.
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“The board approved a $15,000-per-unit special assessment for façade repairs, payable over 12 months.”
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