Can I sue for a landlord keeping my deposit in Hawaii?

Which law covers security deposits in Hawaii?

governing statute

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Hawaii?

deadline

14 days

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.

Across the country. 6 of the 47 states written up answer this the same way as Hawaii. The shortest is 14 days, as in Alaska; the longest is 60 days, as in Alabama. Compare every state →

What is the penalty if a landlord keeps your deposit in Hawaii?

penalty

Wrongful and willful retention: three times the security deposit, plus the cost of the suit. Wrongful but not willful: the portion wrongfully retained, plus the cost of the suit.

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.

Which court hears a case like this in Hawaii?

which court

Small claims division of the district court

source ↗Checked against the statute on 2026-08-25

How much can you sue for in Hawaii small claims court?

small claims limit

$5,000

source ↗Checked against the statute on 2026-08-25

exceptions: A dispute about a residential security deposit has no dollar limit here at all, and this is the only court that may hear one, unless an eviction case is already running in the district court. Punitive damages cannot be awarded and class actions are barred.

source ↗Checked against the statute on 2026-08-25

What else should you know in Hawaii?

also

Security deposit disputes may be brought only in small claims court, and lawyers are not allowed to represent either side there. Any action must be started within one year of the rental agreement ending.

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.