Hawaii Community Association Laws
Planned Community Associations (Ch. 421J), Condominiums (Ch. 514B), Cooperative Housing Corporations (Ch. 421I), corporate acts (Ch. 414D/414), real estate licensing (Ch. 467). Reference hub
Hawaii splits community associations by form: condominiums run under a detailed Condominium Property Act with Real Estate Commission oversight, while planned communities (HOAs) and co-ops follow leaner statutes that prioritize notice, open meetings, proxies, and transparent records. There’s no separate “CAM” license—condo managing agents are typically real estate brokerages regulated under Chapter 467—so compliance leans on board process and licensed-agent stewardship more than on an association-specific regulator. The overall feel: process-oriented and disclosure-heavy for condos; streamlined but owner-protective for HOAs and co-ops.
At a glance
- HOAs (Planned Communities): Ch. 421J (board meetings, proxies, records, assessments & liens).
- Condominiums: Ch. 514B (association/board powers, meetings, records, fiscal matters, liens).
- Co-ops: Ch. 421I (board, proxies, assessments, mediation/arbitration).
- Corporate form: Mostly Ch. 414D (nonprofit); some under Ch. 414.
- Managing agents: Condo managing agents must be licensed under Ch. 467.
Primary Statutes
Planned Community Associations — Chapter 421J
Meetings & proxies, member records, assessments, liens, enforcement.
Condominiums — Chapter 514B
Association/board powers, meetings & voting, records, fiscal matters, liens; Commission oversight.
Hawaii Legislature (chapter TOC) ·
REB — HRS 514B (compiled) ·
HRS 514B — PDF
Cooperative Housing Corporations — Chapter 421I
Board, proxies, records, assessments; mediation/arbitration of disputes.
Corporate Acts — Chapters 414D & 414
Entity law for nonprofit & business corporations (formation, meetings, records, authority).
414D: HRS 414D — PDF ·
414: HRS 414 — PDF
Popular Sections (direct links)
HOA (Ch. 421J)
Condominium (Ch. 514B)
Administrative Rules (Hawaii Administrative Rules)
Real Estate Commission (DCCA/REB) administers condo laws and broker licensing; rules below support those programs.
HAR 16-99 — Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons
HAR 16-107 — Horizontal Property Regimes
Legacy chapter tied to former 514A; still useful for historical reference.
HAR 16-53 — Fees
Managing Agents & Property Managers
When is a license required?
- Condominium managing agents must be a licensed real estate broker (or authorized trust company) and comply with Ch. 467 and HAR 16-99.
- There is no separate “CAM” license for HOAs; many HOAs self-manage or contract with brokers.
REB — Licensing
HRS Ch. 467 (PDF)
514B-132 — Managing agents
Condo registration & owner resources
- AOUO Biennial Registration (condo associations).
- Got Records? (records-request help via RICO).
- Real Estate Commission (REB) homepage
Governing Documents & Overlays
- Governing documents: Declaration/CC&Rs or Bylaws (condos: declaration & bylaws), Articles, rules/resolutions.
- State overlays: HRS chapters above; nonprofit/business corporate acts (414D/414); foreclosure (Ch. 667).
- Federal overlays: Fair Housing Act, ADA (where applicable), FDCPA (collections), FCC OTARD (antennas).
- Conflict handling: Statutes control over conflicting documents; consult counsel for interpretation.
DCCA Contacts
Real Estate Commission (REB) — DCCA
- Phone: (808) 586-2643
- Scope: Condo governance & registration, broker licensing, education resources.
- Address: 335 Merchant St, Room 333, Honolulu, HI 96813
RICO — Regulated Industries Complaints Office
- Records complaints: Got Records? (owners)
- General info: RICO homepage
Disclaimer
This page is a general reference and not legal advice. Laws and rules change; always verify the current text on the official linked sites and consult qualified counsel for your situation.
Last updated: September 9, 2025