Hawaii
Hawaii considering anti-squatter law to protect homeowners, cut eviction times
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An Oahu landlord who won a court ruling in July to get his delinquent tenants evicted is still waiting for sheriffs to kick them out.
Will Choy says he’s out about $60,000 in lost rent and fees on the legal battle to get back his sister’s Hawaii Kai property from tenants Todd and Missy Brewer, who according to court records, have a history of not paying rent.
Choy’s ordeal is highlighting a problem with Hawaii’s laws to prevent squatting.
State laws govern landlord and tenant relationships, and district courts settle disputes, including removing squatters. Some believe the legal system doesn’t do enough to protect property owners.
“So we all understand hardships that people have and I think the courts and the legislature, for example, are sympathetic to them, and I think that’s right. But there’s other conditions where you can run into people who they they’re not gonna pay the rent, no matter what. And I think that the situation is one that our laws and our system does not address,” Choy said.
Attorneys say they’ve seen cases where tenants knowingly game the court system, forcing homeowners into a costly, lengthy process to take back their property.
“Landlord tenant code does offer protection to tenants that certain unscrupulous tenants can take advantage of that because once you get to court, the judge might require you to go to mediation,” said attorney Andrew Stewart, whose client sued the Brewers in 2023 for not paying rent and had them evicted.
Advocates for anti-squatter laws say that while waiting for an eviction order, problem tenants often trash the home or attract criminal activity to the neighborhood, creating a public safety issue and nuisance.
To speed up the eviction process, state lawmakers introduced a bill last session that would allow law enforcement officers to remove unlawful occupants and make property damages caused — a felony.
The Attorney General, Public Defender and Honolulu Police Department opposed the measure — noting it evades judicial review, doesn’t protect due process and further strains limited resources.
Sheriffs who are sometimes asked to serve eviction orders already have a verification process of their own — adding to a backlog of duties.
“We have to approach it, just really matter of factly, the courts have asked you to leave and you have to leave now,“ said Jared Redulla, deputy director of the Department of Law Enforcement.
“In the vast majority of cases, there’s no trouble. They’ll pick up their stuff and, although perhaps, with some disagreement, they’ll leave.”
But supporters say an anti-squatting law is about fairness. Other states have seen eviction times reduced from 8-12 months to two weeks, without changing tenant protections.
“So long as the law is very clear about what the criminality is and you know what the process is and you have protections in there about people who are legally supposed to be there and even remedies, in case someone is unfairly ousted in a trespass case,” said Malia Hill, policy director for the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, which supports an anti-squatting measure in Hawaii.
Advocates also believe stricter laws could help ease residential landlords’ fears and open up more rentals.
“It all kind of works together, to create an atmosphere that, you know, encourages landlords to rent that makes it easier for those of us who try to look for places, to find places to rent,” Hill added.
Lawmakers plan to take into account feedback from law enforcement and reintroduce another version of the anti-squatting bill next session.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
Community memorial service for Kazuo Todd today in Hilo – West Hawaii Today
The funeral procession for deceased Fire Chief Kazuo Todd with pass-in-review for Hawaii Fire Department firefighters took place Saturday morning at HFD Administration in the County Building on Aupuni Street in Hilo.
Hawaii
What’s Cooking: Celebrating Lunar New Year with Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A family-run Chinese restaurant in Honolulu’s Chinatown is gearing up for Lunar New Year festivities.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant owner Karen Tam and her son Kirave Liang joined HNN’s Sunrise to showcase their dim sum and Chinese specialties.
Lunar New Year specials include a special jai with 18 vegetarian ingredients and the sweet, sticky, steamed rice cake gau in brown sugar and coconut flavors, which symbolize good fortune and prosperity.
”We eat food with a lucky meaning to start the great year,” Tam said. “We have jin dui (sesame balls) every day.“
Feb. 17 marks the start of the year of the Fire Horse, when families gather to celebrate with big meals and auspicious dishes. Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood will offer set party menus and special orders for foods not commonly found in Honolulu, such as whole stuffed duck, braised abalone in oyster sauce, and basin meal.
“It’s the biggest fest of the year. We celebrate Chinese New Year by eating with family in a round table,“ Tam said.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood also has private rooms with karaoke systems and a banquet hall to accommodate small family gatherings to large parties.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood is located on 111 N. King St. and is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, There is street parking and paid parking behind the restaurant on Nimitz and Maunakea.
For more information, visit hawaiidimsumseafood.com or follow on Instagram @hawaiidimsumseafood.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
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