Hawaii security deposit law
Can I get more than my deposit back in Hawaii?
The short answer
Often, yes. Hawaii law allows up to 3x the deposit in statutory damages for wrongful withholding under HRS § 521-44, on top of the deposit itself.
Hawaii is one of the states where wrongful withholding costs the landlord more than the deposit: HRS § 521-44 allows courts to award up to 3x the deposit in statutory damages, in addition to returning the deposit itself.
What this means practically: the money at stake is often larger than the deposit, and a landlord facing a potential 3x judgment has a strong incentive to settle when a tenant demonstrates they know the statute. Attorney's fees can also be recoverable, which changes the landlord's calculation further.
How tenants actually unlock these remedies: not by mentioning them on the phone, but in a formal demand letter that cites HRS § 521-44, the missed deadline, and the specific exposure. That letter is usually the moment the landlord's cost-benefit flips.
If it still goes unanswered, District Court — Small Claims Division is where these damages get awarded, and the demand letter is the exhibit that proves you gave fair notice.
The Hawaii rules at a glance. Governing statute: HRS § 521-44. Return deadline: 14 days. Statutory damages: up to 3x the deposit for wrongful withholding. Attorney's fees: recoverable in qualifying cases. Court for disputes: District Court — Small Claims Division, claims up to $5,000.
See what your landlord owes you under Hawaii law.
Answer a few questions about your situation and get a Hawaii-specific demand letter that applies these rules to your case, ready in about ten minutes.