{"id":372852,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:06","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/hawaii-law\/hawaii-civil-rights-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2016-06-20T05:00:00","slug":"hawaii-civil-rights-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/hawaii-law\/hawaii-civil-rights-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Hawaii Civil Rights Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Hawaii Civil Rights Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

We may not think of the Hawaiian Islands as the forefront of the civil rights movement, but \u201ccivil rights\u201d doesn\u2019t just refer to Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s. The same legal principles that were used against segregation then are being used to support fair housing laws and gay marriage today.<\/p>\r\n

So what do Aloha State civil rights statutes cover, and whom do they protect? And how do federal civil rights laws come into play? This is a quick introduction to civil rights laws in Hawaii.<\/p>\r\n

Civil Rights Laws in Hawaii<\/h2>\r\n

State civil rights laws<\/a> protect our collective rights to receive fair and equal treatment under the law. The majority of our civil rights protections come from the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, but state civil rights laws can provide additional protections from discrimination. Hawaii\u2019s civil rights statutes are listed below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Code Section<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Hawaii Revised Statutes 378-1, et seq.<\/a> (Employment);<\/p>\r\n

Hawaii Revised Statutes 515-1, et seq.<\/a> (Housing);<\/p>\r\n

Hawaii Revised Statutes 489-1, et seq.<\/a> (Public Accommodations)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Agency<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Employment, Housing, Public Accommodations: Civil Rights Commission<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Administrative Preemption<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Yes<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Private Action Permitted?<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Employment: No;<\/p>\r\n

Housing: Yes, with exceptions;<\/p>\r\n

Public Accommodations: Yes<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Attorney Fees Recoverable by Plaintiff?<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Employment: Yes;<\/p>\r\n

Housing: Yes;<\/p>\r\n

Public Accommodations: Yes<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Statute of Limitations<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Employment: 90 days;<\/p>\r\n

Housing: 1 yr.;<\/p>\r\n

Public Accommodations: Not specified<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Filing Civil Rights Claims<\/h2>\r\n

The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission<\/a> works to eliminate cases of discrimination and enforces the state\u2019s civil rights laws, generally by filing civil lawsuits on behalf of citizens. A state civil rights office<\/a> can handle cases of discrimination in housing, employment, and places of public accommodation, among others, and advise you of the options and requirements of filing a civil rights claim<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Because of the overlap between state and federal civil rights statutes and the restrictions on which courts can hear a civil rights lawsuit, civil rights claims can be complicated processes. The state civil rights office is a valuable resource if you believe your civil rights have been violated.<\/p>\r\n

Related Resources for Civil Rights Laws in Hawaii<\/h2>\r\n

Understanding state and federal civil rights laws and determining if you are protected can be difficult. You can consult with an experienced Hawaii civil rights attorney<\/a> in your area if you would like legal assistance with a civil rights matter. And FindLaw\u2019s section on Civil Rights<\/a> can provide you with further reading and resources on this topic.<\/p>\r\n

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