FREE LANDLORD TENANT EVICTION MEDIATION PROGRAM IN HAWAIʻI COUNTY
FREE LANDLORD TENANT EVICTION MEDIATION PROGRAM IN HAWAIʻI COUNTY
Hawaiʻi County’s two mediation centers have begun conducting free, 90-minute mediations between landlords
and tenants. The mediation comes in response to the end of the state eviction moratorium, which ended on
August 6, launching Act 57, which was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Ige. Act
57 states that tenants must be offered the opportunity to mediate when they are served with an eviction notice
for non-payment of rent. Mediation is a safe, private, and neutral setting for landlords and tenants to discuss
how to move forward.
“Our goal is to help renters and property owners to work together to find solutions, ideally saving both from a
lengthy and expensive eviction process in court,” states Kate Sims, landlord-tenant case manager at West
Hawai’i Mediation Center. “Through mediation, landlords and tenants are often able to identify positive steps
each can take to avoid court altogether.”
Mediators are impartial and help people talk and negotiate. In addition, mediators can assist the parties to
develop durable agreements, such as payment plans for back rent, plans for rent going forward, applying for
rental assistance together, moving out without an eviction on the tenant’s record, and/or other agreements that
support the needs of both landlord and tenant.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 has provided Hawai’i Island with $10.4 million in funding for rent and
utility grants to assist low-income renters in staying stably housed. These grants are available through June 30,
2022. Information on the Emergency Rent (and Utilities) Assistance program, including how to apply and
submit required documents can be found at www.HawaiiCountyERAP.org. During mediation, qualified lowincome renters will be encouraged to apply for these funds to bring their rent current.
“Given the tight rental market and backlogs in the courts, state lawmakers felt it was important that parties work
together to see if eviction can be avoided,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “In mediation, landlords and tenants can
listen to each other, access rental assistance, and make informed decisions. We hope that through these
mediations, we will be able to find creative and thoughtful solutions that will positively impact our communities
moving forward.”
For East Hawai‘i, contact Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center at (808) 935-7844 ext. 8 and
landlordtenant@hawaiimediation.org, or www.hawaiimediation.org/landlordtenant.
For West Hawai‘i, contact West Hawai ‘i Mediation Center at (808) 664-0991, ksims@whmediation.org, or
www.whmediation.org/our-services/landlord-tenant
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