Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Hawaii Rental Housing Providers Alliance (HRHPA)?

HRHPA is a statewide, member-driven advocacy and education organization for long-term rental housing providers—especially mom-and-pop, self-managing landlords. We provide tools, resources, advocacy, and community support to help rental housing providers operate responsibly and sustainably in Hawaiʻi.

2. Who can join HRHPA?

Any individual or family who provides long-term rental housing in Hawaiʻi—whether you own one unit or several—is welcome. You do not need to be a REALTOR®, professional property manager, or part of a large investor group.

3. Why should I join HRHPA?

Members get:

  • Updates on changing laws and regulations that impact landlords

  • Practical education for DIY landlords

  • Policy advocacy at the county and state levels

  • Access to best-practice forms, checklists, and guides

  • A network of other local housing providers

  • A unified voice to counterbalance efforts that marginalize small landlords

4. Is HRHPA a political organization?

HRHPA is an advocacy-forward organization. We advocate for sensible, balanced housing policy that supports both stable tenancies and a viable rental housing market. We are not partisan, and we do not endorse political candidates.

5. What types of educational resources do members receive?

We provide:

  • Webinars and in-person workshops (coming 2026)

  • Landlord how-to guides

  • Checklists for move-ins, notices, maintenance, and communication

  • Updates on bills, ordinances, and court cases

  • Sample policies and templates

All content is designed for real-world use by small rental operators and is for informational/educational purposes only. If you need advice for your specific situation, we urge you to contact an attorney or appropriate licensed professional.

6. Does HRHPA help with legal advice?

We provide general information, not personalized legal counsel. We help members understand Hawaiʻi’s landlord-tenant laws at a high level, but any situation-specific legal questions must be addressed with a qualified attorney.

7. What does HRHPA advocate for?

Key priorities include:

  • Fair, balanced landlord-tenant laws

  • Preserving a landlord’s right to manage and protect their property

  • Transparent and workable housing regulations

  • Protection against policies that reduce housing supply or penalize small providers

  • Supporting policies that keep long-term rentals available and sustainable

8. How is HRHPA different from other housing or landlord groups?

We are focused on the DIY landlord—the 1-to-4 unit provider who is often left out of policy conversations. Most organizations represent property managers, large associations, or commercial interests. HRHPA fills the gap with education and advocacy tailored to everyday housing providers.

9. Does HRHPA take a position on short-term rentals (STRs)?

No. Our mission is long-term rental housing. We do not advocate for or against vacation rental operations, and believe that all housing providers (for whatever term they choose) should follow all local and state ordinances and laws.

10. What does membership cost?

Currently, membership is free. Soon (summer/fall of 2026), we will have members-only content and membership pricing is structured to be affordable for small rental housing providers. Discounts may be available for multi-unit owners or early members.

11. How often will I receive updates?

Members receive:

  • Monthly newsletters

  • Legislative alerts during session

  • Special notices when new rules or laws take effect

  • Invitations to meetings, workshops, and trainings

12. Do members have to attend meetings or volunteer?

No—participation is optional. Many members join simply to stay informed and support advocacy efforts. Others volunteer for committees, testify at hearings, or help with outreach.

13. Can tenants join HRHPA?

No. This organization is specifically for rental housing providers. However, our educational content often includes renter specific information to help housing providers understand where friction may exist and build strong relationships with renters.

14. How does HRHPA use membership dues (coming 2026)?

Dues will fund fund:

  • Advocacy at the state and county levels

  • Legal and policy research

  • Educational materials

  • Outreach to lawmakers and the public

  • Administrative and operational costs

Transparency is a core value—members will see where funds go.

15. How can I get involved beyond membership?

Opportunities include:

  • Serving on advocacy or community-relations committees

  • Sharing expertise for landlord education

  • Assisting with outreach or events

  • Testifying on legislation

  • Helping grow the network of mom-and-pop providers statewide