Getting Your Hawaii HOA's Records

Hawaii gives owners concrete records rights — with a 30-day deadline and capped copy costs for condominiums. The exact rules depend on whether your community is a condominium or a planned community. For your specific situation, a licensed Hawaii attorney is the right resource. This is general information, not legal advice.

How long does a Hawaii condo association have to provide records?

Thirty days. Under HRS § 514B-154.5(c), a Hawaii condominium association must provide the listed documents, records, and information no later than 30 days after receiving a unit owner's or authorized agent's written request, even if the declaration, bylaws, or house rules provide for another period. Copies generally cost no more than $1 per page (§ 514B-154.5(f)).

For condominiums, the association's "most current financial statement" must be provided "at no cost or on twenty-four-hour loan," and approved board minutes "for the current and prior year" must either be "available for examination by apartment owners at no cost or on twenty-four-hour loan" or be transmitted to a requesting owner "within fifteen days of receipt of the request" (§ 514B-154(a)).

Section 514B-154.5(c) adds a firm deadline: the listed documents, records, and information "shall be provided no later than thirty days after receipt of a unit owner's or owner's authorized agent's written request," even if the declaration, bylaws, or house rules provide for another period. On cost, § 514B-154.5(f) keeps copies affordable — a "reasonable fee … shall not exceed $1 per page" (with an exception for oversized pages). Since June 3, 2025, § 514B-154.2 also requires an association to provide "an electronic copy of its governing documents, as amended or restated," on request "at no cost to the unit owner."

What records can I see in a Hawaii planned community HOA?

Association documents, the most current financial statement, and the most recent board meeting's minutes, other than executive sessions. Under HRS § 421J-7(b), any member may examine them at no cost, on twenty-four-hour loan, or during reasonable hours. For other documents, the board must authorize or explain a refusal in writing within 60 calendar days of receiving a written request (§ 421J-7(e)).

If your community is a planned community under Chapter 421J, § 421J-7 provides a similar examination right on a different timetable. Association documents, "the most current financial statement," and "the minutes of the most recent meeting of the board of directors" (other than executive sessions) must be "made available for examination by any member at no cost, on twenty-four-hour loan or during reasonable hours," with approved minutes for the current and prior year either available for examination at no cost or on twenty-four-hour loan or transmitted "within a reasonable period of time from receipt of the request" (§ 421J-7(b)). Chapter 421J sets no 30-day deadline. For other association documents, a member may file a written request, and the board must give written authorization or a written refusal with an explanation "within sixty calendar days of receipt of the request" (§ 421J-7(e)). Copies cost "a reasonable fee"; Chapter 421J sets no per-page cap.

What owners commonly request

People reviewing a Hawaii association's records often look at:

• The most current financial statement, budget, and reserve study
• Board meeting minutes and notices
• The declaration, bylaws, and house rules
• Vendor and management contracts and bank records
• The assessment ledger and any lien filings for the unit

Records frequently feed other disputes — questioning a fine or the assessment lien usually starts with the underlying documents.

What people generally do

For owners seeking Hawaii records, a few practical points:

• A written request that cites § 514B-154.5 (condo) or § 421J-7 (planned community) is the usual starting point.
• For condominium document requests, there is a 30-day window.
• The free financial statement and minutes are available before paid copies.
• Keeping a copy of the request and any response is common practice.
• If a proper request is refused, Hawaii's mediation or administrative-hearing options and a licensed Hawaii attorney are the available resources.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Hawaii HOA owner get a copy of a vendor's invoice?

Hawaii's statutes list association invoices among the records owners can see, on different terms by chapter. For condominiums, HRS § 514B-154.5(a)(10) makes "contracts, and invoices of the association for the duration those records are kept by the association" available for examination; the board may require a good-faith affidavit, and owners pay administrative costs "in excess of eight hours per year." Copies are provided on request for a reasonable fee (§ 514B-154.5(b)) that "shall not exceed $1 per page" for standard pages (§ 514B-154.5(f)), and listed records are due within 30 days of a written request (§ 514B-154.5(c)). For planned communities, HRS § 421J-7(c) reaches "contracts, invoices of the association" too, but "members shall pay for all costs associated with the examination," copies carry "a reasonable fee," and § 421J-7 sets no per-page cap or 30-day deadline. A licensed Hawaii attorney can address a specific request.

Sources

• HRS § 514B-154 — Association records; availability
• HRS § 514B-154.2 — Governing documents; electronic copies
• HRS § 514B-154.5 — Association documents to be provided
• HRS § 421J-7 — Documents of the association (planned communities)