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HRS §171-76

Who gets first pick for a residential lease

When the state draws names for a residential lease, some people get priority. First, people who lost their home to government taking or a natural disaster get preference. Next, U.S. citizens get preference over non-citizens, as long as they are otherwise qualified.

homeownerslandownerstenants

The statute, as written — Preference right to residential lease

In any drawing to determine the person to whom a residential lease is to be made, preference shall be given to an otherwise qualified person, who has: (1) Within a period of not longer than five years prior to the filing of the person's application for a residential lease, been an owner in possession, or a lessee in possession having an unexpired lease term of more than one year, of residential premises which were taken by any governmental authority for any public purpose and who was displaced by reason of such taking; or (2) Been displaced by reason of any natural disaster as defined in section 171-85. After the above preference, any person who is a citizen of the United States and who is otherwise qualified shall be given preference over non-citizens.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.