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HRS §490:2A-508

Lessee's remedies when the lessor defaults

This section lists what a person renting goods can do if the company or person renting to them fails to deliver, delivers wrong goods, or otherwise breaks the lease. It covers canceling the lease, getting back paid rent and security, recovering damages, and in some cases getting the goods or deducting damages from future rent.

landlordstenants

The statute, as written — Lessee's remedies

(a) If a lessor fails to deliver the goods in conformity to the lease contract (section 490:2A-509) or repudiates the lease contract (section 490:2A-402), or a lessee rightfully rejects the goods (section 490:2A-509) or justifiably revokes acceptance of the goods (section 490:2A-517), then with respect to any goods involved, and with respect to all of the goods if under an installment lease contract the value of the whole lease contract is substantially impaired (section 490:2A-510), the lessor is in default under the lease contract and the lessee may: (1) Cancel the lease contract (section 490:2A-505(a)); (2) Recover so much of the rent and security as has been paid and is just under the circumstances; (3) Cover and recover damages as to all goods affected whether or not they have been identified to the lease contract (sections 490:2A-518 and 490:2A-520), or recover damages for nondelivery (sections 490:2A-519 and 490:2A-520); (4) Exercise any other rights or pursue any other remedies provided in the lease contract. (b) If a lessor fails to deliver the goods in conformity to the lease contract or repudiates the lease contract, the lessee may also: (1) If the goods have been identified, recover them (section 490:2A-522); or (2) In a proper case, obtain specific performance or replevy the goods (section 490:2A-521). (c) If a lessor is otherwise in default under a lease contract, the lessee may exercise the rights and pursue the remedies provided in the lease contract, which may include a right to cancel the lease, and in section 490:2A-519(c). (d) If a lessor has breached a warranty, whether express or implied, the lessee may recover damages (section 490:2A-519(d)). (e) On rightful rejection or justifiable revocation of acceptance, a lessee has a security interest in goods in the lessee's possession or control for any rent and security that has been paid and any expenses reasonably incurred in their inspection, receipt, transportation, and care and custody and may hold those goods and dispose of them in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, subject to section 490:2A-527(e). (f) Subject to the provisions of section 490:2A-407, a lessee, on notifying the lessor of the lessee's intention to do so, may deduct all or any part of the damages resulting from any default under the lease contract from any part of the rent still due under the same lease contract.
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.