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HRS §516-70

What happens to buildings you added when a land lease ends

When a residential land lease ends, the tenant can take the buildings or other improvements they paid for, as long as they are not in default. If the tenant tells the landlord in writing that they don't want to remove them, and the landlord won't renew the lease, the landlord must pay the tenant the current fair market value. The tenant pays for the appraisal, and the landlord must pay within 30 days after the value is set.

landlordstenants

The statute, as written — Reversion of improvements

(a) This section applies to all leases of residential lands as defined by section 516-1. (b) At the termination of any lease, or at the expiration of the lease term, the lessee may, if not then in default under the terms of the lessee's lease, remove all onsite improvements on the lot which were constructed at the cost of, or otherwise paid for by, the lessee, without compensating the lessor therefor. If the lessee notifies the lessor in writing within sixty days before the termination or expiration that the lessee declines to remove such onsite improvements and if the lessee is not then in default under the terms of the lessee's lease, and if the lessor refuses to extend the term of the existing lease or to issue a new lease for a term of at least thirty years at a rental that is mutually agreeable to the parties or failing such agreement that is determined by arbitration pursuant to chapter 658A, the lessor shall be required to compensate the lessee for the current fair market value of all such onsite improvements. Such improvements shall be appraised at the expense of the lessee. The appraiser selected shall be by mutual agreement of the lessee and the lessor or in conformance to chapter 658A. The compensation shall be determined by mutual agreement or in conformity with chapter 658A, and the compensation shall be paid within thirty days of determination. Such expense of arbitration shall be equally shared by both parties.
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.