ROH §38-2.9
What happens to bid deposits when a city contract is awarded
Read the official text at honolulu.gov ↗This section explains what the city does with bid deposits. If the winning bidder does not sign the contract and provide required security on time, the city keeps the deposit. If the bidder does sign and provide security, the deposit is returned. Losing bidders get their deposits back after the contract is signed or after a certain time.
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The ordinance, as written (Honolulu County) — Forfeiture of deposits - Return
A copy, taken August 22, 2026. The version published by Honolulu is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
If the bidder to whom the contract is awarded fails or neglects to enter into the contract and furnish satisfactory security as required by this article, within 10 days after the award or within such further time as the director may allow, the director shall pay the deposit into the treasury as a realization of the city. If the contract is entered into and the security furnished within the required time, the deposit shall be returned to the successful bidder. Deposits made by the unsuccessful bidders shall be returned to them after the contract is entered into or, if the contract is not entered into, after the expiration of 60 days after the opening of the bids or after the director publishes another call for tenders, whichever is sooner.
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Published by the City and County of Honolulu through American Legal Publishing.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.