Hawaiʻi needs a movement of organized tenants to take on the power imbalance of landlords.

Over the last several weeks, tenants at Union Plaza (also known as 1136 Union Mall) have endured a cascade of abuses from local developer Chad Waters. Slipshod renovations, inadequate ventilation, illegal utilities shut-offs, and retaliatory evictions, have culminated in Waters hiring an unlicensed security force that has reportedly assaulted and intimidated tenants in the dark of night.

The escalating situation at Union Plaza serves as a warning about the weaknesses in Hawaiʻi’s landlord — tenant laws, and how those gaps endanger the health, safety, and housing security of the 40% of Hawaiʻi households who rent. Union Plaza may be a worst-case scenario , but it reveals systemic issues we can n

See Full Page