Hawaiʻi County’s two mediation centers have begun conducting free, 90-minute mediations between landlords and tenants.
The mediation comes in response to the end of the state eviction moratorium, which ended on August 6, 2021 launching Act 57, which was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Ige. Act 57 states that tenants must be offered the opportunity to mediate when they are served with an eviction notice for non-payment of rent. Mediation is a safe, private, and neutral setting for landlords and tenants to discuss how to move forward.
Mediators are impartial and help people talk and negotiate. In addition, mediators can assist the parties to develop durable agreements, such as payment plans for back rent, plans for rent going forward, applying for rental assistance together, moving out without an eviction on the tenant’s record, and/or other agreements that support the needs of both landlord and tenant. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 has provided Hawai’i Island with $10.4 million in funding for rent and utility grants to assist low-income renters in staying stably housed. During mediation, qualified low income renters will be encouraged to apply for these funds to bring their rent current. Grants are available through June 30, 2022.
Information on the Emergency Rent and Utilities Assistance program, including how to apply and submit required documents can be found at www.HawaiiCountyERAP.org.
In a press release Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth said, “Given the tight rental market and backlogs in the courts, state lawmakers felt it was important that parties work together to see if eviction can be avoided. In mediation, landlords and tenants can listen to each other, access rental assistance, and make informed decisions. We hope that through these mediations, we will be able to find creative and thoughtful solutions that will positively impact our communities moving forward.”
For East Hawai‘i, contact Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center at (808) 935-7844 ext. 8 or email at landlordtenant@hawaiimediation.org, or visit www.hawaiimediation.org/landlordtenant.
For West Hawai‘i, contact West Hawai ‘i Mediation Center at (808) 664-0991, or email ksims@whmediation.org, or visit www.whmediation.org/our-services/landlord-tenant.