Hawaii does not have a broad state credit reporting act of its own. For most credit report errors, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act sets the rules. It requires the credit bureaus to follow reasonable procedures to keep reports accurate. It also requires the bureaus and the banks, lenders, collectors and servicers that report to them to investigate disputes, usually within 30 days.
Hawaii adds a few protections on top of federal law. Chapter 489P of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, titled Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies, says its purpose is to help Hawaii consumers who are victims of identity theft. Section 489P-3 lets any Hawaii resident place a security freeze on their credit report, and section 489P-3.5 covers freezes for protected consumers such as minors. Hawaii also limits how employers use credit history. Under HRS 378-2.7, an employer may look at a job applicant's credit history only after a conditional job offer, and only when the credit history is directly related to a bona fide occupational qualification. Some employers, such as federally insured financial institutions, are exempt.
Because Hawaii has one federal district, an FCRA lawsuit by a Hawaii resident is usually filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii in Honolulu. The FCRA also allows suits in state court. It lets consumers recover actual damages, statutory damages of $100 to $1,000 for willful violations, punitive damages in some cases, and attorney's fees.
Where Hawaii FCRA cases are filed
FCRA claims are federal, so they go to a United States District Court. Cases from Hawaii are heard in one federal district:
- District of HawaiiCourthouses: Honolulu.Filed with local or cooperating counsel
Our attorneys are licensed in Texas, California, and Georgia. Where they aren't admitted in your local federal court, we work with local or cooperating counsel who are. You may also be able to sue where the company that reported you is based, in a court where our attorneys are admitted:
- Experian: HQ in C.D. California · Dispute Processing in E.D. Texas · Offices in N.D. Illinois
- Equifax: HQ in N.D. Georgia
- TransUnion: HQ in N.D. Illinois
- Santander Consumer: HQ in N.D. Texas
Which court is right depends on your facts. We'll tell you at your free case review.
Hawaii laws that add to the FCRA
- Security freeze by consumer reporting agency (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 489P-3)
Any Hawaii resident may place a security freeze on their credit report. While the freeze is in place, the bureau generally cannot release the report to new creditors without the consumer's permission. Read it - Employer use of credit history or credit reports (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 378-2.7)
Employers may ask about or consider a job applicant's credit history only after a conditional offer, and may withdraw the offer only if the credit information is directly related to a bona fide occupational qualification. The rule does not apply to managerial or supervisory employees, employers that federal or state law permits or requires to check credit, or federally insured financial institutions. Read it
Common credit report errors
- Accounts that aren't yours, including mixed-file and identity theft accounts
- Late payments you didn't make, or payments not credited
- Paid, settled or discharged debts still shown as owed
- Collections reported past the seven-year limit or re-aged
- A deceased indicator on a living person's file
Learn how these cases work on our credit report lawsuits page, or read our lawsuit guides for Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Hawaii employer turn me down because of my credit report?
In most cases a Hawaii employer can look at your credit history only after making a conditional job offer, and can withdraw the offer only if your credit history is directly related to a bona fide occupational qualification for the job. Managerial and supervisory positions, federally insured financial institutions and employers required by law to check credit are exempt. If the credit report itself is wrong, the federal FCRA also gives you the right to dispute it.
How do I freeze my credit in Hawaii?
Hawaii law lets any resident request a security freeze from each credit bureau. Federal law now makes freezes free at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A freeze blocks most new creditors from seeing your report, which can help prevent new accounts being opened in your name.
Where is an FCRA case from Hawaii filed?
Hawaii has a single federal district, so an FCRA case is usually filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii in Honolulu. The FCRA also allows a case to be filed in state court. The deadline to sue is generally two years from when you discovered the violation, and no more than five years from when it happened.
How long do I have to file an FCRA lawsuit in Hawaii?
FCRA deadlines are the same everywhere: generally two years from when you discover the violation, and no more than five years from when it happened (15 U.S.C. § 1681p). Waiting can cost you the claim.
Sources
- U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii
- Haw. Rev. Stat. § 489P-3 (security freeze)
- Haw. Rev. Stat. Chapter 489P (table of contents)
- Haw. Rev. Stat. § 378-2.5 (conviction records)
- Haw. Rev. Stat. § 378-2.7 (credit history)
- Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Arrest and Court Record fact sheet
- NELP, Ban the Box / Fair Chance Hiring State and Local Guide
- Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.
Updated November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.