Kokua Line: Security deposit due within 14 days of lease end

Question: Is there a time limit for your landlord giving you back your security deposit?

Answer: Yes. Any money due must be returned within 14 days after termination of the rental agreement, according to the Handbook for the Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Code, which is based on Chapter 521 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

The tenant must receive notice of any deductions within the same time frame. If the tenant is not notified, the landlord must return the full security deposit, even if there were otherwise lawful grounds for retaining some or all of the money.

As long as the tenant is properly notified, the landlord may use some or all of the security deposit “to put the unit in as clean a condition at the end of the tenancy as it was at the start, except for normal wear and tear,” according to the handbook.

For more information about resolving landlord-tenant disputes, see 808ne.ws/landten, a section of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Office of Consumer Protection.

The site includes links to the handbook and to the self-help section of the Hawaii State Judiciary website, where you can find forms needed to file a legal claim.

On Oahu, you may also call 586-2634; this is the number to OCP’s residential landlord-tenant hotline.

“Going Green” Changes

“Going Green” community recycling events are popular among Kokua Line readers, so we want to make sure you know that certain items will no longer be accepted, including most batteries (lead acid batteries are the exception), used cooking oil and glass beverage containers.

The new rules take effect immediately, said program coordinator Rene Mansho.

Here’s the updated list of acceptable items, followed by the list of stuff “Going Green” won’t take. Numerous readers have asked for these reminders.

Acceptable: E-waste such as computers, monitors, printers, scanners; one TV per car; lead acid batteries; HI-5 plastic or aluminum beverage containers; used eyeglasses and hearing aides; usable household items and clothing, especially prom dresses and women’s business apparel and accessories; blankets and towels for pets; canned goods.

Not acceptable: Tires, paint, metal, motor oil or cooking oil; cardboard; paper (except at specifically publicized events that include shredding); plastics (except HI-5 beverage containers); wood, bulky items; hazardous fluids; printer toner or ink cartridges; lithium, nickel cadmium or nickel hydride batteries (only lead acid batteries are accepted).

The next “Going Green” drop-off is set for Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Kaimuki High School, 2705 Kaimuki Avenue. After that, there’s one scheduled for Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Aikahi Elementary School, 281 Ilihau Street in Kailua. Neither includes shredding service.

Mahalo

Huge mahalos to Ken Kihara, U.S. Postal Service employee, Waialae-Kahala Post Office, recently retired. … Ken was more than our street’s mailman, loved by all his route customers, including their kids, grandkids, and, yes, even their pets. Not only was it immediately known when he was on vacation or on leave, but the neighbor’s dog even knew the sound of his truck as he approached … He is a kind, thoughtful and humble federal worker … (known for) walking the mail to the door of an elderly couple who stood at their front door with their walkers and delivering packages to the door of homes with long driveways. … Mr. Kihara surely will be missed by all his route customers on Luawai Street in Kahala. Enjoy your well deserved retirement, Ken, with our sincere thanks and good wishes. You did something rare and amazing, you taught us to be better people too. — L.M.

Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.