Hawaii UDAP Treble Damages — HRS §480-2 / §480-13
Hawaii's Unfair Practices Act (HRS §480) is one of the strongest in the nation. Section 480-2 prohibits unfair or deceptive acts in trade. Section 480-13 grants private right of action for TREBLE DAMAGES (3x actual harm) plus reasonable attorney fees and costs — minimum $1,000 statutory damages. Private parking lot operators, predatory tow companies, and meter operators are 'businesses' under the Act. The minimum-damages provision means even a $50 violation can trigger a $1,000 floor.
Legal basis
HRS §480-2 (UDAP); HRS §480-13 (private right of action — treble damages, $1,000 minimum, attorney fees); HRS §480-24 (4-year statute of limitations)
Sample appeal wording
[OPERATOR_NAME]\nCC: Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection\n\nRe: NOTICE — HRS §480-2 / §480-13 Claim\nDate: [DATE]\n\nDear Sir/Madam,\n\nThis letter constitutes formal notice of a claim under Hawaii's Unfair Practices Act, HRS §480-2 et seq.\n\nThe unfair/deceptive practices:\n1. [Inadequate or deceptive signage at LOCATION on DATE]\n2. [Excessive or undisclosed fees]\n3. [Predatory enforcement: SPECIFIC FACTS]\n\nMy actual damages: $[AMOUNT]. Under HRS §480-13:\n- Actual damages: $[AMOUNT]\n- Treble damages (3x): $[AMOUNT × 3]\n- Statutory minimum: $1,000\n- Plus reasonable attorney fees and costs\n\nTotal exposure to your business: $[GREATER OF TREBLE OR $1,000] + fees.\n\nDemand: Refund of $[ORIGINAL_AMOUNT] within 21 days. Continued non-compliance results in:\n1. Filing in Hawaii District Court (small claims if under $5,000)\n2. Complaint to Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection (cca.hawaii.gov/ocp; 808-587-4272)\n3. Complaint to Hawaii Attorney General\n4. Public review and complaint at BBB and online platforms\n\n[NAME]\n[CERTIFIED MAIL #]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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- HRS §480-2
- HRS §480-13 (private remedy — treble damages, $1,000 min, fees)
- Hawaii OCP: cca.hawaii.gov/ocp
- Compauve v. Bishop Square (1985), other case law