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Hawaii Civil Rights Commission Home Page

OVERVIEW

The state of Hawai’i has a strong commitment to the protection of civil rights. Article I, Section 5 of the Hawai’i Constitution provides that “no person shall be denied the enjoyment of civil rights or be discriminated against in the exercise thereof because of race, religion, sex or ancestry.” The legislature gave meaning to this commitment by creating the Hawai’i Civil Rights Commission (HCRC), through enactment of Act 219 in 1988 and Acts 386 and 387 in 1989.

The HCRC was organized in 1990 and officially opened its doors in January 1991. For twelve years the HCRC has enforced state laws prohibiting discrimination in employment (H.R.S. Chapter 378, Part I), housing (H.R.S. Chapter 515); public accommodations (H.R.S. Chapter 489), and access to state and state-funded services (H.R.S. 368-1.5). The HCRC receives, investigates, conciliates, and adjudicates complaints of discrimination. The HCRC has five (5) uncompensated volunteer Commissioners. They are appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, based on their knowledge and experience in civil rights matters and commitment to preserve the civil rights of all individuals.

By law the Commission may hold hearings and make inquiries, as it deems necessary, and has the authority to administer oaths and affirmations, conduct depositions, compel the attendance of parties and witnesses and the production of documents by the issuance of subpoenas, examine parties and witnesses under oath, require answers to interrogatories, and delegate these powers to any member of the commission or any person appointed by the commission for the performance of its functions.

Furthermore the law authorizes the Commission to enforce the State’s anti-discrimination statutes or any of its orders, conciliation agreements, or predetermination settlements by commencing civil action in circuit court; by issuing “right to sue” authority to complainants; or by ordering appropriate legal and equitable relief or affirmative action when violations are found.

The law also authorizes the Commission to appoint an executive director, deputy executive director, hearings examiners, investigators and other necessary support personnel as well as, an attorney to represent the commission in litigation.

CONTACT:

Marcus L. Kawatachi, Executive Director
586-8636
E-Mail [email protected]

Legal Disclaimer

This webpage is provided by the Hawai`i Civil Rights Commission for general information and educational purposes only.  Nothing on this webpage may be considered or deemed to constitute legal advice.  Due to the rapidly changing nature of the law, information may become outdated.  The information presented should not be used by lawyers as a substitute for independent research or by non-lawyers as a substitute for legal or other advice.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

中文 – CHINESE: Cantonese

您需要其它語言嗎?如有需要, 請致電 (808-586-8636), 我們會提供免費翻譯服務 (Traditional)

您需要其它语言吗?如有需要,请致电 (808-586-8636), 我们会提供免费翻译服务 (Simplified)

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

中文 – CHINESE Mandarin

您需要其它語言嗎?如有需要, 請致電 (808-586-8636), 我們會提供免費翻譯服 (Traditional)

您需要其它语言吗?如有需要,请致电 (808-586-8636), 我们会提供免费翻译服务 (Simplified)

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

KAPASEN CHUUK: CHUUKESE

En mi niit alilis lon pwal eu kapas? Sipwe angei emon chon chiaku ngonuk ese kamo. Kokori (808-586-8636) omw kopwe ureni kich meni kapas ka ani.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

ʻŌLELO HAWAIʻI: HAWAIIAN

Makemake `oe i kokua i pili kekahi `olelo o na `aina `e? Makemake la maua i ki`i `oe mea unuhi manuahi. E kelepona (808-586-8636) `oe ia la kaua a e ha`ina `oe ia la maua mea `olelo o na `aina `e.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

ILOKANO: ILOCANO

Masapulyo kadi ti tulong iti sabali a pagsasao? Ikkandakayo iti libre nga paraipatarus. Awaganyo ti (808-586-8636) tapno ibagayo kadakami no ania ti pagsasao nga ar-aramatenyo.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

日本語 (JAPANESE)

貴方は、他の言語に、助けを必要としていますか ? 私たちは、貴方のために、無料で 通訳を用意で きます。電話番号の (808-586-8636) に、電話して、私たちに貴方の話されている言語を申し出てください。

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

한국어: KOREAN

다른언어로 도움이 필요하십니까? 저희가 무료로 통역을 제공합니다. (808-586-8636) 로 전화해서 사용하는 언어를 알려주십시요

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

KAJIN MAJÔL: MARSHALLESE

Kwoj aikuij ke jiban kin juon bar kajin? Kim naj lewaj juon am dri ukok eo ejjelok wonen. Kirtok (808-586-8636) im kwalok non kim kajin ta eo kwo melele im kenono kake.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

GAGANA SAMOA: SAMOAN

E te mana’o mia se fesosoani i se isi gagana? Matou te fesosoani e ave atu fua se faaliliu upu mo oe. Vili mai i le numera lea (808-586-8636) pea e mana’o mia se fesosoani mo se faaliliu upu.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

ESPAÑOL: SPANISH

¿Necesita ayuda en otro idioma? Nosotros le ayudaremos a conseguir un intérprete gratuito. Llame al (808-586-8636) y diganos que idioma habla.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

TAGALOG: TAGALOG

Kailangan ba ninyo ng tulong sa ibang lengguwahe? Ikukuha namin kayo ng libreng tagasalin. Tumawag sa (808-586-8636) para sabihin kung anong lengguwahe ang nais ninyong gamitin.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

ภาษาไทย: THAI

คุณต้องการความช่วยเหลือทางด้านภาษาหรือไม่ ทางเราจะจัดหาล่ามฟรีให้คุณ โทรที่เบอร์ (808-586-8636) และบอกเราว่าคุณพูดภาษาอะไร

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

TIẾNG VIỆT: VIETNAMESE

Bạn có cần giúp đỡ bằng ngôn ngữ khác không ? Chúng tôi se yêu cầu một người thông dịch viên miễn phí cho bạn. Gọi (808-586-8636) nói cho chúng tôi biết bạn dùng ngôn ngữ nào.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission

VISAYAN: CEBUANO

Gakinahanglan ka ba ug tabang sa imong pinulongan? Amo kang mahatagan ug libre nga maghuhubad. Tawag sa (808-586-8636) aron magpahibalo kung unsa ang imong sinulti-han.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.