Hawaii's Lemon Law

If you drive a car and it's a lemon, don't make lemonade. Get help through the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. They offer an arbitration program to help owners of poorly running purchased vehicles to recover the money spent on that vehicle.
There is help. Last year alone the DCCA helped recover $919,000. For yearly statistic reports on the Lemon Law, go to www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/rico/scap_llaw/reports_llaw/
It's no laughing matter to have a newly purchased car that doesn't run, but the only way to get through this horrendous situation is to poke fun at it. So, here's the top ten list of why a vehicle may be declared a lemon that is squeezing your pocketbook is as follows:
10. You've looked in the mirror and seen the word sucker written on your forehead after you realized the beauty of the vehicle was only skin deep and a more through examination proved it's defective.
9. It's replete with malfunctioning parts (I.E.-- You spend more time in a tow truck or pushing the vehicle rather than riding in it.) You've also spent a total of 30 or more business days waiting for the vehicle to be fixed.
8. Not only can the vehicle not be used, but you know there's not a snowball's chance in Kilauea that you'll be able to sell the car for fair market value.
7. No one wants to get in the vehicle with you because it's just not safe due to a serious nonconformity that can cause death or serious injury if and when the vehicle is driven.
6. You've tried to get it fixed by the manufacturer's authorized dealer during the period allowed by the Lemon Law but it is still a no-go.
5. You dutifully sent a letter by certified mail with a return receipt requested to the manufacturer of the problems you've been incurring before the statute of limitations runs out on the Lemon Law.
4. You've kept your temper and given both the dealer and manufacturer enough time to make the needed corrections. You've taken the vehicle in at least three times during the Lemon Law Period but it's still broken after the third repair.
3. You're still spending more time riding in a tow truck or pushing the car instead of driving behind the wheel.
2. You've written and asked for arbitration with the State Certified Arbitration Program within 365 days after the Lemon Law Rights Period has lapsed.
1. And, the number one reason...you feel like crying.
For more information call:
OAHU COUNTY
587-3222, then press button 3
MAUI COUNTY
984-2400, then dial 73222, followed by the # pound key.
Lanai and Molokai: 1-800-468-4644, then dial 73222, followed by the # pound key.
BIG ISLAND/HAWAII
974-4000, then dial 73222, followed by the # pound key.
KAUAI COUNTY
274-3141, then dial 73222, followed by the # pound key.
Or write the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs at:
Regulated Industries Complaints Office
Consumer Resource Center
235 S. Beretania St., 9th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813
For more information, visit the Hawaii Lemon Law Internet site at:
www.hawaii.gov/dcca/rico
For a State of Hawaii Lemon Law Handbook, go to: www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/rico/scap_llaw/rico_scap_handbook.pdf/view
For a Motor Vehicle Complaint Form, go to:
www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/rico/forms/