---
title: "Hawaii real estate website and advertising rules"
description: "Check Hawaii brokerage identification, website placement, license status, team names, property-ad approval, social media, IDX, and fair housing sources."
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---
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# Hawaii real estate website rules: brokerage names, teams, and online ads

Hawaii real estate advertising must identify the brokerage and disclose the individual licensee's status. The Commission tells website advertisers to include required information on each screen. Property advertisements also require owner or seller authorization and broker approval. Check those items before publishing an agent website or listing campaign.

The [Commission's rules page](https://cca.hawaii.gov/reb/har-real-hawaii-administrative-rules/) links the current Chapter 99 compilation. Read 2026.10.10. The sections below distinguish its requirements from Commission guidance and proposed amendments.

## Identify the brokerage and the agent

HAR §16-99-11(a) requires the brokerage's legal name or a trade name previously registered with both the business registration division and the Commission. The rule includes this phrase:

> legal name of the brokerage firm

For advertising that names an individual licensee, §16-99-11(e)(1) permits the legal name, licensed name, or licensed sole-proprietor trade name. Its wording includes:

> name as licensed

Section 16-99-11(e)(2) requires identification with the:

> associating or employing brokerage firm

Source: [HAR §16-99-11(a), (e)(1)–(2), printed pages 99-19–99-20](https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/99-C.pdf). Read 2026.10.10.

For license status, the Commission's advertising guide directs:

> Show license status.

Source: [Commission advertising guidelines, Summer 2004, page 2; HAR §16-99-11(c)](https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/advertising_guidelines.pdf). Read 2026.10.10.

Under current §16-99-11(e)(3), use broker (B) or salesperson (S). Current Hawaii Association of Realtors members may use Realtor (R) or Realtor-Associate (RA), as applicable. Section 16-99-11(c) covers current individual licensees whether active or inactive.

Section 16-99-11(e)(3) includes the designation:

> broker (B)

Source: [HAR §16-99-11(c), (e)(3)](https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/99-C.pdf). Read 2026.10.10.

## Include the required information on each website screen

The August 2023 Commission Bulletin explains that a website is advertising. It tells licensees to ensure required information is:

> included on each screen

Source: [Commission Bulletin, August 2023, “Advertising,” page 2](https://cca.hawaii.gov/reb/files/2023/08/bull2308.pdf). Read 2026.10.10.

Check individual pages and property views, including mobile layouts and printable screens. A homepage disclosure alone does not follow that guidance for other screens. A recurring identity block is one practical implementation.

The reviewed Hawaii rule does not prescribe placement beside every phone number or a brokerage-to-team font-size ratio. November 2019 committee minutes discuss competing size proposals under:

> Proposed §16-99.1-15 Advertisement

Source: [Laws and Rules Review Committee minutes, November 6, 2019, pages 4–5](https://cca.hawaii.gov/reb/files/2019/12/REC-LRRC_191106.pdf). Read 2026.10.10.

Those minutes establish a proposal discussion, not an adopted website placement requirement. For additional branding standards, confirm with your broker.

## Distinguish a license number from license status

The current posted §16-99-11 requires license-status disclosure. It does not state a general requirement to put a license number in every advertisement.

The Commission's August 2016 Bulletin explains its decision concerning proposed number language:

> leave the current language of HAR §16-99-11 intact

Source: [Commission Bulletin, August 2016, “The Chair's Message,” page 3](https://cca.hawaii.gov/reb/files/2016/08/bull1608.pdf). Read 2026.10.10.

That bulletin describes amendment history and enforcement intentions. It does not amend the current status requirement. The 2019 minutes also discuss proposed number provisions. Neither document establishes a current universal number mandate. For brokerage or listing-service number requirements, confirm with your broker.

## Keep team branding connected to the brokerage

The November 2021 Bulletin describes the Commission's February 27, 2015 nonbinding interpretation. It permits a team name when advertised:

> in addition to and not as a replacement

The phrase refers to the brokerage firm's name. The bulletin says the same advertisement must include that name. Team members' advertised names must match their Commission registration, with each individual's broker or salesperson status specified.

The bulletin also states that team names are:

> NOT real estate entities

It explains that an affiliated licensee cannot use a separately registered trade name or LLC as a substitute real estate advertising identity.

Source: [Commission Bulletin, November 2021, “TEAMS - WASSUP?!,” page 2](https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bull2111_revised_1.pdf). Read 2026.10.10. The interpretation is nonbinding; the underlying advertising rule remains HAR §16-99-11.

For a proposed team name, its display, and brokerage approval, confirm with your broker. The 2019 proposed team provisions do not supply an adopted prohibited-word list for this draft.

## Obtain approval before advertising property

HAR §16-99-3(l) requires written owner or seller authorization before advertising property for sale, rent, lease, or exchange. It also requires:

> approval of the principal broker or broker-in-charge

Source: [HAR §16-99-3(l), printed page 99-8](https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/99-C.pdf). Read 2026.10.10. The rule specifies written owner or seller authorization; it does not specify written broker approval.

HRS §467-1.6(a) places the brokerage and its licensees under the principal broker's:

> direct management and supervision

Source: [HRS §467-1.6(a)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol10_Ch0436-0474/HRS0467/HRS_0467-0001_0006.htm). Read 2026.10.10.

For the brokerage's review process for site changes, property campaigns, and social posts, confirm with your broker.

HRS §467-14(3) makes a continued and flagrant course of misrepresentation, or false promises, a disciplinary ground, including conduct:

> through advertising or otherwise

Source: [HRS §467-14(3)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol10_Ch0436-0474/HRS0467/HRS_0467-0014.htm). Read 2026.10.10. Check claims about properties and transactions as well as names and disclosures.

## Check leasehold and office-address conditions

For a leasehold property advertised for sale in any medium, HAR §16-99-11(d) requires the word:

> leasehold

Source: [HAR §16-99-11(d)](https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/99-C.pdf). Read 2026.10.10.

The August 2023 Bulletin quotes §16-99-11(f). If advertising includes an unregistered business-place address, include the street address of the principal business or branch office, as applicable. These must be:

> respectively identified as such

For the statewide-license arrangement in §16-99-5.2, involving an affiliated salesperson or broker-salesperson residing on another island, paragraph (3) addresses advertisements on that other island. It requires the brokerage name and the principal business's:

> address and phone number

Source: [Commission Bulletin, August 2023, “Advertising,” page 2; HAR §16-99-11(f) and §16-99-5.2(3)](https://cca.hawaii.gov/reb/files/2023/08/bull2308.pdf). Read 2026.10.10. These are conditional requirements, not a general command to publish every agent's personal address.

## Treat social advertising and IDX views as advertising

The Commission's advertising guide includes:

> websites, web banners or any other technological devices

Source: [Commission advertising guidelines, Summer 2004, page 2](https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/advertising_guidelines.pdf). Read 2026.10.10.

Apply the advertising checks to promotional social posts and rendered listing views. Inspect what a visitor sees after a search, a property click, or a shared listing link. These are practical checks derived from the guide's broad scope.

The reviewed Hawaii sources do not establish specific IDX attribution wording, refresh intervals, or listing-broker credit placement. Feed-specific disclosures remain unresolved here. For the feed's required wording and permission to display listings, confirm with your broker.

## Check fair housing copy and display guidance

HRS §515-16(7) prohibits advertisements and related statements that indicate discriminatory intent. Its language includes:

> indicates, directly or indirectly, an intent to make a limitation or specification

The protected grounds include race, sex including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, color, religion, marital status, familial status, ancestry, disability, age, and HIV infection.

Source: [HRS §515-16(7)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol12_Ch0501-0588/HRS0515/HRS_0515-0016.htm). Read 2026.10.10. Review listing descriptions, audience language, and inquiry forms against that provision.

The Commission's Summer 2004 guide separately instructs:

> Must show the HUD logo, slogan, or statement.

Source: [Commission advertising guidelines, Summer 2004, page 2](https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/advertising_guidelines.pdf). Read 2026.10.10. The guide attributes this instruction to the Federal Fair Housing Act.

That older guidance does not establish the present federal obligation for every type of website or advertisement. The reviewed Hawaii advertising rule supplies no logo dimensions or universal site-footer specification. For the applicable fair housing logo, slogan, or statement on your housing ads, confirm with your broker.

## A short website check

Use the cited rules and guidance above to review the site:

- Check brokerage identification, agent name, and license status on individual website screens.
- Keep the brokerage visible in team advertising.
- Verify written owner or seller authorization and broker approval for property ads.
- Identify leasehold properties offered for sale.
- Check office-address disclosures when their conditions apply.
- Review social ads and listing views, including direct links and mobile screens.
- Review discriminatory wording and the applicable fair housing display.
- For number requirements, team branding, and feed-specific IDX disclosures, confirm with your broker.

If the site needs a rebuild, see [websites for real estate agents](/for/real-estate).


## Related: Real estate

- [Check your real estate website in 30 minutes](/articles/real-estate-website-audit)
- [Test the seller inquiry path on your real estate website](/articles/seller-inquiry-path-agent-website)
- [Own your real estate website: domain, hosting, editing, and leads](/articles/own-your-site)

----

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