A group of tenants’ rights organizations is warning Hawaiʻi landlords they might face legal consequences for attempting to evict tenants during the state of emergency.

Several organizations trying to raise awareness of what they describe as a growing problem of illegal eviction threats said on Tuesday that they are gearing up to take more legal action against landlords.

Advocacy groups say more landlords are violating the emergency eviction ban that's meant to keep people housed and safe during this public health crisis.

Landlords should know that it’s illegal to threaten, evict or lock people out of the properties they’re renting right now.

Nonprofits say they are being overwhelmed with calls from desperate renters and worry about a public housing rule that mandates social distancing, with the threat of eviction.

Advocates say they’ve had to take over reentry services for prisoners released because of COVID-19 worries.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s comments contradict the CDC and the experience of correctional facilities across the country where coronavirus is spreading rapidly.

The Supreme Court is considering the proposed releases to avoid a coronavirus outbreak in correctional facilities.

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald instructed some Hawaiʻi judges on Tuesday to identify inmates who can be released in an attempt to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Like child labor laws, the minimum wage and workplace safety regulations, housing is a basic right.

According to a new report from non-profit group Lawyers for Equal Justice, 95 percent of eviction cases in Hawaiʻi resulted in the tenant being evicted.