Hawai’i County Tax Rates

 

One of the most common questions I receive from buyers relocating to Hawaii Island is how property taxes compare to those in their home state. While Hawaii generally has some of the lowest effective property tax rates in the nation, the amount you pay depends on your property’s classification, assessed value, and whether you qualify for homeowner exemptions. Understanding these factors before purchasing can help you budget confidently and avoid surprises after closing.

Real Property Tax rates are set annually by the Hawai’i County Council on or before June 20 preceding the tax year for which property tax revenues are to be raised. This is per the Hawai’i County Code, Chapter 19, Article 11, Section 19-90.

The minimum real property tax is $200. To review conditions where there is an exception to the minimum tax, please refer to Hawai’i County Code, Chapter 19, Article 11, Section 19-90 (e).

* Ordinance 22-26 created two tax rates for the Residential Property Tax Class. For properties with a value of $2 million and more with no exemption, the higher tax rate applies to only the portion of the property valued at $2 million and more.

Hawaii Island property tax rates guide for homeowners, buyers, and investors in Hawaii County

Useful Links:

Hawaii County Property Tax Office

Hawaii County Property Tax Links

New Owner Information

Property Tax Payments

Homeowner Exemption Programs including Veterans

Search Kona Area Homes and Condos

Search South Kohala and Resort Communities

Hawaii County property tax rates guide showing the Big Island of Hawaii coastline for homeowners, buyers, and real estate investors.

Why I Include the Hawaii Island Tax Map Key

One of the most valuable tools I share with my clients is the Hawaii Island Tax Map Key (TMK) map. While it may look like a simple collection of numbers and boundaries at first glance, it provides an incredible amount of information about where a property is located and how it fits into the larger geography of Hawaii Island.

As a real estate broker, I believe buyers should understand far more than just a property’s address. The Tax Map Key helps identify the property’s district, section, plat, and parcel, creating a unique identifier that is used throughout the buying process for property taxes, title work, permits, surveys, zoning, legal descriptions, and county records. Every parcel on Hawaii Island has its own unique TMK, making it one of the most important reference numbers you’ll encounter during a real estate transaction.

Understanding the TMK system also helps buyers become familiar with the different regions of Hawaii Island. As you begin looking at properties, you’ll quickly notice that the first digits of the TMK tell you which district a property is located in, whether that’s North Kona, South Kohala, North Kohala, Puna, Hilo, Kaʻū, or another part of the island. Once you understand how the map works, you’ll find it much easier to recognize where properties are located and compare neighborhoods across the island.

For those who already call Hawaii Island home, learning the TMK system provides a better understanding of how the County organizes land ownership, assessments, tax records, and planning. It is a system used daily by real estate professionals, surveyors, title companies, lenders, contractors, and county agencies, and it becomes an invaluable resource for homeowners as well.

I enjoy providing valuable insight for  my clients how to use this resource because an informed buyer makes better decisions. My goal is not simply to help you purchase a property, but to help you understand the island, the communities, and the unique systems that make buying real estate in Hawaii unique.