- Does Hawaii sell tax liens or tax deeds?
- Hawaii sells redeemable deeds. No county sells tax lien certificates. The county finance director auctions the parcel itself and delivers a tax deed that vests title in the buyer at once, but the former owner can redeem within one year of the sale.
- What does a Hawaii tax sale buyer earn if the owner redeems?
- Interest at 12 percent a year on the amount paid at the sale, including any amount bid above the upset price, plus the costs the buyer was required to pay, including the deed recording fee. It is an annual rate, not a flat premium, so a redemption a few months after the sale returns only the interest earned to that point.
- How long is the redemption period in Hawaii?
- One year from the date of the sale in every county. In Honolulu and Maui, if the county does not record the tax deed within 60 days of the sale, the window runs one year from recording instead, but no interest is added for the extra time.
- Is there one statewide tax sale law in Hawaii?
- No. The state Real Property Tax Law, HRS Chapter 246, has been repealed, and each county enforces property taxes under its own code: Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Chapter 8, Hawaii County Code Chapter 19, Maui County Code Chapter 3.48 and Kauai County Code Chapter 5A. The four codes follow the same pattern but differ on when a sale is mandatory, surplus claims and how clean the title is.
- When is a Hawaii property sold for unpaid taxes?
- A parcel can be sold once it carries a tax lien. In Honolulu, Maui and Kauai the director must sell once any lien has existed for three years; in Hawaii County the director may sell once a lien has existed for at least two years. Each county sets its own sale date (Hawaii County held two sales in 2026, in January and June) and publishes notice for four weeks before it.
- How do I pay at a Hawaii tax sale?
- The whole bid is due at the auction, with no financing. Honolulu and Maui take cashier's checks only; Kauai and Hawaii County also take cash, certified checks and money orders. Personal checks and cards are refused everywhere. Bring a cashier's check payable to yourself for your maximum bid and endorse it to the county if you win.
- Does a Hawaii tax deed clear mortgages and other liens?
- In Hawaii County and Kauai the code vests title free and clear of liens except later property taxes, State mineral rights and government easements, and lienholders are paid from the surplus if they claim within a year. Honolulu and Maui codes say only that the deed vests title. Every county sells as is with no title warranty, and title insurance is hard to get, so get a title opinion before bidding.
Ready to act on these rules? Follow how to buy Hawaii redeemable tax deeds for the registration, bidding, and post-sale sequence in order.
Verified Sep 27, 2026 against Hawaii statutes.
Tax Sale Atlas publishes educational information about public tax sale processes. This is not legal, financial, or investment advice. Rules, dates, and fees change; confirm with the county office before you bid.