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Tax Sale Atlas

Hawaii tax sales

Hawaii tax sale statutes

Hawaii tax sales run on 19 statutory citations, starting with ROH 8-5.2. Tax Sale Atlas holds this for all 4 Hawaii counties, checked Sep 27, 2026.

These are the Hawaii statutes that decide how tax deeds are sold. Each links to the official text so you can read the exact language before you rely on it.

The governing law

Hawaii sells redeemable deeds, not tax lien certificates, and each of the four counties runs its own sale under its own code. Once a real property tax lien has existed long enough (three years in Honolulu, Maui and Kauai, where the sale then becomes mandatory; two years in Hawaii County, where it remains discretionary), the county finance director may sell the parcel by foreclosure without suit at a public auction to the highest bidder for cash. The opening (upset) price is the delinquent tax, penalty, interest and sale costs, and the whole bid is paid at the auction. The director then delivers a tax deed that vests title in the purchaser at once, subject to the former owner's right to redeem within one year of the sale by paying the purchaser the amount paid, the costs the purchaser was required to pay including the deed recording fee, and interest at 12 percent a year. Sales are held in person; no county runs an online tax-sale platform.

Want the mechanics in plain English instead of statute numbers? See how to buy in Hawaii, the redemption period, and the full Hawaii walkthrough.

Statute citations verified Sep 27, 2026. Statutes are amended; always confirm the current text at the official link before you rely on it.

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.

See how the law plays out by county

Statutes are statewide, but sale calendars and platforms are set county by county.

All Hawaii countiesHow to buy, step by step