ALOHA THROUGH THE SHAKA
Hawai’i Bill HB2736 aims to recognize the “Shaka” as the state’s official gesture, attesting to its origin in Hawai’i and cultural significance. The bill highlights the Shaka’s role in preserving heritage, boosting the economy, and promoting the Aloha spirit. Public support is crucial as the bill progresses through hearings and committees before potentially reaching Governor Josh Green for approval.
What is the difference between Fee Simple (FS) and Leasehold (LH)?
Here are some terms that you may need to know while considering buying a property.
Leasehold (LH) A way of holding title to property. The lessor holds the Fee Simple (FS) interest and the lessee hold the leasehold interest. The leasehold interest is determined by the lease itself. It is important to know the following facts about a lease before you consider purchasing:
Term or time left on the lease. The longer the term, the more desireable.
Lease Rent: What you pay to the lessor monthly, semi-annually or annually.
Lease Period: A fixed period of determined lease rent.
Surrender Clause. Some leases are not renewable and have a surrender clause.
Fee Simple (FS) This is the way most of America owns property. You have a deed proving that you are a vested land owner. Here in Hawaii, most of the land is owned by huge estates which are remnants of the old Hawaiian monarchy. The Kingdom of Hawaii owned all of the land. Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, is the largest of these land owners. They own 341,546 acres or approximately 23% of all of the land
1886 Law of the Sea Hinders Tourism Development in Hawaii
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The US maritime law, passed just days before air travel, exports American tourism dollars to countries such as Canada, Mexico and Aruba.
The Passenger Ship Act of 1886 does this by prohibiting ships flying a foreign flag or built under a foreign flag from carrying passengers between U.S. ports unless they stop in another country.
For example, cruises on foreign ships can sail from San Diego to Hawaii, but only if they add Ensenada, Mexico to the itinerary. Cruises from Seattle to Alaska usually stop in Vancouver or elsewhere in Canada, and cruises from Florida to New York usually include a detour in Aruba.
Foreign cruise ships departing from Hawaii have been known to divert 1,000 miles south to Fanning Island, which is part of the Republic of Kiribati.
These legal exceptions enrich foreign destinations at the expense of U.S. tourism hotspots. The original intent of the law was to “protect” US passenger airliners from foreign competition. But those days are long gone, and PVSA is now like a duck to water. The US simply no longer has a large ocean liner industry to protect. As of the end of 2022, there is only one major U.S.-flagged cruise ship authorized to operate under the PVSA. Ironically named “The Pride of America”, it was built primarily in Germany and operates with an exception that limits its service to Hawaii.
In terms of shipbuilding, no major cruise ships have been built in the United States since 1958; most large cruise ships these days are built in Europe and Asia.
Even if US shipyards could build large cruise ships, they would simply cost too much. Container ships and tankers, for example, typically cost three to four times more in the United States than overseas.
As a result, there are no major American-built cruise ships serving the US cruise market other than Pride of America, and foreign ports, especially in Canada and Mexico, are the main beneficiaries.
Tourist dollars are going to other countries
British Columbia, Canada, home to Vancouver and Victoria, generates more than $2 billion in revenue annually from American-origin cruise ships, according to one estimate.
Now Panama wants in on the action. A few months ago, the country announced it would pay $100,000 to Washington lobbying firm Potomac Partners to help change Panama’s status under the PVSA from a “nearby foreign port” to a “distant foreign port.”
This seemingly minor change could be a game changer for Panama, as most ports in North and Central America, including Panama, are considered nearby foreign ports.
Under the PVSA, U.S. cruises visiting nearby foreign ports must begin and end at the same U.S. port. In other words, a cruise to Hawaii that starts in San Diego and stops in Ensenada must end in San Diego because Ensenada is considered a nearby foreign port.
Cruises starting in the United States and stopping at a distant foreign port such as Oranjestad, Aruba or Yokohama, Japan, or anywhere outside North and Central America, may disembark passengers at ports other than the one from which they departed.
If Panama were to gain “long-haul” foreign port status, it could attract more cruise tourism because cruises that originate in the U.S. would no longer have to return to ports of origin to disembark passengers. For example, passengers traveling from Los Angeles to Miami with a short visit to Panama will not have to return to Los Angeles aboard the same ship.
In its filing with the U.S. Department of Justice, Potomac Partners said the remote port designation would “assist the economic development of Panama.” Twenty years ago, when Panama asked U.S. Customs and Border Protection to administratively change its status, it predicted that “the number of American passengers visiting Panama would increase tenfold.”
Customs denied that earlier request. This time Panama is pushing for legislative changes. Potomac Partners hopes to be able to “take the necessary actions to ensure expeditious passage of this PVSA amendment in Congress,” the statement said.
But Panama’s attempt to gain long-distance foreign port status ignores a fundamental question: Why maintain PVSA in its current form at all?
There are a few US river cruise lines that are “protected” by the law, but why not waive the PVSA as it applies to large ocean ships?
A world without PVSA
Without PVSA, cruises from Florida to Maine would be possible without calling at Aruba. Instead, U.S. port cities such as Savannah, Georgia, and Atlantic City could reap those previously exported tourism dollars.
Cruises up and down the California coast could thrive without the required night in Ensenada. People could board a cruise ship from Oahu to Maui without the cruise line being fined $798 for violating the PVSA.
Many cruise lines may still want to include stops abroad in their itineraries, but those stops will be determined by market demand rather than an arbitrary, outdated law.
Recognizing the harm of the PVSA, Senators Mike Lee of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska amended the law. Lee proposes exempting large cruise ships from the law or repealing the law entirely; Murkowski’s legislation would only exempt large ocean liners heading to Alaska if there are no similar U.S.-built ships that can meet the demand.
Either way, US states and port communities will benefit as tourism dollars stop flowing overseas.
What is the reason for the slow and expensive process of building houses in Hawaii?
There is something very telling in the fact that it’s taken almost half a year to see anything come from the governor’s emergency proclamation aimed at speeding up homebuilding in Hawaii.
The governor’s order, announced in July 2023, established a 36-member Beyond Barriers Working Group to guide the hastening of housing construction, but it wasn’t until late December that it was able to approve its first application.
This highlights the challenges faced by the governor’s attempt to remove government barriers to housing construction and the severity of the problem.
The first application to be approved by the working group was a request to waive the state-mandated school impact fee for a project in downtown Honolulu involving the conversion of an office building into 52 affordable rental apartments.
The request was submitted by the project builder about two weeks before the working group’s Dec. 20 meeting, and had the support of the state Department of Education.
But the seemingly minor request actually has called attention to a major issue.
According to Honolulu Star-Advertiser reporter Andrew Gomes: “A couple members of the working group, which had difficulty establishing a quorum for the recent meeting, expressed frustration over spending what ended up being nearly 30 minutes assessing the school fee waiver request instead of five or 10 minutes.”
Sterling Higa, executive director of Housing Hawaii’s Future and a member of the Beyond Barriers Working Group, told Gomes there is no good reason to charge downtown projects a school impact fee at all.
“The schools in this area have shrinking student populations,” he said, “so whatever impact fee would be paid by the residents of this building isn’t actually going to help them get new schools in the area.”
To make matters worse, the state Office of the Auditor has sharply criticized the DOE’s administration of impact fees, even questioning whether they violate Hawaii’s constitutional requirement that there be a “nexus” between the proposed new units and the need for more classroom capacity.
Not surprisingly, some housing advocates say the Legislature should abolish or reform school impact fees, since they have not proven to be particularly useful in addressing education needs.
They also can add up to be quite costly. The downtown area has a school impact fee of $3,864 per unit, which would have amounted to $200,928 for the 52-unit project that sought the exemption.
My hope is that the 2024 Legislature will take a hard look at school impact fees and align them with our modern realities.
More important, we must remember that the slow, expensive process of constructing homes in Hawaii isn’t caused by just one regulation or fee — it’s due to an endless web of regulations, mandates, fees, approvals and permitting delays that we have been forced to endure for many decades.
Further proving my point: Gomes reported that this downtown conversion project has been proceeding under a 2019 city law intended to create 500 affordable rental units a year through financial incentives and regulation and fee waivers. Yet, as of November 2023, only two projects have been completed under the program.
But don’t let that get you down. Resolving Hawaii’s housing crisis is possible, and there are numerous simple fixes available to lawmakers now that could make a big difference at no cost to taxpayers.
You can learn about many of those possible fixes in a new report from the Grassroot Institute Hawaii titled “How to facilitate more homebuilding in Hawaii,” which you can read or download for free at the Grassroot website.
Reforming school impact fees would remove one brick from the wall that stands between us and more affordable housing. Our goal must be to remove many more so we can resolve Hawaii’s housing crisis once and for all.
E hana kākou! (Let’s work together!)
Keli’i Akina, Ph.D.
President / CEO
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
The publication was taken from the official newsletter Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Existing short-term Hawaii rentals may remain in operation, judge rules
The ordinance that made levies heavy fines on short-term rentals in Honolulu remains in effect, however, for any new rentals beginning operations after the ordinance was put in place.
by Candace Cheung, Court House News, December 21, 2023
HONOLULU — Despite a 2022 ordinance that made short-term rentals illegal, a federal judge ruled Thursday that members of a group of property owners running these rentals can continue renting as they have done for years.
U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson sided with a group of short-term rental owners in his ruling, granting summary judgment to them and allowing existing short-term rentals to continue operations and advertisement.
The Hawaii Legal Short-term Rental Alliance first contested the April 2022 passing of Ordinance 22-7 as it would redefine “short-term” from a minimum of 30 days to 90 days for residential properties — a change that meant any rental period from 30 to 89 days would be prohibited and subject to thousands of dollars in fines.
Watson had granted the group a temporary injunction allowing for them to operate under the 30 day minimum just before the ordinance was set to go into effect on October 2022, but his new ruling grants them a permanent injunction, though it doesn’t apply to any short-term rentals that didn’t exist before the ordinance was put in place.
The alliance — made up of existing property owners and managers, some of whom had been operating these short-term rentals since the establishment of the city’s first rental restrictions in the 1980s — said in their June 2022 complaint that this new ordinance would violate their grandfathered rights. They also said it would result in significant financial losses and that eliminating their rentals meant eliminating necessary visitors like traveling contractors and health care workers.
The alliance had argued that the ordinance violates a state zoning law restricting counties from passing zoning ordinances that conflict with usages prior to the ordinance.
Watson emphasized that the law is “plain and unambiguous” as to new ordinances.
“There is nothing to suggest that HRS § 46-4(a) does not mean exactly what it says — that a county is barred from passing any law that would eliminate existing lawful residential uses,” he wrote.
Though the city had argued that the ordinance should be considered a rent control regulation rather than a zoning regulation, Watson dismisses the idea, writing that “the city drafted and passed Ordinance 22-7 as part of the Land Use Ordinance of the City and County of Honolulu. Though the placement of the ordinance is not, by itself, determinative, its location and characterization belie the city’s current attempts to call it something it is not and never was—even according to the city.”
Watson did refuse, however, to do away with the ordinance completely, keeping it in place for short-term rentals outside of the scope of the alliance.
Honolulu City Council originally passed the ordinance to address the proliferation of these short-term rentals— often owned and operated by out-of-state landlords — that detractors say drive up housing costs for already struggling residents and disrupt local way of life.
Short-term rentals have received renewed attention as thousands displaced by the Maui wildfires face possible housing insecurity again as the short-term market has refused to become long-term housing, prompting Governor Josh Green to threaten the “nuclear option” on short-term rentals, the Honolulu Civil Beat reported.
Hawaii Luxury Market Report Steady Sales Growth
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Luxury Market at a Glance: Property Values Rising as Luxury Real Estate Sales Rise
Hawai’i Life just released its 2022 year-end luxury goods market report in Hawaii. Full of island-by-island data, infographics and the year’s most impressive and noteworthy properties, the report shows that across the island chain, the property market grew steadily throughout the year.
Over the past decade, statewide luxury sales have topped every year in both number of transactions and total dollar value except for 2021. Property values also continued to rise across all segments of the luxury market, despite fluctuating interest rates.
While the year-end report compares 2022 to 2021, it also offers a long-term view of the Hawaii luxury real estate market to provide a more accurate picture of where the Hawaii luxury real estate market is and where it is heading.
According to the report, there were no signs of a bottom falling or recession in Hawaii at the time of publication. While the looming recession is still debated, there’s no arguing that demand for luxury real estate across the island chain in 2022 was higher than ever.
In this post, we’ll look at the highlights from the Hawaii Luxury Market Report for the year. For an overview of luxury property market data and insights across the island chain, the company’s performance throughout the year and what we expect in the future!
Hawaii Luxury Market at a Glance: Luxury Goods Sales in 2022 Topped Almost Every Year of the Last Decade
Luxury goods sales in 2022 have exceeded every year of the past decade in both number of transactions and total dollar value except for 2021, according to a new report on the luxury market in Hawaii. The second quarter of the year was particularly active, with Q2 closings accounting for 38.77% of luxury real estate sales for the year in dollar terms. Moreover, 34.36% of all high-profile transactions in the State of Hawaii were closed in the second quarter of 2022.
By the third quarter of 2022, the record growth in luxury real estate sales that began in the summer of 2020 came to a rather abrupt end. By the end of the year, however, we had yet to see significant depreciation in value. What we did see was a steady increase in property values in every segment of the luxury real estate market in Hawaii (defined as sales at or above $3 million).
Location has been proven to play a significant role in influencing property values in the luxury market. In terms of the ultra-luxury market (defined as sales of $10 million or more), the impressive portion of this segment has been driven primarily by the rarity that many of our ultra-high-net-worth clients value most.
Sales over $3 million statewide included 488 sales ranging from $3 million to $5.99 million, 101 sales ranging from $6 million to $9.99 million, and 63 luxury sales over $10 million, for a total of 652 deals by the end of the year. While this value is down from the unprecedented 838 transactions in 2021, the value is still the second highest in the last 10 years.
Oahu Luxury Real Estate Market
In 2022, Oahu’s luxury real estate market growth, which has been observed throughout the year, continued, presumably due to the opening of international markets. By the end of 2022, Oahu had recorded 178 sales ranging from $3 million to $5.99 million or more and 32 sales ranging from $6 million to $9.99 million.
For all of 2022, the Oahu luxury condo market accounted for 57 sales and 3 sales over $3 million. Making up more than 73% of all transactions over $3 million, it’s clear that single-family homes are back in vogue, with 164 homes sold in 2022.
Compared to 2021 and 2022, luxury goods sales on Oahu reached a total dollar value of $1.13 million by the end of 2022, down 3.67% from 2021. Despite this decline, Oahu has outpaced other islands in luxury sales. by 88.72% from 2021 to $200.08 million.
In terms of total transaction volume for properties at or above $10 million, Oahu also saw greater growth than other Hawaiian islands. The growth the island has experienced has been nothing short of extraordinary: Oahu had 14 transactions in 2022 compared to 7 in 2021, representing a 100% increase.
Kauai Luxury Real Estate Market
The island of Kauai has received more attention this year, in part because of a North Shore estate that was listed and sold to Hawai’i Life. As the state’s most expensive luxury sale, it sold for $36 million after being on the market for just 40 days, well below the average number of days on market (DOM). Down 40.9% from 151.7 days in 2021, Kauai’s average market days in 2022 was 89.6.
In 2022, 60 Kauai deals were in the $3 million to $5.99 million price range, 14 were in the $6 million to $9.99 million range and 13 were at $10 million or higher for a total of $568.03 million.
Of the 87 luxury goods transactions, there were 9 condominium transactions and 5 land transactions. With 73 transactions for the year, home sales on Kauai were particularly strong. The majority of the 87 transactions occurred on the north shore of Kauai, where 47 transactions occurred. Explosive growth was also seen on the South Bank, where 30 luxury items were sold.
Kauai’s sales price of $2,407 per square foot beat the state average of $1,835 per square foot. And Kauai topped state averages with an average listing price of $6.8 million and an average sales price of $6.353 million in 2022.
Maui Luxury Real Estate Market
A look at Maui real estate sales data for 2022 shows that it is in line with pre-pandemic data. By the end of 2022, the number of months of inventory on Maui homes priced over $3 million increased from 9.5 months in 2021 to 18.2 months, indicating that buyers have begun to gain more bargaining power.
In 2022, Maui trading volume of $3 million or more continued to exceed pre-pandemic levels. Valley Island recorded 184 sales of $3 million or more for a total of $1.09 million. Although this is 31.6% less than last year, it is 95.7% more than in 2017. Of the 184 transactions on Maui, 13 were land, 72 were condos and 99 were residential.
Among the most notable sales that topped $3 million were listings conducted by our team on Maui, including a rare two-lot listing in Kihei that sold for $8.38 million in March. Another deal that confirmed Maui was worth pursuing was a 73-acre oceanfront estate in Haiku that sold in June for $15 million. Of the four most populous islands in Hawaii, Maui saw the most transactions over $10 million, with 20 transactions in that segment.
Hawaii luxury real estate market
Hawaii Island saw total luxury transactions of $927.4 million in 2022, more than double the $455.5 million in 2017, before the pandemic. While the state of Hawaii saw a decline in sales, there were 157 luxury sales on Hawaii Island, down just 24.15% from 2021.
The Big Island luxury market remained strong in 2022 with 64 condo sales, 73 home sales and 20 land sales over $3 million. Of the four most populous islands, Hawaii Island had the most land sold, including the largest tract of land sold in the entire state of Hawaii. The 1,834-acre site in Naalehu sold in November for $4.69 million.
In 2022, we saw more seller buyouts and creative financings, with buyers looking to move into the right home immediately. So it’s no surprise that luxury homes in Hawaii stayed on the market for just 69.2 days in 2022. Down 52.2% from 144.8 days in 2021, the island’s average days on market (DOM) was significantly lower than other islands.
In 2022, Hawaii home buyers paid an average of 97.8% of the list price for their luxury properties. And some of the highest home transactions occurred on the Big Island, including 37 total listing sales above the $3 million mark. for a total of $221.74 million.
Looking forward
As 2023 unfolds, Hawai’i Life will continue to take a broader look at the luxury market, examining data over the last decade to understand exactly where the luxury market in Hawaii is and where it is heading. Our capabilities, experience with agency in all its forms (buyer, seller and dual agency) and ability to see the big picture continue to allow Hawai’i Life to increase our market share in this coveted Hawaii luxury real estate space.
Looking ahead, a significant amount of data continues to point to Hawaii’s fundamental economic strength. Demand for luxury homes in Hawaii continues to outpace available supply, and we expect this to continue into 2023.
Featured How to move to HAWAII
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Whether you’re retired, have a tropical island job, or are a freelance worker, moving to Hawaii is a secondary dream for many people across the country . With its gorgeous weather, favorable climate, slow pace of life, and wonderful people, Hawaii stands out as one of the most enjoyable states to live in the modern era. In this article, you’ll learn what you need to do to move to Hawaii, settle into your new apartment, and make the most of your island solitude.
Income
You’ll want to make sure you can support your life while you’re in Hawaii . This means that you will need some source of income. This could be retirement benefits, freelancing gigs, a local bar, or a job in the hospitality industry. What’s important is that you need to be sure that you can pay your way – you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you have to suddenly return at short notice when your funds dry up.
Moving things
Of course, moving your belongings from your home state to Hawaii isn’t as easy as moving them overland. It will be expensive and you will need to ship them either by sea or by air. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not bring all your belongings—many of them can be purchased in Hawaii. You should consider purchasing the following items on the island to save on shipping costs:
- Kitchenware
- Furniture and bedding
- Large electrical items
- Household appliances of all types
- Cloth
In that sense, it’s worth selling your home furnished if possible, or renting it out while you’re in Hawaii—however long that may be
Find a place
Hawaii may be known in movies for its beach shacks and generally simple but pleasant housing – bungalows and modest apartments – but there is another side to Hawaii that is urban, chic and sophisticated. Visit the URBAN OAHU website to discover high-rise buildings built as a resort, with a high standard of living and an amazing community atmosphere.
Where you live will greatly determine how your experience in Hawaii develops over time; So, you should choose wisely when choosing comfort and familiarity and be prepared to make friends in the social areas around your apartment.
Hawaii is a notoriously friendly place . You’ll have no trouble making friends or finding your footing on the islands – you’ll be introduced to a different way of life by the islanders, who will help you get back on your feet.
However, it is still important, as in any other place, to build your life more thoroughly once you are in Hawaii – with clubs, groups, dinners and everything else that is usually recommended for people moving to a new place . Experience the local culture, cuisine and nightlife and quickly become part of this vibrant community.
If you are interested in moving to Hawaii and need to purchase or rent a property, you can fill out the form and our real estate professionals will contact you. We hope the tips here will help you get the most out of your move to somewhere tropical and fun in the Hawaiian Islands.
Are Hawaii’s taxes the highest in the US?
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Hawaii Biography would like to provide comments on a bill that would create an income tax surcharge for individuals earning more than $5 million annually, or estates and trusts with annual income of more than $200,000.
Although the bill’s language calls it a “surcharge,” it would be more accurate to call it an income tax increase for certain individuals, estates, and trusts.
If passed, this bill would add 5% to the income tax rate for individual filers earning more than $5 million and joint filers earning more than $10 million. The “surcharge” will be 3% for single filers earning more than $12.5 million and joint filers earning more than $25 million. For estates and trusts, an additional 5% applies on income over $200,000 and 3% on income over $500,000.
This income tax increase will give Hawaii the highest income tax rate in the country . It would also accelerate the departure of high-income people to states with lower tax rates.
Hawaii already has the third-highest rate of economic exodus per capita in the country. Researchers have noted a growing trend of economic migration at the state level over the past few years, especially from high-tax states to lower-tax states.
While this trend may start with high earners, it will quickly spread and impact the state as a whole. Along with high-income earners come more business opportunities and new ventures, so professionals and middle-income families will soon follow suit. At the same time, the tax base is reduced, and fewer people have to bear the burden of the state budget.
Essentially, this bill will worsen this problem and accelerate economic flight from Hawaii.
It’s not just that these tax increases are necessary to replenish government coffers. Hawaii is running a budget surplus due to higher-than-expected revenues coupled with an infusion of federal funds.
While the tax increases outlined in this bill may only apply to wealthy individuals, estates, and trusts, they will have a negative impact on Hawaii residents as a whole. The tax hikes proposed here would likely discourage business and discourage investment, exacerbating the unemployment and lack of opportunity that is already forcing many residents to move elsewhere.
The small and speculative increase in revenue that this tax increase might bring would be offset by the damage it would cause to the rest of the state’s economy.
This proposal appears to ignore the reality of our state’s budget surplus and the challenges our businesses and residents have had to face over the past two years. The reality is that there are many reasons why we should be wary of tax increases. Here are just a few:
- Hawaii residents are already among the highest taxed in the country; The state has the second highest overall tax burden in the United States.
- Hawaii can’t handle tax hikes as its already battered economy has been hit harder by lockdowns than any other state in the country.
- Hawaii’s population has declined by 32,237 people since fiscal year 2016. left Hawaii’s remaining taxpayers with a larger tax burden.
- Hawaii has a progressive income tax that taxes high income earners at 11%, second only to California at 13.3%.
- Hawaii’s top 1% already pays 23% of all income taxes in the state.
The rationale for a tax on the rich is that such funds will be used in programs to help the less fortunate. However, a wealth tax, especially one that can be avoided by relocating, is unlikely to provide much benefit to the rest of Hawaii’s residents.
If Hawaii’s lawmakers want to help working families, they should abandon their reliance on taxes as a public policy tool that has succeeded only in making Hawaii the state with the highest cost of living.
Instead of trying to solve the state’s economic problems with a tax on the “rich,” lawmakers should focus on strategies to reduce the cost of living, such as lowering income taxes, exempting the general excise tax on groceries and health care services, lowering fees, and relaxing regulations that limit opportunities and hinder economic growth.
Hawaii Biography – Life and Business in Hawaii Our motto is: “E hana kākou” . In Hawaiian it means “Let’s work together . “
Unfortunately, politics in Hawaii can be messy, and too often good people fight in the mud while ordinary people continue to struggle.
That’s why we value a non-partisan group with supporters from different ideologies. It is thanks to the collaboration of all these people that we were able to achieve a lot of good things, despite the abundance of bad policies.
Hawaii Biography is committed to supporting local businesses that advocate for the rights of Hawaii residents. Part of your assistance goes toward informational and legal support for new state laws.
Hawaii Biography – Let’s work together!
Support for the purchase/sale of real estate in Hawaii
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If you are thinking about selling a Hawaiian condo/home that you already own or a business that you operate in Hawaii, let us help. We can also help with the purchase of real estate in Hawaii.
You can sell real estate from any country without visiting Hawaii. Please feel free to contact us by filling out the form .
The Hawaii Real Estate Selling Process
We will present the overall process along with the sales support we provide.
- STEP 1) Property valuation
We will calculate the market value of the property you own and
offer an accurate selling price.
In addition to market research, we will conduct purchase and sale transactions of real estate and surrounding areas, as well as actual research of real estate on the islands.
Start of publication on real estate resources
After consultation with the seller’s client, once the sale price has been determined, we will begin listing it for sale on the market.
If it is a residential property, it will be listed on the MLS (General Property Search System) to attract more agents on the buyer’s side.
Preview Control [Open House]
We will respond to inquiries received from interested buyers and conduct previews.
- STEP 2) Purchasing Requisition Compliance
We carefully review the purchase application (Offer) from the buyer who has decided to purchase the property, consult with the buyer and seller, giving advice, and select the best applicant for purchase. Having decided that this is the ideal purchasing partner, and if you like the details of the purchase/sale, the seller accepts them as is and proceeds to concluding the contract.
Request to correct a condition
If you are an ideal buyer, but are not satisfied with the contents of the property, send the seller a document (counteroffer) amending the contents of the purchase and sale agreement.
- STEP 3) Perform Due Diligence
Disclose information about the object and transfer it to the buyer. We will also assist you in preparing documents at this time. We will cooperate with the buyer’s due diligence and respond to any requests for termite removal or repair if found.
Please leave the construction work needed for termite extermination and repair to us. (The cost at this time will be borne by the client who is the seller)
If the buyer wishes to purchase the property as is, we will carry out a professional cleaning before confirming final ownership. (The cost at this time will also be borne by the customer who is the seller)
- STEP 4) Notarization procedure
Registration of the transfer of ownership requires the seller’s signature before a notary. In some countries, this is possible at a US embassy, consulate or notary public (fee, advance reservation required). Original legal documents that have been notarized will be transferred to the escrow company at least 3 days before registration.
Registration is completed
Escrow will register the transfer of ownership and the key will be given to the buyer to complete the transfer.
Enter the payment amount for the property
Along with various costs, the specified account will be credited with the sale amount minus the agent’s commission. (In the United States, paying a real estate agent when buying and selling real estate is that
the seller pays a commission for both the seller and the buyer. This is generally 5%-6% of the final sale price.)
If you are interested in our services, please fill out the form and we will contact you as soon as possible.
Working from Hawaii?
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If you could work anywhere in the world, where would you work? Majestic green mountains, towering waterfalls, sparkling blue water and powerful waves may put Hawaii at the top of your list of places to work. With the rise in popularity of remote work, working from home in Hawaii is becoming more accessible to people whose employers are located around the world.
At the height of the coronavirus epidemic, it is estimated that more than 70 percent of employees were working from home. And as COVID-19 restrictions eased and technology continued to transform industries, some employers continued to work from home. But before you pack your bags to work from home in Hawaii, research Hawaii’s economy and industry to decide if remote work in Hawaii is right for you.
And if you decide to move, our best tips for working remotely from Hawaii can help ease your transition to paradise.
How is the economy doing in Hawaii?
While Hawaii has some of the best waves in the world, its economy isn’t that great. Hawaii’s economy ranks near the bottom of other U.S. states on a number of measures, including GDP and savings. According to the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis, Hawaii ranked 38th and California ranked first in gross domestic product, or GDP, at the end of 2020. In general terms, GDP is the value of goods and services produced minus the value of the goods and services needed to produce them. Classify:
State of GDP (million $)
- California 3,120,386
- Texas 1,772,132
- New York 1,705,127
- Florida 1,111,614
- 24 Oregon 253,849
- 38 Hawaii 89,866
- 50 Vermont 33,278
Hawaii also ranks low compared to other U.S. states for low average retirement savings, ranking 45th out of 51 (including Puerto Rico), according to Daily Capitol data as of April 2021.
Categorize Condition | Average retirement savings
- Connecticut $523,568
- New Hampshire $494,562
- New Jersey $489,664
- Alaska $489,070
- 45 Hawaii $345,401
- 50 North Dakota $310,766
- 51 Utah $300,392
As the world’s most isolated island chain and increasingly dependent on imports, Hawaii’s economy is not the best. Additionally, the cost of living in Hawaii is among the highest in the United States, with high costs for food, gas, building materials, and housing. According to the Council for Social and Economic Research, Hawaii has the highest cost of living of any US state. At the start of 2021, Hawaii’s cost of living index was 196.3, meaning the cost of living in Hawaii is 96.3% higher than the U.S. average. The Housing Index was 336.3, which is not surprising since median sales prices for single-family homes on Oahu as of May 2021 were approaching $1,000,000. The cost of living index also includes costs for groceries, utilities and transportation, with Hawaii ranking nearly highest in all categories.
Classify Condition Cost of Living Index $
- Hawaii 192.9
- California 151.7
- New York 139.1
- Oregon 134.2 48
- 48 Oklahoma 87
- 49 Arkansas 86.9
- 50 Mississippi 86.1
Thus, Hawaii’s economy is not stellar and the cost of living is high. However, working from home in Hawaii with a high salary on the US mainland or for an international company can make the cost of paradise a viable option.
Additionally, if more people with high-paying jobs move to Hawaii to work remotely, this could gradually shift Hawaii’s economy in a more positive direction, especially since there are currently only a few limited industries in Hawaii.
What are Hawaii’s major industries?
If you’re considering working remotely in Hawaii, you might be wondering what do people typically do at work in Hawaii? The isolated Hawaiian Islands have only a few major industries that employ the majority of Hawaii’s residents.
Tourism is by far the largest industry in Hawaii. Although COVID-19 has slowed travel, tourism in Hawaii is rebounding. According to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Hawaii received 10,387,000 visitors in the first quarter of 2019 and 6,637,000 visitors in the first quarter of 2021. In both years, tourism contributed more than $95,045 million to gross domestic product.
After tourism, the United States military is also a large part of Hawaii’s economy, with military installations for the Air Force, Army, National Guard, Marines and Coast Guard on Oahu. The federal government provides nearly 35,000 civilian jobs in Hawaii and tens of thousands more jobs for all military personnel who call Hawaii home.
Agriculture and fishing were once important industries in Hawaii. However, over the years they have decreased. Sugar cane and pineapple plantations were important historical industries in Hawaii, making Hawaii one of the most productive agricultural states in the country. According to the State of Hawaii, currently 85 to 90 percent of food in Hawaii is imported, making food expensive in Hawaii and food security a real threat, especially if a natural disaster were to hit the islands.
What are other important industries in Hawaii? The production of primarily construction materials such as cement and steel accounts for about 2% of Hawaii’s gross domestic product.
Energy is another major industry in Hawaii, with Hawaii Electric Company or HECO having a near monopoly on Oahu. Hawaii has a variety of energy sources and continues to shift more to renewable energy sources, including geothermal, solar and wind power.
Here are the top industries in Hawaii, according to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, as of the second quarter of 2021:
Industry | Number of workplaces
Health and social care 69,900
Professional and business services 67,200
State Government 64,900
Retail trade 59 100
Catering services and drinking establishments 48,600
Natural resources, Mining, Construction 36,600
Remote work in Hawaii has the potential to add many new industries to the economy.
In fact, there have been some incentive programs to attract remote workers to Hawaii, even offering free flights and professional connections to other remote workers from Hawaii. Many Hawaii residents and government officials advocate strengthening Hawaii’s economy by adding new economic sectors, and remote workers may offer one solution to Hawaii’s troubled economy.
Remote Work in Hawaii: Top Tips Want to boost Hawaii’s economy and diversify major industries by working remotely in paradise? Before you pack up your office and head to paradise, read on for our top three tips to make the transition to remote work easier in Hawaii. Make sure you have a reliable internet and mobile phone connection. Since some people still imagine Hawaiians living in grass shacks, some people may wonder:
“What’s the Internet like in Hawaii? What about cell service? Staying connected is key to success when working remotely, so it’s important to live in a place with a reliable Internet connection. ”
Although Hawaii has several internet providers, Hawaii ranks in the middle for broadband access compared to other US states. Fiber internet is also available in Hawaii, as well as mobile hotspots. However, don’t expect every area of Hawaii to have access to the Internet or even cell phone service. Some road bends or deep in the forest or even some remote parts of Maui or the Big Island will be more difficult to connect to. Honolulu has good connectivity, so it can be a safe place to call the office when working remotely in Hawaii.
Taking into account the time difference in Hawaii, make a schedule and stick to it. The desire to relax on the beach or go hiking in the mountains can prevent you from concentrating on your computer work; however, creating a schedule along with daily goals can help you stay focused. And after a working day, the beach will be waiting for you.
Before you set up a remote work schedule in Hawaii, also consider the time difference with your home office or your clients. What is the time difference between New York and Honolulu? New York is six hours ahead. What is the time difference between California and Hawaii? California is three hours ahead. You may have to wake up earlier to make it to virtual meetings on time if you work remotely in Hawaii. On the plus side, you can finish work early – just in time to go surfing. In Hawaii, a typical workday runs from about 7:30 to 3:30, which is earlier than the typical 9 to 5 on the US mainland, so working earlier is usually normal in Hawaii.
Take breaks to improve your productivity. When working from home, it’s easier to fall into the rut of work, work, work, no breaks, since you don’t necessarily have to have colleagues nearby to join them for coffee. It is important to take regularly scheduled breaks, including lunch and getting up every hour, to get the blood flowing. Even a 10-second micro-break with stretching can help re-focus and re-energize.
Since the computer screen sometimes seems to bog down remote workers, you may want to set a timer to remind you when to take a break. Alternatively, setting a timer can motivate some people to complete a certain task by a certain time, which is important since remote work requires a lot of self-motivation. With more and more remote work options available from more employers around the world, the dream of remote work in Hawaii may become a reality for some lucky people. Remote work in Hawaii can boost the local economy and diversify industries. If working remotely suits you and you can find a reliable place to connect and create a busy schedule, Hawaii is inviting new workers to join the island lifestyle.
Restrictions have hurt Hawaii’s share of the cryptocurrency market
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Hawaii has the highest barriers in the country to companies that exchange cryptocurrency, and those restrictions could get worse if lawmakers don’t step up and open the door to this potentially thriving new business area.
Bitcoin, the world’s first “cryptocurrency”, was invented in 2009 by an unknown person or group of people under the name Satoshi Nakamoto and allowed people to store, buy and sell digital currency using special software.
Since then, thousands of other cryptocurrencies have emerged, such as Ethereum, Litecoin and Monero. Many of these cryptocurrency companies have risen significantly in value, with the entire cryptocurrency market valued at $2.2 trillion. That’s slightly more than Google ($1.9 trillion) and slightly less than Microsoft ($2.5 trillion).
In Hawaii, cryptocurrency companies are subject to the Hawaii Remittance Act, which since 2014 requires them to hold monetary assets equal to the amount of their virtual assets. For example, if a company holds $1 billion worth of cryptocurrencies, it will also need an additional $1 billion in cash as reserves.
No other state has such a specific requirement for cryptocurrency companies, so most of these companies have either left Hawaii or avoided it.
The two largest cryptocurrency exchanges, Coinbase and Binance, do not operate in Hawaii. Neither Kucoin, Strike, eToro, Bittrex, Bitstamp, Robinhood Crypto, nor PayPal’s “Cryptocurrency Hub”.
In March 2019, the Governor authorized the creation of a temporary sandbox known as the Digital Currency Innovation Lab, which allowed cryptocurrency companies to operate in the state without having to comply with the dual reserve requirement of the Remittance Act. .
Only 15 cryptocurrency companies were allowed to play in the sandbox, which has so far allowed 61,000 Hawaii customers to access virtual currency with a total transaction value of more than $611 million.
Meanwhile, since the program launched, the value of Bitcoin has increased by 370%, from $10,000 in 2019 to $47,000 by the end of 2021.
Looking ahead, legal authority for the sandbox expires on Dec. 30, 2022, meaning lawmakers who want to avoid a complete shutdown of this market must pass some kind of enabling legislation during the 2022 legislative session.
The easiest way to allow cryptocurrency companies to operate in Hawaii is to exempt them from remittance laws.
Twenty states do not require a money transmitter license for cryptocurrency transactions: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee. , Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Another quick fix would be to add cryptocurrency as an “eligible investment” to the remittance law, thereby eliminating the dual reserve requirement. For example, Wyoming exempted virtual currency from its dual reserve requirement in 2014 and has since become “the most cryptocurrency-friendly jurisdiction in the United States,” according to MarketWatch.
A more complex route would be to create a new licensing requirement for virtual currency companies, which could also bypass the double reserve requirement. This could potentially create an unnecessary administrative burden, but would nevertheless allow for a more dynamic cryptocurrency market if the rules are not too strict.
The Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions is actually introducing such a bill aimed at reducing barriers to cryptocurrency companies in Hawaii. But lawmakers should be careful not to impose too many requirements that defeat the purpose of the bill.
The goal is to ease Hawaii’s toughest virtual currency restrictions in the country and give island residents greater access to this emerging market. This would be another way to diversify our economy and help local families find new ways to make money and prosper.
General Contractors in Hawaii
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Hammers and nails. Taps and pipes. Shingles and siding. Paint and trim. Our homes are intricately designed to provide a safe place to sleep at night and create memories that will last for years to come. And at the forefront of creating homes in Hawaii are general contractors.
What can I hire a general contractor in Hawaii to do for me?
You may be wondering, “What do general contractors do?” A general contractor’s primary responsibility is to safely coordinate and manage all aspects of the construction process. For any job – large or small – Oahu general contractors can do the following:
- Price and purchase of materials
- Provide labor or hire subcontractors for actual construction
- Providing equipment such as vehicles and tools
- Apply for a building permit
- Recycle construction waste
- Control the construction budget
- Management of construction plans and stages
People hire a general contractor in Hawaii to do a number of construction jobs:
- Construction of new houses. (Read more about the cost of building a home in Hawaii here.)
- Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling
- Installing floors or drywall
- Home additions such as new master suites or porches
An Oahu general contractor is a general contractor, which means they are qualified to handle almost any home project for you. They can do the work themselves or hire subcontractors such as electricians, plumbers or roofing specialists to complete the projects.
Who can be a general contractor in Hawaii? What are the qualifications for Oahu general contractors?
The State of Hawaii regulates general contractors, and in Hawaii they are required to obtain a license by submitting a comprehensive application, passing an examination, and then paying licensing fees.
General requirements for obtaining a contractor’s license in Hawaii include the following:
- Be over 18 years of age.
- Have a good reputation for honesty, truthfulness, financial integrity and integrity, as determined by, among other things, a credit report.
- Have four years of supervisory experience within the last 10 years as evidenced by notarized certificates of experience and a list of completed projects along with the contract amount.
- Pass an exam on the appropriate classification, which includes questions on business and law, as well as on a specific trade (general engineering, construction, or other trades such as electrical, elevator, landscaping, masonry, plumbing, swimming pools, etc.).
- Be hired by a licensed contractor, meaning you must have worked in the construction industry before becoming a contractor.
After initially obtaining a Hawaii contractor’s license, these construction professionals must take steps to continue to maintain a Hawaii contractor’s license, including the following:
- Maintain ongoing liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
- Renew your license every two years on September 30th.
The state of Hawaii has fairly strict laws to become a general contractor, so people who hire a general contractor in Hawaii can rest assured that the state regulates these important builders. Additionally, the client may file a complaint against the contractor with the Hawaii Contractors Licensing Board.
Who are the best home builders near me?
Luckily, there are many quality Hawaiian home builders on the islands. Here are some of the most popular “Hawaii home builders near me” in different areas of Oahu, Hawaii:
- Pearl City. Roman Electric & Construction
- Waipahu. Wave Builders LLC
- Downtown Honolulu. Josh Design Build
- Kailua. PFC Remodeling & Construction
- Hawaii Kai. Acumen Builders
- Kaneohe. O’Donnell Construction
- Mililani. Prominent Craftsmanship Builders, LLC
What should I consider when choosing a new home builder in Hawaii?
If you are ready to remodel, update or build a completely new home. You will most likely need a contractor. But how do you choose the perfect Hawaii home builder? Here are some tips.
Tip #1. Ask family and friends.
Did your friend just finish building a new home in Hawaii? Ask them about their experience with the contractor.
- Was the work completed on time?
- Did the contractor listen to their needs and wants?
- Was the contractor licensed, bonded, insured, and received the necessary permits?
- Would they use the contractor again?
Take a look at their finished build to see the details and overall design.
Tip #2. Make a list of general contractors to call.
After interviewing family and friends and searching Hawaii general contractors online, call each of your top contractor contenders and ask these common questions before scheduling an appointment and quoting:
- Are they building houses in your area in Hawaii?
- Can they make the repairs you want?
- How will you make payments?
- Can they show you examples of previously completed work similar to yours? Do they have links?
- Do they hire subcontractors? If so, for what parts of the job and are these subcontractors licensed?
Tip #3. Meet an Oahu general contractor at your home or on your property.
After making phone calls to about five general contractors, schedule a meeting with at least three of them.
Before your meeting, give the contractor a list of your needs and wants. Link to photos of your style and desired look if you have them. If you’re building a new home in Hawaii, you may need to discuss architectural plans with a general contractor; note that you may choose to hire an architect and a general contractor separately, or the general contractor may subcontract the architect or designer.
When you meet, look around the room. Give the contractor time to answer questions and propose construction plans. Ask more questions and evaluate whether you are comfortable with the contractor.
Tip #4. Choose the best home builder in Hawaii for your project.
After meeting with at least three general contractors and receiving bids, review the bids.
- What are the deadlines?
- How do change orders work for this contractor?
- What’s included and what’s not? What about cleaning?
Hiring the right Hawaii home builder for your job requires some detective work. Be patient and be as thorough as possible. Ultimately, choosing the right general contractor for your Hawaii home building project can be the key to making your home building dreams a reality.
Hawaii Landlord Code
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Rent prices in Hawaii average around $2,000, with studios averaging around $1,400 on Oahu and one-bedroom apartments averaging around $1,900 in Honolulu. How much does rent cost in Kaneohe? A two-bedroom home averages around $2,500.
Rents in Hawaii are among the highest in the United States, so it’s no surprise that many Hawaii residents would be looking to become landlords. While others will be looking to rent a piece of paradise to enjoy all the beauty of Hawaii and aloha. Besides the business aspect, renting in Hawaii can also be an opportunity to build good relationships between landlords and tenants.
The spirit of aloha often permeates Hawaiian homes and extends beyond even the landlord-tenant relationship. Often in Hawaii, landlords and tenants become close friends, even family members, as living together is part of the Hawaiian culture.
However, there are times when the aloha spirit does not enter into a rental relationship. Therefore, if you are planning to rent in Hawaii as a tenant or landlord, it is important to know that there are certain laws that help protect both parties.
What are the rental laws in Hawaii?
The Hawaii Residential Landlord Code is the name of Chapter 521 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) , which governs rental laws in Hawaii. The Code includes information on leases, security deposits, repairs, lockouts, termination of lease/lease agreements, landlord and tenant obligations, and landlord and tenant remedies.
Tenant Rights in Hawaii
In Hawaii, there are certain items that a tenant must expect when renting real estate, which are defined in Code Sections 41 and 42 as obligations of the landlord. Here are some of the main points regarding tenants’ rights in Hawaii:
Moving
The premises must be ready for occupancy by the tenant within the agreed time frame and in the condition that was agreed upon. If the apartment is not ready for a tenant to move in, the tenant has the right to refuse to pay rent for the time during which he is unable to move in, terminate the lease, and/or recover any damages associated with finding alternative housing.
Lease agreements and rent payments
If there is a written agreement, the landlord must give a copy of it to the tenant. The tenant has the right to obtain in writing the name and address of the owner or his representative. If the owner is absent, the owner must appoint an agent residing on the same island as the tenant to act on behalf of the landlord. The tenant has the right to receive a receipt for all rent paid. The tenant has the right to terminate the lease and vacate the property during the first week of occupancy if the tenant’s conditions are not met. The tenant may terminate the contract and vacate the lease at any time if there is an immediate threat to the health or safety of the tenant.
Rental conditions and repairs
The rental must be safe and healthy, meaning there must be no insects, mold or fire hazards. All electrical, plumbing and other rental equipment must be in good condition. The tenant must have running water supplied. Please note that the landlord has the right to make repairs. The tenant must notify the landlord of any necessary repairs, and the landlord must begin those repairs within 12 business days, unless there are “causes beyond the landlord’s control” in which the landlord must notify the tenant of the reason for the delay. Appliance or plumbing repairs must begin within three days after the tenant notifies the landlord. The tenant has the right to make repairs if the landlord fails to make them, and the tenant can deduct up to $500 from the next month’s rent by providing copies of receipts to the landlord. Trash should be picked up regularly and the resident should be provided with a trash can unless they are renting a single-family home.
Entrance to rental unit
The landlord must give the tenant at least two days’ notice before entering the rental premises, and the landlord may only enter during reasonable hours. However, in the event of an emergency, the landlord may enter without prior notice. If the landlord enters without permission, the landlord is responsible for any theft or damage; In addition, the tenant has the right to terminate the lease or seek a fine of not more than $100 if the landlord continues to request entry without a valid reason.
Locks
In Hawaii, a landlord cannot evict a tenant from an apartment without cause or by court order. In this case, the tenant can terminate the lease or return the rent. In any case, if the landlord does not allow the tenant into his home, the tenant is entitled to receive up to two months’ rent – either payment or rent-free – and the cost of the lawsuit.
Voting Announcements
A tenant may post a sign or other advertisement encouraging voters to vote for or against a particular person or issue, as long as it complies with building and housing regulations.
Like tenants, landlords also have certain rights and can expect certain things from their tenants. Here are the main provisions of the Code:
Unit Maintenance The tenant and the tenant’s family and friends are responsible for keeping the premises clean, healthy and safe, which includes disposing of trash and proper use of plumbing fixtures and appliances.
If the rental property is not kept in satisfactory condition, the landlord has the right to advise the tenant in writing of a time limit after which the problem(s) must be corrected.
If the problem is not corrected as stated in writing, the landlord may terminate the lease, sue to evict the tenant, or correct the problem by billing the tenant for the costs. The tenant must notify the landlord of any necessary repairs, and the landlord has the right to make repairs to maintain the property.
Rules and Leases The landlord has the right to give the tenant rules when entering into a lease, which must be clear enough to be understood. These rules can protect a landlord’s property from misuse (i.e., locking the gate) and promote equality of services and amenities among all tenants (i.e., using the washer and dryer only at certain times).
The landlord has the right to terminate the lease if the tenant uses the property for something other than his home, unless that other use is specified in the lease. If the tenant decides that he does not want to move in after signing the lease, the landlord has the right to withhold any money deposited with the landlord, one month’s rent, and the amount of the daily rent for the period to re-rent the apartment plus a commission. If the tenant abandons the tenancy without proper notice, the landlord has the right to collect rent for the remainder of the term and charge daily rent for the period of re-renting the premises plus a commission.
Security Deposit and Rent Receipt In Hawaii, a landlord may receive a security deposit equal to one month’s rent; however, it must be returned to the tenant 14 days after the lease is terminated, unless there is a legal basis for retaining the deposit, such as repairs with receipts. A landlord in Hawaii has the right to receive the agreed upon rent on time.
A landlord can terminate a tenancy five days after not receiving rent if he gives notice on the first day it was due. The landlord has the right to increase the rent four months or more before the due date of the rent increase if there is an increase in taxes or operating costs, major renovations to the unit, or a rent increase comparable to other units in the area.
Enter the apartment/house
If the tenant is absent for a continuous period of more than 20 days, the tenant must inform the landlord. If the tenant fails to notify the landlord of his absence and fails to pay rent, the landlord has the right to terminate the lease. The landlord may also enter the apartment during an extended absence for security, inspection, maintenance and showings.
With at least two days’ notice, the landlord has the right to enter the tenancy for inspection, repair or demonstration to potential buyers or tenants. In emergency cases such as fire, weather damage, abandonment or long absence, the landlord may enter without two days notice. If the tenant does not allow the landlord to enter, the landlord has the right to hold the tenant liable for any damages incurred by his refusal.
What should I do if I have a problem with my landlord?
The above are some of the main points of the Hawaii Landlord Landlord Code. However, if you have additional questions or need assistance, call the Hawaii Landlord Tenant Hotline at 808-586-2634.
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs staff operates the Landlord/Tenant Information Center from 8:00 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays. They can help clarify any information contained in the Hawaii Landlord/Tenant Code.
If your tenant or landlord is not complying with your rental rights in Hawaii, the following steps can be taken to resolve any problems: Once you know your rights, discuss the problem directly with your landlord, property manager, or tenant.
Give people the benefit of the doubt and try to resolve problems through friendly communication before resorting to more extreme measures.
Take good notes and try to get things in writing if possible in case you can’t resolve the issue through open communication.
If informal discussions lead to any resolution, you may choose to participate in mediation or another form of dispute resolution with an outside party. This can help save time and money before going to court. In fact, the judge will often refer landlord/tenant issues to a mediator before trying them in court.
If direct conversations and mediation don’t work, you may have to take legal action. Disputes regarding security deposits will be brought to small claims court. Landlords can file lawsuits against tenants in district court.
If you go to court, provide as much hard evidence as possible: contracts, canceled checks, receipts, photographs and/or written correspondence. While everyone hopes for an ideal landlord-tenant relationship filled with aloha and a peaceful life, it is also encouraging to know that there are certain rights for tenants and landlords in Hawaii that can help establish a basic understanding should any conflicts arise. For more information, contact the Hawaii Landlord Hotline or an attorney.
Featured Airbnb in Hawaii: What’s Legal and What’s Not?
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As an Airbnb host, you have the opportunity to welcome guests from all over the world, share the aloha spirit, and earn extra income.
But are short-term rentals, also known as AirBnb or VRBO, allowed in Hawaii? Airbnb’s operation on our islands is subject to several regulations, many of which currently make it difficult for Airbnb to host legally. While this information is not comprehensive or legal advice, and is current only at the time of writing, below are some legal considerations to consider when you’re thinking about becoming an Airbnb host.
Zoning laws dictate whether a property can legally be used as a short-term rental and vary on each island.
Oahu: Are short term rentals allowed in Honolulu? Can you rent an AirBnb on Oahu? House Bill 89, also known as Proposition 19-18 , signed by Mayor Kirk Caldwell on June 25, 2019, will place a cap on the number of bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodations on the island. Specifically, no more than 0.5% of the total number of residential units in each community in the State of Oahu may be used as bed and breakfasts. These are 1,699 B&B rentals on Oahu; 183 B&B with legal permits at Koolau Poko (Kailua, Waimanalo, Kaneohe).
(Oahu short term rental permit limits vary by area)
No more than 0.5% of the total number of residential units in each Regional Development Plan Area (DPA) may be used as B&Bs.
The new laws also stipulate that new B&B owners can rent out two bedrooms to guests, and the owner of the property must legally live with the guests.
Other important changes:
- Ordinance 19-18 would allow approximately 1,700 bed and breakfast permits to be issued. Although the online lottery system for a legal B&B permit on Oahu is expected to begin in October 2020, it has not yet begun due to the passage of Ordinance 20-30, which modified Ordinance 19 -18. and was signed by Mayor Kirk Caldwell on September 17, 2020. Therefore, the adoption of administrative rules and the start of registration of new bed and breakfasts have been delayed while the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) reviews the registration process.
- Illegal B&Bs will be subject to hefty fines (think $1,000 to $10,000 a day!). As of June 4, 2021, the City and County of Honolulu had received 2,133 short-term rental complaints and issued 568 notices of violation (NOV).
- Specifically, for North Shore bed and breakfasts, with the exception of Kuilima, no new permits will be issued in the area under the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan. However, for now, legal bed and breakfasts on the North Shore can accommodate guests until Oct. 1, when the city will begin issuing these new licenses.
- Kuilima Estates East and West , next to Turtle Bay Resort and Golf Course, now allows bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals. The decision was made on February 10, 2020 by the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) because Kuilima Estates East & West is within 3,500 feet of a resort area of over 50 contiguous acres. See the map below for the permitted zone.
Maui: Can I rent an AirBnb on Maui? As of July 2019, there are over 16,000 apartments that are legally allowed to rent out homes for short-term rentals (less than six months) without the need for a bed and breakfast or conditional permit. These are typically found in hotel zones, but homes not included in the pre-existing criteria may be legally allowed to operate; as of November 2018, 353 vacation rentals had permission to operate outside the hotel zone.
As of June 2021, the Maui Meadows region of the Kihei-Makena Community Plan and the Paia Haiku Community Plan region have reached their permit limit for short-term home rentals, or AirBnbs.
In Maui County, homes with a short-term rental permit can be rented without the owner present. To apply for a short-term home rental, you must complete an application through the Maui County Planning Department , which must also include a zoning and flood verification form. The planning department processes these applications and usually takes several months.
(Maui short term rental permit limits vary by area)
Kauai: Are short term rentals allowed on Kauai? Airbnbs are legal in certain tourist areas (VDAs) or areas zoned for hotels. There are between 3,000 and 4,000 vacation homes in these areas, and Kauai no longer allows short-term rentals outside of these designated areas. If the vacation rental received a certificate of non-conforming use before March 2008, then the rental was transferred.
In short, any short-term rental for less than 180 days of a room in a house or an entire house or apartment is not permitted. Additionally, there is no application to apply for an AirBnb on Kauai unless you own a property in a Visitor Destination Area (VDA). The County of Kauai and its Planning Department regulate short-term rentals on the island of Kauai .
(Kauai short term rental permit restrictions based on visitor destination zone – VDA in red)
Big Island: Under House Bill 108, short-term vacation rentals on the Big Island or Hawaii County are now defined as a residence with no more than five bedrooms, rented for 30 consecutive days or less, in which the owner does not reside. on the spot. New short-term vacation rentals are not permitted in single-family residential or agricultural zones and are only permitted in hotel, resort, commercial and multi-family commercial zones.
House Bill 108, also known as Ordinance 2018-114, also made it possible for existing short-term vacation rental properties to apply for a Certificate of Nonconforming Use so they could continue to operate in a generally unpermitted area. The County of Hawaii Planning Department is tasked with administering and overseeing AirBnbs on the Big Island.
COVID-19 has added additional restrictions for Hawaii Airbnb, especially on the island of Oahu.
The question of whether Airbnb is legal in Hawaii has persisted throughout the coronavirus pandemic and adds further restrictions for many Hawaii vacation rental owners and travelers who want to experience paradise outside of a hotel.
Hawaii’s Airbnb laws have become more complex on Oahu and other islands during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mayors of Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai restricted vacation rentals in March 2020, but on June 16, 2020, they allowed legal Airbnbs to operate again. Legal short-term holiday homes can now operate; however, Hawaii State’s travel restrictions and other COVID-19 related mandates remain in effect, and Governor Ige has stated that these rules will remain in place until Hawaii’s vaccination rate reaches 70 percent.
Airbnb listings – legal or illegal – must comply with Hawaii tax laws.
(1) Certificate of registration. Airbnb hosts must obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Hawaii Department of Taxation as required by Hawaii State law . Upon successful receipt of a Certificate of Registration, Airbnb hosts must post the TIN on their online listing.
(2) Temporary Occupancy Tax: After registering and receiving a tax identification number, Airbnb hosts are ready to pay taxes to the government! The temporary residence tax applies to stays of less than 180 days. From January 1, 2018, the tax on temporary housing is 10.25 percent.
(3) General Excise Tax: Hawaii has no sales tax; instead we have a General Excise Tax (GET) , which is levied on all business activity, including short-term lettings. The current GET is 4.712 percent on Oahu.
(4) Property Tax: Property taxes in Hawaii vary by county.
Effective July 1, 2021, the City and County of Honolulu, which covers the island of Oahu, has a new property tax class: Bed and Breakfast (Class J). A legal Hawaii Airbnb on Oahu will likely fall into this class, and the tax is 0.65% of the assessed value. Read more about property taxes in Honolulu here . In short, a bed and breakfast is defined as a rental of less than 30 days where the homeowner or other operator is present during the stay, which is ultimately the definition of Airbnb in Hawaii. A typical B&B would be when someone rents out a room in their own home where they live. Short-term vacation rentals (TVR) are defined as “unhosted” or “whole house” rentals of less than 30 days when the owner or operator is away; TVRs are taxed in the hotel and resort class at a rate of 1.39%.
Property tax rates in Maui County, which includes the island of Molokai, are $11.08 per $1,000 of net assessed value for “short-term rentals” such as Airbnb, and $10.70 per $1,000 of net assessed value for zoned properties.” hotel and resort. as of July 1, 2020.
In Kauai County, the 2021 property tax rates for short-term occupancy are $9.85 per $1,000 of net assessed value for “vacation rental” properties and $10.85 for “hotels and resorts” zoned properties.
There are no taxes on residential rentals or short-term rentals in Hawaii County or the Big Island. The tax rates that may apply to Airbnb in Hawaii County are the hotel/resort property tax, which is $6.15 per taxable building valued at $1,000 from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
Building laws and neighborhood regulations add additional rules to Airbnb listings.
Building and Housing Standards: The Oahu Building Code and Residential Code define minimum construction, maintenance, and health and safety requirements. Codes vary between residential and non-residential properties and by island, so refer to the codes for more information.
Other rules. There may be other contracts or rules that govern your potential Airbnb listing, such as lease agreements, HOA rules, or co-op or condominium rules. Read your lease agreements or contact the appropriate parties if applicable.
Complying with laws and regulations is no easy task.
The Appleseed Hawaii Center for Law and Economic Justice estimates that there are 23,000 vacation rentals in Hawaii , many of which are illegal.
Inspectors on each island try to enforce zoning laws. But with thousands of Airbnb listings and fewer than twenty zoning inspectors in each county, enforcement is problematic. Online advertising does not provide sufficient evidence that the Airbnb listing is illegal. Inspectors must obtain information such as the visitor’s name, length of stay, and compensation documents. Once the inspector has enough evidence and issues a violation notice, the Airbnb host has 30 days to make corrections or face a fine.
It’s also difficult for states to determine whether Airbnb hosts pay state taxes. Due to privacy laws, the state Department of Taxation is currently seeking a subpoena to collect host information from Airbnb.
Finally, on December 23, 2019, the City and County of Honolulu published an online form asking the public to report any suspected illegal Airbnb rentals. So far there have been many reports of inspectors following up on leads.
While there are several controversial and potentially changing rules governing Airbnb listings, the benefits of being an Airbnb host may outweigh the bureaucratic burden. For more information, consult an attorney, accountant, Planning and Permitting Department, Taxation Department , or other county or state agency.
Pitfalls when buying real estate in Hawaii
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The endless blue ocean, towering green mountains, endless colorful rainbows, the aloha spirit: living in Hawaii is truly paradise. While beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and an attractive culture may entice you to buy real estate in Hawaii, not everything in paradise is perfect.
Homeowners in Hawaii often face a number of disadvantages when purchasing real estate in Hawaii.
Before you buy a home in Hawaii, here are some of the top pitfalls of home ownership, according to our homeowner surveys.
Homes are smaller than those on the US mainland and tend to be much more expensive per square foot.
Can you imagine living in a 2,000 square foot single family home with large rooms and closets on an average sized lot of say 7,500 square feet? Although this is a typical home in many suburban areas of the mainland US, in Hawaii such a home would be expensive.
The median price of a single-family home on Oahu reached $950,000 in March 2021, and the median sales price was $1,226,827, according to the Honolulu Board of Real Estate. Prices per square foot are over $600 for single-family homes in most areas of Oahu, including Mililani, Kapolei, Ewa Beach, Kaneohe and Kailua. In areas like Kailua and Hawaii Kai, prices can be even higher.
Also, keep in mind that even in Hawaii there aren’t many huge homes for sale. Land in Hawaii is limited, so there aren’t many options for building or purchasing larger homes. Most single-family homes have two to four bedrooms, with modest room and lot sizes. However, Hawaii also has many beautiful mansions that are reasonably priced (over $1 million).
The real estate market is tough and there are few options.
The Hawaii real estate market is hot! From January to March 2021, 50% of single-family homes sold were over asking price. For condominiums, 29% are selling above list price. In March 2021, single-family homes spent an average of just nine days on the market.
The demand for housing in Hawaii is enormous. Shannon Haven, president of the Honolulu Real Estate Council, said, “Despite new listings, demand continues to outpace our limited housing inventory. The lack of inventory creates a very active and competitive market for potential Oahu home buyers.”
If you are even thinking about purchasing real estate in Hawaii, keep in mind that you will likely need to make a competitive offer, and delays in making a decision may cause you to miss out on the opportunity to purchase real estate in Hawaii. If you see your home in Hawaii, talk to your real estate agent so they can get you the best deal right away. Then cross your fingers, as the seller will likely have several offers to choose from.
The cost of living in Hawaii is high compared to most other places in the US.
Once you move into your Hawaii home, you can live in paradise—for a price. According to Expatistan for 2021, Honolulu is the 7th most expensive city in the United States and the 8th most expensive city in North America. Honolulu is also the 21st most expensive city in the world! Some studies show that you’ll need a whopping salary of over $122,000 to live comfortably in Hawaii.
Generally, everything is more expensive in Hawaii than on the US mainland. Gasoline costs over $3 a gallon. A gallon of milk costs about $9 at Safeway, one of the main grocery stores on Oahu. A loaf of sandwich bread will cost you about $5 on Oahu, and avocados, which are found in abundance on some trees in Hawaii, will cost you about $2 per avocado at Costco.
The cost of living in Hawaii in 2021 often comes as a shock to newcomers to the Hawaiian Islands. Learn more about the cost of living in Hawaii, including ways to cut costs and how the cost of living compares in Honolulu and other places like California and New York.
Construction is often expensive, and homeowners in Hawaii should expect construction delays.
Labor and building materials shipped across the ocean also cost more in Hawaii. Looking to update your kitchen? Expect to pay much more than on the US mainland. How much does it cost to build a house in Hawaii? Learn more from our Oahu construction experts here.
Once you’ve saved up to renovate, renovate, or even build your dream home, understand that construction delays are common in Hawaii. The number of contractors and builders is limited, and when you find the contractor you want in Hawaii, know that unexpected delays may occur. Delays may be caused by uncontrollable shipping difficulties as building materials are often shipped in shipping containers to the Hawaiian Islands; only a certain number of shipping containers are delivered to Hawaii on large barges each day, and when they reach the docks, only a certain number of containers are unloaded each day.
Other construction delays include Hawaii’s lengthy building permitting process. The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) is notorious for taking some time to approve building permits. Other delays may be due to inclement weather such as heavy rain or hurricanes. Another delay could be due to unavailability of workers or even due to workers being stuck in terrible traffic. In short, construction in Hawaii is not always efficient or cost-effective, so it can become a nasty pitfall for Hawaii homeowners.
Utilities are expensive and not always reliable.
How much does electricity cost in Hawaii? Electricity costs on Oahu range from $0.49 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to $0.62 per kWh, depending on the time of day. This rate has been increasing regularly and is higher than many places on the US mainland. The benefit of homeownership in Hawaii is that solar energy can be an option for many homeowners, offering much lower energy bills.
Additionally, Hawaii’s electricity is operated by only a few companies. Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) is the electricity provider on the island of Oahu. Since there is only one company, homeowners have only one company to rely on during emergencies. Power lines on Oahu are above ground in many areas, and the rich soils cause foliage to grow quickly, making it easy for wind and tall trees to knock down power lines. When will the power come back on? This depends on how quickly HECO can respond. Due to weather conditions and electrical infrastructure in some areas, Hawaii homeowners should expect to live without power for several hours each year.
While the Hawaiian Islands have Internet access in most places (except very rural areas on the Big Island, Maui, or Kauai), Hawaii has a limited number of Internet providers. On Oahu, most homeowners will choose Hawaiian Telcom or Spectrum, but which is better? Both offer fiber optic options, but both are known to stop working from time to time—another pitfall of buying real estate in Hawaii.
Salt water damage or mold from moisture creates the need for seemingly constant maintenance.
While Hawaii’s blue seas are beautiful, the salty and humid air can cause some damage to property.
Any metal will rust quickly, like the galvanized nails holding your siding together or the beautiful metal door leading into your home. Stainless steel materials are recommended for a more durable design, but they will also rust over time.
Humid air can cause wood to swell or rot. While painting or staining the wood can help keep the wood looking longer, it always seems that no matter how hard Hawaii property owners try, air leaks into the wood. This can cause difficulty opening wooden gates or even damage walls and exterior awnings.
Some contractors specialize in building homes that can withstand Hawaiian air. However, most homes in Hawaii were not originally built with these measures in mind. Learn more about Lex Allen’s recommendations for building Hawaii homes that can withstand Hawaii’s humid and salty air; Lex is the owner of Solid Build Construction, Inc. , based in Kapolei.
Weeds can easily take over garden beds, and creepy bugs can invade homes.
Hawaii has rich soil that makes it easy to grow a variety of foods, from herbs like basil and mint to fruit trees like avocado and papaya, from vegetables like lettuce and cucumbers to Hawaiian staples like taro. However, this rich soil also allows weeds and invasive species to grow easily.
Here are some of the major weeds and invasive species that can easily take over Hawaiian gardens within months if the right precautions (such as mulching and constant maintenance) are not taken:
- Knapweep
- Wild garlic
- West Indian foxtail
- Barbed wire grass
- Canada thistle
- pepper
- Lyon grass Witch
- Much more
In addition to weeds that can easily take over manicured lawns or well-educated flower beds, there are also several insects in Hawaii that can wreak havoc on property. Termites are a top predator for Hawaii homeowners.
Terrestrial termites have been known to eat away at support beams and walls and cause entire homes to collapse. The good news is that Hawaii homes are inspected for termites at escrow, and almost all wood used for construction is termite treated.
Some other scary insects that homeowners in Hawaii will have to deal with include centipedes, flying cockroaches, ants, flies and cane spiders. Not to mention, Hawaii also has mice and rats that are known to visit homeowners. Regular termite fumigation and insect and pest control are preventive measures recommended for homeowners in Hawaii.
Natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, or even volcanic eruptions pose a real threat to life in Hawaii.
Are there active volcanoes in Hawaii? Yes, on the Big Island. In 2018, the Kīlauea eruption destroyed more than 700 homes. Mount Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and residents of the Big Island experience its effects firsthand. Kauai, Oahu and Maui have no active volcanoes; however, sometimes volcanic air, or vog, reaches all of the islands, depending on the air flow and activity of Kilauea.
Are there floods in Hawaii? Yes, properties flood almost every year on all of the Hawaiian Islands, including Oahu.
In 2021, about 100 properties in Haleiwa and Hau’ula on Oahu’s North Shore suffered major damage due to river flooding due to excessive rainfall.
Ocean tides and large waves will also cause flooding of Hawaiian homes on all islands.
When purchasing property in Hawaii, it is important to ask about the previous flood history and flood zone designation for the property.
Related news:
May 2022 Why did the Hawaii Legislature amend the Real Estate Seller Disclosure Act?
The agent representing you in the transaction should be able to help you complete this section (if you are a seller) or direct you to resources for interpreting the disclosure (if you are a buyer).
You may be interested in this topic: #Real Estate in Hawaii
Taxes on rental income in Oahu, Hawaii: GET, TAT and OT
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If you own rental property in Hawaii, you are required to pay certain taxes. These taxes vary depending on which island you have your property on. This article is an overview of the taxes you must pay if you own rental property on Oahu. Please note that the taxes you pay will vary depending on whether the property is a long term or short term rental. Additionally, if you use a full-service property management company, the company may collect and pay these taxes on your behalf.
General excise tax (GET): 4.5%
Instead of a sales tax, Hawaii has a GET, which is assessed on all business activity. For rental properties on Oahu, the GET is currently 4.5% and must be paid on gross rental income and can be passed on to the tenant. It is important that you pay this tax according to the required filing frequency. Depending on your tax liability, taxes will be paid monthly, quarterly or semi-annually. You must file (Form G-45) and pay your taxes no later than the 20th day of the month following the close of the filing period. You must also file an annual return (Form G-49). This must be done on the 20th day of the fourth month following the close of the previous tax year. For most people, Form G-49 must be filed no later than April 20 of the following year.
Temporary residence tax (TAT): 10.25%
If the property is used as ‘temporary’ accommodation (short term rental) you will need to pay VAT. The State of Hawaii defines “temporary” placement as:
“Temporary housing is a room, apartment, house, condominium, beach house, hotel room, suite or similar dwelling unit rented to a temporary person for less than 180 consecutive days.”
The TAT is levied on gross rentals or gross rental proceeds, which are any amounts received by the operator in cash, goods or services for the rental of temporary housing without any deduction for expenses. If you charge guests a cleaning fee, that fee is considered revenue and must be included in your TAT calculations. TAT must be paid within the same time frame as your GET payments.
Is income ever exempt from value added tax?
There are situations where you are not required to pay TAT taxes in Hawaii. If your guests meet the following requirements, you may be exempt from TAT:
- Low-income tenants who receive rent from the state or federal government and whose rental periods are less than 60 days.
- Housing facilities for military personnel permanently stationed in Hawaii, including military personnel who are receiving temporary housing benefits while seeking housing in Hawaii or awaiting transfer outside of Hawaii.
- Housing is provided by non-profit corporations or associations organized for religious, charitable or educational purposes.
- Housing provided to foreign diplomats and consular officers holding cards issued or authorized by the United States Department of State granting them an exemption from government taxes.
Oahu Temporary Occupancy Tax (OTAT): 3%
The Oahu Transient Occupancy Tax (OTAT) is currently 3%. OTAT is imposed in addition to TAT. Taxpayers registered in the state and having a valid state TAT number will be considered registered for OTAT. Taxpayers subject to OTAT do not need to register separately with the city.
Important miscellaneous information:
- Operators must display a TAT registration certificate in each rented room, apartment or other temporary accommodation. Instead of publishing the certificate, you can post a notice informing the guest or tenant where the certificate can be verified.
- An out-of-state operator requires that there be a local person or entity on the island who can assist the tenant if necessary. You must include the name, telephone number and email address of your local contact person in the same location where your certificate of registration or notice is posted.
- There is no statute of limitations for GET or TAT. Therefore, it is very important that you make the appropriate payments on time.
This information is provided simply as an overview of the taxes applicable to owning investment property on Oahu. Please note that this information is subject to change and I am not a tax advisor. It is highly recommended that you consult with a qualified tax professional prior to purchasing investment property in Hawaii to obtain the most current tax information and how it may apply to you.
Looking for investment properties in Hawaii? Just call us at +1(808)666-9936 or click here. fill the form. We are here to serve you and look forward to helping you achieve your real estate goals.
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New restrictions on short-term rentals and parking in Honolulu
#Airbnb in Hawaii, #Honolulu #Kauai, #Maui, #Molokai, #Niihau, #Oahu #RealEstate
A city proposal aimed at restricting short-term rentals on Oahu cleared another hurdle at a Honolulu City Council committee meeting on March 23, 2022.
The latest version of Bill 41 prohibits short-term rental bookings of less than 90 days (down from the current 30 days) in most areas of the island.
New restrictions, fees and fines will also be introduced. The Zoning Board Chairman’s Committee’s draft has passed its third reading in the Zoning Committee and now heads to the full board for a final vote.
Under the bill, reservations for rentals of less than 90 days would be allowed only on Oahu in resort areas, as well as in certain residential areas of the Waikiki mauka of Kuhio, in areas near the Ko Olina Resort, and in the single-unit area near Turtle Bay Resort and the North Shore.
The bill would prohibit unregistered landlords from advertising nightly rates, require non-conforming rental units in residential areas to limit visitors to four adults, and require an off-street parking space for each rental room.
The bill has received support from the hotel industry and residents who want to keep vacationers out of residential areas. But it has also drawn sharp criticism from short-term rental landlords, who argue that a law passed in 2019 that would have allowed the licensing of 1,700 new short-term rental units was fairer.
The new law will not correct the existing regulation
Mainland tourists don’t care that island locals have to deal with a housing crisis and homelessness .
Critics of the bill also expressed concern that the 90-day reservation period would unnecessarily burden residents traveling between islands, college students, traveling health care workers and others who do not want to stay in hotels. Exceptions for these groups have been addressed but are not included in the current version.
The initial version of the bill introduced by Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration drew strong reactions. As written, it required reservations of at least 180 days and required landlords of short-term rentals in condo-hotel buildings to hire a hotel management company.
The administration’s original proposal also allowed short-term rentals in residential areas of the Gold Coast near Diamond Head; requires rental operators to notify property owners within 250 feet that the dwelling is being used for rental purposes; and obtain additional insurance coverage.
The bill would impose an initial registration fee of $1,000 and a renewal fee of $500 for short-term rentals.
Under the new law, landlords will already pay higher taxes on temporary housing, higher property taxes and could face increased fines. The purpose of the levy should be to cover the cost of public services provided.
The new law also proposed to prohibit tourists in rented cars from parking on public streets in the city. Now any property owner can complain about the occupied parking lot near their home.
All of her amendments were adopted into the out-of-committee version of the bill.
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Hawaii becomes the first US state to ban shark fishing
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Hawaii banned the intentional capture or killing of sharks in public waters effective Jan. 1, 2022, to protect marine ecosystems. The online publication PlantBasedNews reported this on February 11, citing data from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
“We are well aware of how important sharks are to maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. We also recognize their importance in the cultural practices and beliefs of Native Hawaiians,” said DLNR Division of Water Resources Chief Brian Neilson.
The law applies to all 40 species of sharks that live in the oceans surrounding the Hawaiian Islands.
Shark populations are vital to ocean health. Sharks are apex predators, meaning they play a key role in supporting species below them on the food chain.
“They help eliminate the weak and sick, and maintain balance with competitors, helping to ensure species diversity.
As predators, they change the spatial habitat of their prey, which changes the feeding strategy and diet of other species. Through spatial control and abundance, sharks indirectly support seagrass and coral reef habitats,” explained ocean conservation organization Oceana.
The new law contains some caveats. For example, catching sharks for “public safety” is permitted if the DLNR grants permission to do so. Additionally, killing a shark in self-defense or defense of another person is also legal. Persons holding “special operating permits” issued by the DLNR are also exempt from this regulation.
Violation of the law will be punishable by “significant fines.” $500 for the first crime, $2 thousand for the second and $10 thousand for subsequent crimes.
Incredible emotions and adrenaline alone with the Sharks on Oahu
Hawaii Investor’s Guide
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Investing in real estate can be like playing Monopoly: buy real estate; avoid bankruptcy; receive rental income; buy more real estate; protection against inflation; and see cash flow. Real estate is an excellent investment for a variety of reasons, and Hawaii real estate has historically been an excellent choice for a portfolio.
Why should anyone invest in real estate in Hawaii?
Here are some reasons.
You earn more money
When purchasing real estate, you typically only have to put down a percentage of the amount, allowing you to make more money with less debt, also known as leverage (loan from the bank).
For example, if you purchase $500,000 worth of shares, you will pay $500,000. However, to buy a Waikiki condo for $500,000, you may only need to pay $100,000 (20% downpayment). If prices increase by 5%, the price increase of $500,000 would be $25,000.
The Waikiki apartment cost you $100,000 to earn $25,000, but the stock cost you $500,000 to earn $25,000; it is the leverage that real estate investing provides.
Depending on your lender’s requirements, your financial situation and assets, a different amount of interest advance will be required. However, even with multimillion-dollar properties, investors usually don’t have to pay the entire price.
Real estate resists inflation.
Over time, prices tend to rise, and you won’t be able to buy as much for a dollar as you used to. Do you remember enjoying snacks for a few cents in Honolulu stores? Ask an old Hawaiian about the stores and prices many years ago and you won’t remember.
Because properties are purchased at a specific price and monthly mortgage payments are typically fixed, the price you pay for your real estate investment will not rise over time to counteract inflation. However, the rent (Rent) you charge may increase with inflation, increasing your overall income.
Homes in Hawaii have always had long-term value.
Appreciation or capital gain is the increase in the value of a property over time. While the Hawaii real estate market has its ups and downs, historically it has always been on a steady upswing and the downturns are not as steep as those on the US mainland. Since 1972, long-term average annual growth has hovered around 6 percent for a single-family home and 5.4 percent for a condominium.
Average home sales prices in Hawaii have continued to rise in recent years.
In June 2019, the median sales price for a single-family home was $800,000, and in May 2021 it was $978,000. For condominiums, the average sales price was $432,500 in June 2019 and $457,750 in May 2021. Hawaii Real Estate Price Statistics .
In Hawaii, the sales price graph always seems to find a new peak.
You can invest in a fixed top and make a profit.
While flipping a home in Hawaii is a risk that can be very profitable, another idea is to buy a home as an owner. Lower interest rates are available for owner-occupiers, and you can make cost-effective home equity improvements without rushing to resale deadlines.
Once the renovation is complete, your property will likely increase in value, giving you the opportunity to invest more in the future, such as renting or buying another property.
You can have cash flow from rental income.
Cash flow is the income generated from rent after paying expenses such as taxes, insurance, utilities and depreciation. This money is like an extra salary each month and can increase as rents rise with the market. Rents typically increase in Hawaii, so your monthly cash flow may increase over time.
As of July 2021, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Honolulu is around $2,000. If you close the deal and buy a one-bedroom apartment for $250,000 cash, with utilities and maintenance of $1,100 per month, you will receive cash flow of $900 per month. If you had a mortgage after the 20% reduction at closing, your mortgage could be around €900 dollars, and with maintenance and utilities you would break even, while also getting your apartment appraised and hoping for an increase in the average rent.
Because mortgage payments are high in Hawaii, it is not uncommon for homeowners to rent rooms to cover the mortgage. While living with a roommate may not be for everyone, it can help a homeowner build equity and save money for other investments.
You can take tax deductions every year.
The benefits of real estate tax season are numerous: mortgage interest deductions, cash flow from investment properties, operating expenses, property taxes, insurance and depreciation (even as the property gains value, etc.). accountant about the tax benefits of your Hawaii real estate investments.
When selling real estate, you can use a 1031 exchange to defer capital gains taxes.
A 1031 exchange from the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) is another great tax benefit that allows investors to sell real estate and buy other similar real estate—fully tax-deferred. For example, a family home purchased in 1940 for $40,000 may be worth $1,000,000 today. If you were to simply sell the family home, you would have to pay capital gains tax (about 20 percent) on the $960,000 (less improvements).
With Code 1031, you can take the money you receive from the sale and invest it in another property on a tax-deferred basis. Investing capital gains from this family home allows for portfolio diversification, potential rental income and appreciation, as well as huge tax savings.
Your real estate portfolio can generate stable income and contribute to a comfortable retirement.
Have you built up your real estate portfolio over the years? Are you getting a stable rental income after your mortgage and other expenses? You may have already paid off your mortgage. Property investments and rental income can provide a stable and reliable source of income that will help for many years and into retirement.
If you plan and buy correctly, real estate investments in Hawaii are generally safe and profitable. And if you or someone else lives in the property, it can also provide years of happiness and memories.
Gangs in Hawaii
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Most areas and islands of Hawaii have very low crime rates. Residents of Hawaii can usually rest easy at night knowing that the aloha spirit and family-oriented culture of the islands create a safe place to live. Hawaii had about 250 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2017, far below the national rate of 394 violent crimes per 100,000 people, according to the FBI.
The first gang activity in Hawaii to be reported by the media occurred in 1986, when a teenage gang member was killed on the island of Oahu, sparking statewide awareness of gangs. Throughout the 1990s, local news reported fewer than 50 annual reports of gang activity, with the exception of 1996, when there were 125 reports. The Honolulu Police Department has actively combated this gang activity with the assistance of the Hawaii Youth Gang Response System, created by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1990. Thanks to prevention and intervention efforts, there were no reports of gang activity from 2001 to 2004. in press.
Historically, Hawaiian gangs have not been as dangerous as gangs in other parts of the world. They are usually involved in graffiti, theft and drug crimes; murder or gun violence is rare in Hawaii.
Today, the island of Oahu has seen a slight uptick in gang activity over the last couple of years. There are currently several streets and neighborhoods associated with gangs in places like Aliamanu, Halawa, Waianae, Waipahu and Kalihi. In July 2019, Adult Friends for Youth director Deb Spencer-Chun said 14 gangs had been identified at Farrington High School in Kalihi.
The gangs’ main homes are in low-income housing complexes. Some are grouped with members of the same race, such as Filipinos, Hispanics, Micronesians, Native Hawaiians, Samoans, Vietnamese, and Tongans. While gathering data on gangs is difficult because many operate incognito, there is some information available about current gangs on Oahu.
Halawa View Apartments or Halawa Housing Projects is a low-income housing development subsidized by the Federal Government’s Division of Housing and Urban Development. Halawa is an area next to Aiea and close to Aloha Stadium. Halawa is also home to one of Oahu’s main prisons. One gang found in the Halawa housing projects is the 99 Street Halawa Mob Crips.
Kalihi has a 555-unit low-income housing complex, Kuhio Park Terrace , which consists of two recently redeveloped towers. Next door to Kuhio Park Terrace is Kuhio Homes , a two-story low-income housing project. In these large low-income housing complexes you can find the KPT or Parccyde Sons of Samoa Crips gangs.
In Kalihi Valley, just off the Likelike Highway, you’ll find the newly renovated Kam IV Apartments , or Kamehameha Homes, which is public housing operated by the State of Hawaii. This microdistrict is home to the Kam4 gang.
Mayor Wright Homes , also located in Kalihi but away from the valley and near Honolulu Community College, is another large low-income housing complex with 363 apartments. It was built with federal funds and is currently operated by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. The gang discovered at Mayor Wright’s house is called MDubbz.
There are several streets in Waipahu that are known to have small gangs. There is Avudzi on Aniani. Pupuole has PuTown and Awanei has AWZ.
These gangs in Hawaii typically formed due to the islands’ diverse cultures and economic struggles. Some Oahu gangs are offshoots of larger gangs from the mainland, while others are unique to certain areas or apartment complexes, mainly in Honolulu or Waipahu. Despite the presence of some gangs on Oahu, Hawaii as a whole has seen a decline in juvenile arrests and gang activity since its peak in the mid-1990s.
Hawaii Home Buyer’s Guide
#Honolulu, #Kauai, #Maui, #Molokai, #Oahu #RealEstate #Rentals, #Businesses, #Hawaii,
Getting Started with Buying a Home in Hawaii
Do you have any suspicions that you might be ready to buy a home? Are you thinking about securing your spot in Hawaiian paradise?
Before you rush into one of the biggest transactions you’ll ever make, take the time to think about home ownership. Buying a home can offer financial responsibility, stability and equity, and thinking through some aspects of owning a home in Hawaii before purchasing can ensure a happy home. Read more to learn how to buy a home in Hawaii.
What do the neighborhoods in Hawaii look like? How long will you live in Hawaii?
While we can’t predict the future , it’s ideal to stay in your first home for three to five years before moving again. These years in your new location help pay off your mortgage and build equity so you can move to your new location.
If you know you’ll want to move to a different area or island within the next year, it may be better to wait and save more money for a larger down payment. Then you could buy your dream home in your desired area.
If you unexpectedly move out of the area, you can always rent your home, but being a landlord has a completely different set of considerations.
Homeowners in Hawaii may need renovations. Before you buy a home in Hawaii, ask yourself, “Is there anything I can fix?”
Being a homeowner means being responsible for home repairs and upgrades. You have two options:
- Fix your home yourself.
- Pay money to hire someone.
If you’re a DIYer and have some home renovation experience, you can save on labor costs, but you should also consider material costs. A new refrigerator is not cheap. Renovations are part of home ownership, and considering them from a financial and psychological perspective before purchasing a home will help get you started on the right track.
Homeownership in Hawaii requires a stable job.
Are you happy with your job now? Are you satisfied with your current career or are you planning to change your path in the near future? Changing jobs while paying off a hefty mortgage can be challenging, so having a stable job and career will also lead to more stability when buying a home.
To buy a home in Hawaii, you need to get your finances in order.
Before you start house hunting, ask yourself these simple questions:
- How much credit card debt do you have?
- How much are your student loans, car loans or personal loans worth?
Your total monthly debt payment, including your desired mortgage amount, must be less than 43% of your gross monthly income for most mortgage programs. Another debt-to-income ratio used by lenders says your monthly mortgage payment should be less than 28% to 31% of your gross monthly income.
In addition to the amounts of debt that qualify you to purchase a home, responsible loan repayment and credit card habits help you develop positive mortgage repayment habits.
If you decide to go with a conventional loan, you’ll typically need to put down 20% to waive the required mortgage insurance costs. If you’re in the military, you can sometimes finance the purchase of a home in Hawaii with a VA loan, which often requires no down payment.
- What is your credit score?
Do you have a great 820 or an average 620? Your credit score is an important number that lenders use to screen potential home buyers. Getting your finances in order is essential to achieving your dream of home ownership.
Owning property in Hawaii requires some savings. Do you have the money for a down payment and closing costs?
A down payment often requires a huge amount of money, ranging from 20%, 15%, 3%, 3.5%, 5% and even zero percent to qualify for a loan. For a $700,000 home in Hawaii, that could mean $140,000 for a 20 percent discount. Additionally, closing costs, insurance, taxes, and money for furniture and renovations should also be saved until you purchase the home.
If you can afford the upfront costs associated with purchasing a home in Hawaii and also have some extra cash to breathe in the fresh Hawaiian air, you are well on your way to beginning the home buying process.
We’re diving deeper into finance and closing out our other buyer’s guides.
Before you buy a home in Hawaii, plan ahead!
Can you really afford the house payment?
If you’re used to paying monthly rent, a monthly mortgage payment that goes toward your own home rather than someone else’s might make sense. However, when calculating your monthly home payments, be sure to consider not only the principal and interest on your mortgage, but also the following:
- Property tax
- Insurance
- Apartment fee
- Water, electricity, internet and other utilities
- Repair and maintenance (Maintenance)
- Furniture
Calculating all the costs of owning a home in Hawaii before you buy will help you make the right financial decision.
What type of home will suit your lifestyle and situation?
Hawaii has a variety of housing options in different areas. There are quaint condominiums in low-rise buildings and modern apartments with all the amenities in high-rise new buildings. There are old Hawaiian-style plantation homes with a couple of bedrooms and multi-generational megahomes that can accommodate an entire family.
Think about your situation. Are you single, newlyweds, have a large family, or are you downsizing? Do you want to live in a close-knit community close to your apartment or community neighbors? Do you want privacy and space for a garden? These general questions can help you determine the basic number of rooms and bathrooms that may be appropriate for your situation and whether a single-family home or condominium is right for you.
How will you know when you’ve found the right home in Hawaii? Have you made a list of your “shoulds” and “wants”?
When making such a large purchase, it is often helpful to write down or make a collage of pictures of what you are looking for. Also, make a realistic list. We may all want five bedrooms and four bathrooms in one of Oahu’s most desirable neighborhoods like Lanikai, but is that possible on your budget in Hawaii, too?
A Hawaii realtor will be able to best tell you about the Hawaii housing market, but before and after speaking with a real estate agent, you may want to think about your “must-haves,” which may include the following:
- Single-family home or condominium
- Number of bedrooms
- Number of bathrooms
- Hawaiian island
- Neighborhood opportunities on this island
- Price Range (Based on Mortgage Lender Pre-Approval)
- Ready to move or fix top
Once you have your “must-have” list, you can create a “wish-to-have” list, which could include the following:
- Mountain or ocean view
- Yard size
- Some plants such as plumeria or fruit trees
- Certain home finishes, such as vaulted ceilings, windows, appliances, double vanities in bathrooms, or types of flooring.
- House colors outside and inside
- Solar panels
- Pool
- Proximity to certain amenities such as a gym, schools or the beach.
While “wants” can be nice, they are often hard to come by, especially in the hot Hawaiian home market. You may have to live with it if you find a place that has everything you need. The benefit of being a homeowner in Hawaii is that you can often put up some “capital” or hire someone to remodel the house or landscape the yard to achieve the look of your dream home. And these finishes can be done over time and as you secure financing for home upgrades.
Are you ready for commitment?
Buying a home is a big decision and one of the most important financial decisions you will make in your life. Are you ready to pay your mortgage every month? Can you keep up with the service? If you’re buying a home with your spouse or significant other, is your relationship ready to add a home? Who will do what – mortgage and utility payments, repairs – and how will the property be registered?
While many people are homeowners, and owning a home in Hawaii has many benefits, such as recognition, no rule says you have to buy a home by a certain age or ever. If you’ve crunched the numbers, talked to your significant other, and formulated an estate plan, you may be well on your way to being ready to buy a home in Hawaii. However, buying a home is not accessible to everyone. The housing market, your career, your family situation, and other factors may cause you to continue renting until the time is right to buy a home in Hawaii—and that’s okay.
Buying a home in Hawaii must be done at the right time.
So, is it time for you to make a home in Hawaii a reality?
If you couldn’t answer “yes”, don’t worry! Owning a home in Hawaii is a huge responsibility. Renting may be right for you, or your dream home in paradise may come later.
If you answered yes to the questions above, now may be the right time to begin your home buying journey. Get your finances in order so you can start making your dream of owning your own home a reality.
If you have any questions about real estate in Hawaii, you can fill out the form and we will answer you as soon as possible.
Escape from Hawaii! Population continues to decline
Hawaii’s population fell 0.7% between July 2020 and July 2021, the third-largest per capita population decline in the country, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Hawaii trailed only New York (-1.6%) and Illinois (-0.9%).
According to the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program, Hawaii’s net population loss for fiscal year 2021 was 10,358, marking the fifth consecutive year that the state has experienced a population loss.
#Hawaii, #Laws, #Taxes, #News, www.Hawaii.Bio
In December 2020, census data showed that Hawaii’s population decreased by 8,609 people in fiscal year 2020 and by 7,487 people in fiscal year 2019.
“Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, but residents continue to leave for better opportunities elsewhere. If there are any state or county politicians who are not already aware of this fact, hopefully this latest information will clear things up.”
According to census data, Hawaii had a population of 1,441,553 as of July 2021, up from 1,451,911 residents the previous year. This includes 15,904 births and 14,648 deaths, corresponding to a “natural increase” of 1,256 people. The bureau also estimated a net influx of 1,077 people, including both immigrants and returning U.S. citizens who moved to Hawaii from other countries.
Thus, the entire decline was due to continued emigration to the mainland, with the difference between people moving to and from the mainland being minus 12,603.
Early last year, results from the 2020 Census showed that the state’s population increased by 7% from 2010 to 2020. The timing and composition of this increase remains poorly understood pending the Census Bureau’s ongoing estimate of the 2020 Census and a revision of its population estimates for the previous decade, the results of which are expected later this year.
In any case, the underlying reasons for Hawaii’s population decline remain. All data points to a steady exodus of Hawaii residents to the mainland over the past decade, increasing since 2016 and continuing last year. For the most part, the reasons boil down to Hawaii’s high cost of living, housing shortages, and lack of jobs and business opportunities.
According to a 2019 survey by the Pacific Resource Partnership , the top reasons people left Hawaii were the high cost of living, 86%, and the high cost of housing, 83%.
In 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that Hawaii’s cost of living is the highest in the country, 12% higher than the national average.
In 2021, the BEA found that Honolulu was one of the most expensive metropolitan areas in the country, with the cost of living 13% higher than the metropolitan average.
Commentary Series for Hawaii Biography “Why Did We Leave Hawaii?” documents the stories of dozens of people who felt compelled to say “Aloha” to Hawaii. Here’s what some former Hawaii residents have to say:
- “Most of my family is still in Hawaii. Some are in different states. They moved because of the schools, the lower cost of living and higher pay.”
- “I don’t believe we will ever be able to afford to live there again. We miss Hawaii.”
- “My family moved to a place where housing and land are affordable. There are many job opportunities and better pay.”
With thousands of people leaving Hawaii every year, it is high time the Legislature focused on policies that will lower the cost of living and expand opportunity. Cutting taxes, reducing barriers to new housing, and promoting Jones Act reform would be good starting points. We just have to create a better environment for our family, friends and neighbors who right now seem to see a better future for themselves anywhere but Hawaii.
* If you have personal experience of life in Hawaii and want to share your impressions and tell us about it, please write to us contact@hawaii.bio or fill out the form on the “Contact” page
**We also invite residents of Hawaii or those who have left this state to participate in the radio/video broadcast on the Hawaii Biography platform.
Real Estate Sales and Trends on the Island of Hawaii
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Year to date, there have been 730 residential home sales across the Big Island compared to 805 in the first quarter of 2021, a decrease of ↓9%; 236 apartments sold compared to 323 in the first quarter of 2021, a decrease of ↓27%; and there were 754 vacant land sales compared to 747 during the same period last year, a slight increase of ↑2%.
In addition, average residential property sales prices across the island increased by ↑17% compared to last year. Likewise, median sales prices for condominiums are up ↑14% year over year, and median sales prices for vacant land are up ↑26% this year compared to the first 3.5 months of last year.
As we move into the second quarter of 2022 on the Kohala Coast, we are seeing unprecedented levels of demand with virtually no inventory. We do not expect demand to decline; however, the decrease in the number of quality properties available for sale in the luxury segment is proving to be our market’s biggest challenge in 2022.
The following strong first quarter 2022 results from Mauna Kea and Kohala Coast Resorts explain the unprecedented level of demand in our market. Inventory is tighter than ever, but properties are being snapped up at the fastest pace they’ve ever been, selling almost as soon as they hit the market. Prices continue to rise, but overall sales volume and number of sales are declining due to inventory shortages.
Sale of Mauna Kea Resort
1 sq. 2022: 23 sales (down 8% y-o-y)
Q1 2021: 25 sales
Q1 2020: 9 sales
Q1 2019: 6 sales
Kohala Coast Sales Exceed $1 Million (South Kohala Area)
1 sq. 2022: 77 sales (3% increase year-on-year)
Q1 2021: 75 sales
Q1 2020: 32 sales
Q1 2019: 19 sales
Kohala Coast Sales Exceed $3 Million (South Kohala Area)
1 sq. 2022: 20 sales (up 54% y-o-y)
Q1 2021: 13 sales
Q1 2020: 10 sales
Q1 2019: 1 sale
Average Sale Price at Mauna Kea Resort
1 sq. 2022: USD 3.313 million (up 21% y-o-y)
Q1 2021: USD 2.729 million Q1
2020: USD 3.212 million Q1
2019: US$1.651 million
Average Sale Price on Kohala Coast (South Kohala Area)
1 sq. 2022: USD 1.432 million (up 22% y-o-y)
Q1 2021: USD 1.170 million Q1
2020: 874 thousand US dollars Q1
2019: $633 thousand
Kohala Coast Total Sales (South Kohala Region)
1 sq. 2021: USD 250 million (down 6% y-o-y)
Q1 2020: USD 266 million Q1
2019: USD 176 million Q1
2018: US$89 million
West Coast buyers are making a big splash on the island of Hawaii
California homebuyers accounted for nearly a third of total sales on each of the two islands last year: $1.1 billion of the $4 billion spent on homes in Hawaii and $495 million of the $1.6 billion on Kauai .
Here are some interesting details within these overall numbers:
2019: Hawaii Island’s sales of just under $4 billion last year were double those of 2019, the last full year before the Covid-19 pandemic. According to statistics, more homes were sold on the island of Hawaii last year – 5,724 houses and apartments, which is 47% more than in 2019.
Kohala Coast: More than three-quarters of Hawaii Island’s total sales in 2021—$3.1 billion, or 78%—came from the Kohala Coast region, which also includes the North Kona Coast. The 2,450 sales in the area accounted for 43% of the island’s total sales.
Local buyers versus mainland buyers:
48% of individual sales were from Hawaii buyers
22% of buyers were from California
8% of buyers were from Washington State
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Children in Hawaii may lose access to free meals
#Honolulu, #Kauai, #Maui, #Molokai, #Oahu #Businesses, #Hawaii
Public school students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch during the pandemic under a program that expires in June.
The ability for all Hawaii public school students to receive free school meals during the pandemic could end at the end of the school year, potentially leaving thousands of children without access to nutritious food.
When the pandemic hit two years ago, the USDA, which runs the nation’s school meal program, lifted certain restrictions , allowing all children nationwide to receive free school meals. The easing of the rules was intended to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic on education, health and the economy.
The meal waivers also gave schools more flexibility, allowing them to provide things like grab-and-go meals and multiple meals on school campuses. The USDA also provided schools with a higher meal reimbursement rate to reduce financial costs.
But local child nutrition advocates are now on edge after the latest federal spending bill failed to extend those waivers into the next school year, removing funding for the program from the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill .
Unless Congress amends the bill, the waivers will expire at the end of the current school year for Hawaii’s 257 public schools.
Once the benefits end, families will have to go back to paying for meals, according to data from Hawaii Children Nutrition Programs. Many parents are struggling financially and will not be able to pay for their children’s meals.
Child nutrition advocates say this is especially concerning in a state that has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the country.
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Smith & Wesson Sues State of Hawaii
#Firearms | #Guns, #Honolulu #Kauai, #Maui, #Molokai, #Oahu #Safety, #Hawaii
Gun maker Smith & Wesson is suing the state Attorney General’s Office over what it says are exorbitant fees for firearms-related public records.
The AG’s office sought as much as $27,000 for records requested by the gun maker and said it would take hundreds of hours for lawyers to comply with the request, according to a civil lawsuit filed Monday. The lawsuit says Smith & Wesson filed similar registration requests in other states but did not face the same barriers to access.
“It appears to the client and to us that the amount of time that the State of Hawaii is seeking, and therefore the amount of fees, is an attempt to thwart the public records request ,” attorney Jeff Portnoy, representing Smith & Wesson, said.
In 2020, third-party agency Cogency Global filed three records requests on behalf of Smith & Wesson. The first request asked for communications between the department and the Gun Liability Counsel Task Force , a coalition of law firms that seek to prevent gun violence.
The company also requested several requests for proposals that the AG’s office issued related to firearms issues. The third request was for a log of all records requests made to the AG’s office.
The AG’s office denied some of those records, saying their release would interfere with lawful government operations, according to the lawsuit. The AG’s office demanded almost $23,000 for the records that could be released.
The office said it took hundreds of hours to review and separate those records. For the RFP request alone, Smith & Wesson charged $2.50 for every 15 minutes spent searching for records and $5 for every 15 minutes spent reviewing those documents.
The AG’s office requested half the total, about $12,000, before the records were released.
In July 2021, the weapons company issued a second, narrower request to cut costs. Instead, the AG’s office set a higher estimate of $27,000 for searching the records and reviewing them.
Portnoy said the company wants the state to provide realistic estimates of the actual amount of time it will take the AG’s office to complete the filing request.
“In Smith & Wesson’s view, the state is trying to prevent the production of (documents),” said attorney Jeff Portnoy, who represents Smith & Wesson, said.
The gun maker says in the lawsuit that it believes the AG’s refusal to release the records was politically motivated. Hawaii has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, and companies like Smith & Wesson have challenged those laws in other states in the past.
In December, Smith & Wesson joined a lawsuit seeking to overturn a New York law allowing victims of gun violence to sue the gun industry. The company is also facing an investigation by the state of New Jersey seeking internal documents .
Portnoy said he was not authorized to say what led the company to believe the denials of the document request were politically motivated. He said he was not told exactly why the company needed the documents.
The AG’s office had not yet received the lawsuit as of Tuesday. A department spokesman said the department will respond to the complaint as soon as it happens.
On the subject: PERMISSION TO PURCHASE “Guns in Hawaii” you may be interested in .
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Oahu suffered its sharpest decline, losing 12,300 residents
#Honolulu, #Kauai, #Maui, #Molokai, #Oahu #Hawaii, #Laws, #Taxes, #RealEstate, #News,
HONOLULU (Hawaii.bio) – Hawaii’s population continued to decline in 2021, largely because more residents left the state for the mainland than moved in, according to new Census Bureau estimates.
Oahu experienced its sharpest decline, losing a total of more than 12,300 residents.
Maui County also saw a population decline, with just over 430 residents.
Meanwhile, Hawaii Island is home to more than 2,000 residents, and Kauai County is home to approximately 250 people.
The Census Bureau estimated Hawaii’s July 2021 population at 1,455,271. This is a decrease of 0.7% or 10,358 people compared to last year.
Hawaii’s population has been declining for several years.
Oahu’s population in 2021 was 1,000,890, down 1.2%, or 12,337 people, from the year before.
The Census Bureau says outmigration from the mainland has led to Oahu’s population decline
Statewide, births still outnumber deaths, but the gap is narrowing. Both Hawaii County and Kauai had more deaths than births.
Nationwide, more than 73% of U.S. counties had more deaths than births in 2021. This is approximately double the previous year.
Experts said declining birth rates, an aging population and increased mortality exacerbated by the COVID pandemic have made the situation worse, the Census Bureau reported.
As we previously reported in our post Escape from Hawaii! The population continues to decline. With thousands of people leaving Hawaii every year, it is high time the Legislature focused on policies that will lower the cost of living and expand opportunity. Cutting taxes, reducing barriers to new housing, and promoting Jones Act reform would be good starting points. We just have to create a better environment for our family, friends and neighbors who right now seem to see a better future for themselves anywhere but Hawaii.
* If you have personal experience of life in Hawaii and want to share your impressions and tell us about it, please write to us contact@hawaii.bio or fill out the form on the “Contact” page
**We also invite residents of Hawaii or those who have left this state to take part in the radio/video broadcast on the Hawaii Biography platform.
Hawaii.bio invites residents of the USA and Hawaii to share their opinions in our publications on the pages of the Hawaii.bio website
Columns should be no more than 1,000 words in length, and a photo of the author and biography are welcome. We also publish video interviews and other multimedia formats. Send to contact@hawaii.bio
The opinions and information expressed on Hawaii.bio are solely those of the authors, and not Hawaii.bio.
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Where will Maui’s mayor spend $1 Billion in 2022?
#Madei n Hawaii, #Maui, #Real Estate Rental, #Safety, #Businesses, #Hawaii, #Laws, #Investor, #Taxes, #Real Estate, #News, #Advice, www.Hawaii.Bio, Businesses in Hawaii recommendations , Future of Hawaii Real Estate, Property Tax, Lifestyle, Cost of Living in Hawaii, Transportation, Tourism, Vacations, Entertainment, What You Need to Know About Hawaii
Maui Mayor Michael Victorino unveiled his proposed $1 billion budget for the next year in late March 2022, outlining how he plans to govern Maui County and invest in new projects such as road repairs, expanding beach parking options for local residents and strengthening water systems to protect against natural disasters.
During a presentation in the Council Chamber, Michael Victorino laid out his priorities and plan for spending taxpayer dollars and other money over the next year. The 968-page spending plan outlines how much money goes to core government services — police and fire, state employee salaries, roads and sewer lines — in addition to other county programs and services such as grants for local farmers. food security, affordable housing funding and support for arts and culture programs.
In his State of the County address last week, Michael Victorino outlined his top priorities for the coming year, including promoting economic diversification, improving tourism management, protecting the county from the climate crisis and ramping up housing construction for working families.
The mayor also touched on several different ways the county can address these issues, including putting more money into the county’s emergency fund, increasing dollars for housing programs and increasing workforce training programs.
“For decades, Hawaii has talked about having a diversified economy,” said Michael Victorino. “However, meaningful action has always been put off until tomorrow because our hospitality industry has been so robust… but times are changing, and changing fast.”
This year, Maui’s elected leaders will be tasked with weighing what to do with the influx of cash. The state recently allowed counties to begin collecting an additional 3% tax on resorts and hotel rooms on top of the state’s existing 10.25% hotel room tax, which is estimated to bring in an additional $60 million to Maui County, the mayor said.
“We’ll use it wisely and we’ll use it effectively,” Michael Victorino said, adding that he wants to funnel the new revenue into affordable housing programs.
Since the pandemic began and Maui’s housing market has been flooded with out-of-state buyers, home prices have risen beyond the financial means of many families. The mayor said Thursday his budget plan includes investing $29 million in the county’s affordable housing fund and dedicating $1 million to a program to help first-time homebuyers with down payments of up to $30,000.
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HAWAII GUN LAWS
#Firearms, #Guns, #Safety, #Hawaii, #Laws, #Advice, www.Hawaii.Bio
The Hawaii State Constitution directly copies the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution. “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Article I, Section 17.
Militia
The Hawaiian state defines the militia as “every able-bodied citizen residing in the United States who is seventeen years of age or older but under forty-six years of age, and all other able-bodied residents of that age who have declared their intention to become citizens.” of the United States,” and further defines “unorganized militia” as consisting of “those members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard, Naval Militia, or State Defense Forces.” Women are not excluded. Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Section 121-1
REGISTRATION OF ALL FIREARMS IMPORTED INTO HAWAII
All firearms brought into the state must be registered with the county police within 5 days. Foreigners may import firearms for 90 days only for bona fide hunting or target shooting purposes.
You do not need a purchase permit to bring your own firearm into the state.
PURCHASE PERMISSION
Purchasing any firearms in the state requires permission from your county police chief. You must be 21 years of age or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien. You will be fingerprinted and photographed for a criminal background check, and you must certify under oath that you are mentally healthy and have no drug or alcohol addiction or criminal history. You consent to the disclosure of your medical history and provide the name, telephone number and address of your physician (if available). You are not required to have a doctor or provide a medical examination. Your doctor is required to disclose any mental health information related to your purchase of a firearm. Driving under the influence, a history of a serious psychiatric diagnosis, a medical prescription for cannabis, or any treatment for alcohol or drug addiction will result in a permit being denied.
If your permit is denied because you are not authorized to own property, your county police must notify you in writing of the reason for the denial. The police in your county may require you to surrender all your firearms and ammunition to a dealer or other authorized person or surrender them within 30 days.
You must wait 14 days for your approval. Permits not received by the 6th day after the 14 day waiting period will be forfeited. Applicants will be required to reapply and undergo another 14-day waiting period.
Individual firearm purchase permits are required for each transaction and must be used within 10 days of issue. The permit to purchase shotguns and rifles is valid for one year from the date of issue for any number of transactions.
RAP-BACK
The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center currently charges a one-time fee for permits or registration to operate the Rap-Back program. It covers an FBI background check, fingerprinting, and submitting your name, Social Security number, height, weight, hair and eye color, and firearm ownership to a permanent federal database that will tell police your districts. if you are arrested on a felony charge or even a misdemeanor charge anywhere in the US. Even if you paid the previous FBI fingerprint background check fee, you must pay the new fee, $42, exact change, cash or credit cards accepted. Several required forms and additional information are available at: http://honolulupd.org/information/index.php?page=gunmain.
Neighbor Island residents, check with your county police department for options.
To obtain permission to purchase a pistol, you must present proof of completion of safety training. Military Pistol Course, Law Enforcement Course, Hawaii Hunter Training Course, or 6-hour course including 2 hours of shooting, training in Hawaii gun laws and safe handling and storage taught by an NRA certified instructor with proper affidavits, everything meets the criteria.
The Honolulu Police Department interprets this section of the law to require a new permit for the return of your own firearms in the possession of HPD (see “TRO”).
You can transfer an inherited firearm to a licensed firearms dealer without going through the purchase permit process. Show the dealer a copy of the previous owner’s death certificate. Proper transfer of firearms should be part of your and your relatives’ estate planning.
REGISTRATION OF PURCHASED WEAPONS IN HAWAII
Firearms must be registered with the county police within five days of being purchased or imported from out of state. Firearms that fire loose black powder or black powder substitutes, and antique or disabled firearms do not need to be registered (but are otherwise defined as firearms and different laws apply). Owners who purchased rifles and shotguns (long guns) in the state before July 1, 1994 do not need to register them. Spouses who otherwise meet the requirements for a purchase permit may register a firearm jointly.
Any person transferring a long gun must notify the county police chief issuing the purchase permit of the name of the person purchasing the firearm and the make, model, barrel length and serial number within 48 hours of the transfer or the long gun may be seized.
SPACE FOR STORING AND CARRYING WEAPONS
Concealed and open carry are felonies without permission from your county police chief. While this is permitted by law in special circumstances of threat to self or property, it is the current policy of chiefs to provide it only to law enforcement and those military and security personnel whose duties specifically require it. Private citizens are denied. Hawaii is a “may issue” and “for good cause only” state.
You can store firearms and ammunition in your home, office (with your employer’s permission) or place of residence (where you live or sleep). You can move right between them and the shooting range, gun class, meeting or show, police station, hunt, gunsmith and firearms dealer. Guns must be transported unloaded, in rigid lockable containers or commercial gun containers that completely enclose the firearm (commercially produced gun carriers qualify). Unloaded means there is no ammunition in the chamber, cylinder, or magazine when inserted into the firearm. Vehicles carrying loaded weapons are subject to seizure and forfeiture.
Note that in firearms laws, the word “firearm” is often followed by the words “and ammunition.” Thus, even in the absence of a firearm, ammunition is subject to the same restrictions as firearms regarding transportation and where it is stored and carried.
FIREARM SAFETY
If a minor under the age of 16 can access your firearm without parental permission, except as required by law, at a shooting range or hunting, you may be guilty of an offense punishable by a fine and imprisonment (unless by hacking). -v, etc.).
The owner of a firearm is “absolutely” liable for bodily injury or property damage caused by the discharge of his or her firearm, unless the firearm was stolen and reasonably reported stolen, or unless the discharge of the firearm was legally justified or was property NRO. A firearms instructor conducts a class. A firearm must be locked or otherwise securely secured unless it is on a person or in such close proximity that the person can easily draw it as if it were on the person.
Rifles and shotguns may be loaned for a maximum of 15 days to persons legally entitled to own them. Another authorized person on the range may use any firearm in the presence of the owner. Otherwise, pistols cannot be borrowed.
Minors 16 years of age and older may carry a long gun while hunting, and minors 12–16 years of age may do so if accompanied by an adult. Hunting with a shotgun is permitted under hunting regulations issued by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The Chief of Police may issue a permit to an alien eighteen years of age or older for up to 60 days after the alien has received a hunting license. To obtain a hunting license, you must complete a hunter education course.
DISABILITY
If you are subject to a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by someone who told the judge that you have a firearm and they are concerned that you may threaten or use it, you must surrender all your firearms and ammunition to the county police for the duration of this order. You can only find out when the policeman hands you the order. He or she may take any firearm or ammunition in sight, may search it if invited, and must otherwise obtain a search warrant. Individuals subject to a restraining order may transfer their firearms to licensed firearms dealers.
Any police officer who has reasonable grounds to believe that a person has recently assaulted or threatened to assault a family or family member may seize, without a warrant, any firearm or ammunition that has been used or threatened to be used. In some cases (lack of issuance of TRO, legal possession, lack of criminal cases, lack of evidence); Owners of seized firearms may return them within 7 business days.
Convicts, persons dishonorably discharged from military service, convicts, foreigners, and persons convicted of violent offenses, including domestic violence, may not possess firearms or ammunition. Level 4 domestic violence can be as simple as sending unwanted messages to your ex. Only a special pardon from the governor can restore gun rights.
Police in your county transporting people to an emergency room or mental health facility for emergency mental health issues or involuntary hospitalization may advise them to immediately surrender their firearms and ammunition or require them to be confiscated. No court order or lawsuit is required. To get a firearm back, a person must find a doctor willing to certify that he or she is “no longer adversely affected” or file a lawsuit against the state.
FIREARMS PROHIBITED IN THE STATE OF HAWAII
Fully automatic firearms (machine guns) are illegal in Hawaii (since statehood), except for military and law enforcement purposes.
“Assault pistols”, defined by several characteristics, basically large semi-automatic pistols of a cosmetic, militarized appearance, typically accepting detachable magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds, are prohibited except those registered before July 1992 (grandfathered, cannot be transferred). These include semi-automatic versions of the UZI, Tech-9, etc., as well as some large target pistols. A partial list can be obtained from the State Attorney General and County Police.
Hawaii state law prohibits detachable pistol magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds unless they are locked to 10 rounds or less and are “difficult to recover.” Possession of illegal magazines is a misdemeanor, one count per magazine, and possession of a pistol with one pistol inserted in it is a Class C felony. There is much debate among gun owners, law enforcement, and dealers regarding the interpretation of this part of the statute when rifle magazines are considered. suitable for pistols, and the ban is generally not respected.
The 1994 federal ban on “assault rifles” has now been repealed and is invalid.
Stun guns, guns, silencers, hand grenades, explosives, bombs, Teflon-coated ammunition, explosive or segmenting ammunition, zinc pistols capable of melting at less than 800 degrees Fahrenheit (the legal definition of a “Saturday Night Special”), shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches, and rifles with barrels less than 16 inches are prohibited in Hawaii.
CRAZY DANGER
Discharging a firearm into or toward a populated area, street, or road constitutes reckless endangerment. This may apply to ranges, careless discharges, and self-defense use.
PROHIBITION ON SEIZURE DURING AN EMERGENCY OR DISASTER
Lawfully possessed firearms cannot be confiscated. Permissions cannot be changed.
USE OF DEADLY FORCE IN HAWAII
The use of deadly force is justified only in self-defense or the defense of another innocent person if there is reason to believe that doing so would otherwise result in death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping, rape, or forcible sodomy. Using deadly force to protect private property may result in criminal prosecution. The use of deadly force is not otherwise justified if it can be safely avoided by retreating or adopting other defensive strategies, except that Hawaii does not require you to retreat from your home. You cannot justify the use of defensive lethal force if you initiated the use or escalated the confrontation. The police are ordered to arrest ANY murder. The prosecutor then decides whether to file charges.
TRANSPORTATION AND SHIPMENT OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION IN HAWAII
Individuals cannot ship firearms to each other across state lines (unless they are federally licensed firearms dealers) except to and from a factory or authorized gunsmith for repairs or to ship inherited firearms . Most licensed dealers will ship and receive items from another dealer for a fee. Express delivery companies often only deliver between dealers. This does not prevent you from having your own firearms, including firearms you have inherited , from being shipped directly to you. Shotguns, rifles, antiques and muzzle loading firearms can be shipped via US Mail. Individuals can ship shotguns and rifles directly to the dealer. Registered mail is recommended. You cannot send ammunition or handguns through the mail. The Post Office may require you to show or certify in writing that the firearm is unloaded and to certify that the recipient is authorized under federal law. The Post Office will not, however, provide you with advice on federal laws regarding the mailing of firearms. Black powder, black powder substitutes, primers, smokeless powder or primers cannot be transported by commercial airline or US mail. Carrying ammunition for yourself to and from Hawaii is legal if you are at least 21 years old, but the associated express shipping costs and red tape often make it prohibitive.
You may travel with your own firearms and ammunition. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has guidelines and rules.
They are changing . Before traveling with a firearm, check the TSA website. http://www.tsa.gov
Check your airline’s website for their baggage policies regarding “dangerous items.” They are changing .
When you travel with a firearm, it is often wise to take with you a copy of both the most recent TSA guidelines and your airline’s policies. Often, TSA agents and airline ticket/baggage agents do not fully understand their rules and regulations. Help them complete. Come to registration early. Bring your firearm in a hard case that locks securely. Ammunition must be stored in commercially available ammunition containers.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT TO BOARD AN AIRLINE WITH FIREARMS OR AMMUNITION, COMPONENTS OR PARTS ON YOUR PERSON OR IN HAND BAGGAGE!
Check your destination’s firearms laws and local ground transportation regulations.
Federal law states that if you begin your trip in accordance with local laws and end your trip in the same way, then you are in compliance with the rules while traveling if your firearm and ammunition are properly secured (i.e., unloaded and inaccessible), even though that local laws state otherwise.
If you interrupt your journey (if you leave a protected area), you will be subject to local laws.
[*** ATTENTION! State and federal firearms laws are complex and subject to frequent changes. The above summary should not be construed as legal advice or restatement of the law. Some of them are wrong. To determine the applicability of these laws to specific situations you may encounter, you are urged to consult with a qualified local attorney familiar with firearms law.
The NRA has a list of firearms lawyers in Hawaii. ]
PROTECT YOUR GUN RIGHTS. JOIN THE HAWAIIAN PROPELLER ASSOCIATION!
References:
Firearms Statute: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/
Firearm Owner Responsibility : https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/
Use of force in self-defense: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0703/HRS_0703-0304.htm
Schools in Hawaii: private and public
#Honolulu | #Honolulu, #Kauai, #Maui, #Molokai, #Oahu | #Oaxy, #Laws, #News, #Education, #Advice, www.Hawaii.Bio, Cost of Living in Hawaii, What You Need to Know About Hawaii
If you are moving to Hawaii and have children between the ages of five and eighteen, you may be wondering which schooling option is best—public school, private school, or charter school. Read on to learn more about Hawaii’s school system, as well as the best public and private schools on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
How does the public school system work in Hawaii?
The Hawaii public school system was founded by King Kamehameha III in 1840 and is the oldest system west of the Mississippi River. The public school system covers the entire state and all islands, meaning that all 294 schools, serving approximately 174,000 students and 12,700 teachers, are under one superintendent and one Hawaii Board of Education, whose nine voting members are appointed by the governor and consult with the state. Senate.
Hawaii is the only Local Education Agency (LEA) and State Education Agency (SEA) in the United States; most schools on the mainland US are run by a separate, smaller district, or LEA. To administer this large public school system, Hawaii’s public schools are divided into 15 area areas, each headed by an area superintendent and named as the high schools that students in that area will attend.
Oahu
- Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani
- Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt
- Aiea-Moanalua-Radford
- Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua
- Campbell-Kapolei Pearl
- City-Waipahu
- Nanakuli-Waianae
- Castle Kahuku
- Kailua-Kalaheo
Hawaii Island/Big Island
- Hilo-Waiakea
- Kau-Keaau-Pahoa
- Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena
Maui, Molokai, and Lanai
- Baldwin-Kekaulike-Maui
- Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai
Kauai
- Kapaa-Kauai-Waimea
Unlike many places on the mainland U.S., funding for public schools in Hawaii does not come directly from property taxes. Instead, the Hawaii State Legislature approves an annual budget, which is signed or vetoed by the governor; this primary source of school funding is primarily financed by state tax revenues and is used for the day-to-day operations of schools. There are also capital funds used for school facilities, as well as some additional funding from the federal government. Funding for each school is calculated on a “per pupil” basis, or based on the number of students attending that school. In fiscal year 2018, Hawaii Public Schools received $15,242 for each student attending that particular public school. This per-pupil funding figure includes state, federal, special fund and trust money.
How does the private school system work in Hawaii?
Private schools have their own unique mission and curriculum and do not have to be accountable to as many state or federal regulations as Hawaii’s public schools. They set their own rules regarding teacher credentials and student admissions, meaning their teachers are typically not union members and they do not have to admit every student like a public school.
Private schools in Hawaii are diverse. There are private preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools; some private schools in Hawaii serve students from preschool through 12th grade. Hawaii has private boarding, day, parochial/religious, secular, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, International Baccalaureate (IB), Waldorf and many other options.
Although private schools in Hawaii are offered more autonomy in the management of their schools than public schools, they must be licensed and/or accredited. In 2015, the Hawaii legislature passed Act 227, requiring all private schools in Hawaii to be licensed by the Hawaii Council of Private Schools (HCPS) or accredited by a recognized accrediting body such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). which accredits almost all public and private schools in Hawaii. In order for private K-12 schools in Hawaii to be licensed, they must meet certain criteria:
- Require students to attend school.
- Establish a certain number of school days and/or hours that students are in class with the teacher.
- Release official school documents such as transcripts and diplomas.
- Make sure their students are enrolled only in their school and not in a home school, public school, or other private school.
- Define themselves as a school, and not as an alternative educational program.
Unlike the public school system, which offers tuition-free education through the use of state and federal taxes and other government funding, private schools in Hawaii often charge a tuition fee that parents must pay. Other funds for running the school usually come in the form of charitable contributions.
Most private schools in Hawaii, including all those that are members of HAIS, are nonprofit schools, meaning that funds are returned to support the schools and that each school must have a board of trustees that governs the nonprofit organization. However, several private schools in Hawaii are for-profit, meaning that they are run like a business and are intended to make a profit.
What types of private schools are there in Hawaii?
Choosing the best private school will depend on your child’s needs and unique learning styles, so it’s helpful to know what schooling options are available in Hawaii.
- Religious/Parochial Schools: Some schools are run by a specific church and are called parochial schools. In Hawaii, some schools are affiliated with Catholic, Protestant, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Jewish, Buddhist, and other religious denominations. Some private schools in Hawaii teach a specific religion, such as non-denominational Christian, but are not directly affiliated with or affiliated to a specific church. Often religious schools accept students from all backgrounds, teach both secular and religious education, and teach religious values and traditions. Religious schools can be found on every major Hawaiian island—Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
- Waldorf Schools: Developed by Austrian teacher Rudolf Steiner, the Waldorf school uses art and movement as a primary mode of teaching and throughout its curriculum. The first Waldorf school opened in Germany in 1919. There are Waldorf schools all over the world, but are there Waldorf schools in Hawaii? Yes, Oahu has the Honolulu Waldorf School, which is located in Kaimuki and serves students in preschool through 8th grade. On Maui, there is the Haleakala Waldorf School, serving students from preschool through 12th grade, and on the Big Island, there is the Malamalama Waldorf School, serving students from preschool through eighth grade.
- Montessori: Montessori school teaching methods were developed by Italian physician and teacher Maria Montessori and focus on the harmonious relationship between the child, the environment and the teacher. Montessori schools focus not only on academic development, but also social and emotional development, and allow the child to follow their interests at their own pace of learning. Teachers serve as guides. Are there Montessori schools in Hawaii? Yes, there are more than ten Montessori schools in Hawaii on the islands of Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. Typically these schools are small.
- International Baccalaureate (IB). Known for their academic rigor, IB schools focus on teaching students to think critically and apply their knowledge to real-world situations throughout their course units. There are more than 5,000 IB schools in more than 150 countries around the world, and Hawaii has three IB schools on the island of Oahu: Le Jardin Academy in Kailua, Island Pacific Academy in Kapolei, and Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu.
- Other: Many private schools in Hawaii do not follow the above educational programs or are not affiliated with a church or religion. Private schools can create their own unique educational missions and programs that best suit the students and communities they serve. Just as diverse are the children in Hawaii, so are the private schools on the islands.
What about charter schools in Hawaii?
In 1995, Waialae Elementary became the first charter school in Hawaii, and in 1999, the State of Hawaii passed Act 62, which became the first state charter law. There are currently 38 charter schools. How are charter schools different from traditional public schools? In Hawaii, one of the only differences is that each charter school has a local school board and a unique educational program—either online learning or a Hawaiian immersion curriculum. A charter school in Hawaii can offer a special education program that is appropriate for your child that a traditional public school in Hawaii cannot offer. Although charter schools in Hawaii operate under a special contract with the state’s nine-member Public Charter School Commission, they are ultimately required to be responsible for performance indicators for all public and charter schools in Hawaii under the Hawaii Department of Education and the Hawaii Board of Education. education. Despite differences in educational programs, charter schools in Hawaii are subject to the same accountability structure as traditional public schools in Hawaii. Another difference is that charter schools in Hawaii are funded significantly less than traditional public schools. In fiscal year 2018, charter schools in Hawaii received $7,259 per student. As a result of receiving less funding, some charter schools in Hawaii have less than stellar facilities, such as pop-up tents, or rely on alternative funding, such as donations. Many charter schools range from pre-K through 12th grade, and some specialize in elementary or middle school levels. Applications are often made through a lottery system if all places are filled. To find a charter school in Hawaii, visit the Hawaii Public Charter School Commission directory.
Where are the best public schools in Hawaii?
Based on interviews with parents and teachers and research conducted by Honolulu Magazine on pre-COVID-19 public school rankings, below are the best public schools in the Hawaiian Islands. Data from math, reading and science assessments, as well as attendance and student surveys were analyzed to determine where the best public schools in Hawaii are located.
Best Oahu Public Schools
In Manoa, Hawaii’s best elementary schools are located in this safe, family-friendly area. Although there are many private schools near Manoa Valley, the public elementary schools in Manoa have had a reputation for many years as being among the best in the state: Noelani Elementary School and Manoa Elementary School. Manoa is also home to the University Laboratory School, located on the University of Hawaii’s Manoa campus. University Lab School is a K-12 charter school and is considered one of the top high schools in Hawaii. Parents have praised Laboratory School for being similar to one of the best private schools in the area. The Salt Lake City area is located near the military installations of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Fort Shafter and Camp Smith. Public elementary schools in Salt Lake City are rated higher than other areas of Oahu. Top primary schools include Momilani Primary School and Palisades Primary School. Moanalua High School and Aiea High School, both located near Salt Lake City, are often considered among the best high schools in Hawaii, while Moanalua High School also has a strong reputation.
Hawaii Kai is also known to have the best schools on Oahu. The Hawaii Kai Public Schools complex was the first in the state to offer the prestigious and rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) World School Program for grades K-12. Families living in Hawaii Kai can enroll their child in the local elementary school, which feeds into Niu Valley High School and Kaiser High School. The family-friendly Mililani area is also known locally for offering the best education in Oahu’s public schools.
Some people will move to Mililani so their children can attend nearby schools. Mililani-Uka Elementary School is often considered one of the best elementary schools in Mililani and Hawaii. Mililani Middle School and Mililani High School offer many educational programs, and students often perform better academically than other Oahu schools.
Best Maui Public Schools
In Makawao, Pukalani Elementary School is the highest rated elementary school, although it ranks much lower than elementary schools on Oahu. Lokelani Intermediate is one of the state’s top secondary schools located in Kihei. Maui High and King Kekaulike High are similarly rated high schools, with Maui High located in Kahului and King Kekaulike located in the north of the country, on the slopes of Haleakala in Makawao.
Best Kauai Public Schools
All of Kauai’s top-ranked elementary, middle and high schools are located in Lihue. Kaumuali’i is the highest rated elementary school on Kauai, although its rating is much lower than the elementary schools on Oahu. There are only three high schools on Kauai, and of the three, Kamakahelei Middle is the best. When it comes to high schools on Kauai, there are only two traditional public school options, and Kauai High School is considered the best, approaching the top ten high schools in the state.
Best Public Schools on the Big Island
De Silva Elementary School is one of the most popular elementary schools in all of Hawaii and the top public elementary school on the Big Island. Ernest Bowen de Silva Elementary School is located in Hilo. When it comes to high schools, Kona Pacific Charter School is highly rated, and Waikoloa Middle is one of the top traditional public high schools on the Big Island. Hilo Intermediate ranks among the top of all high schools on the Big Island, although the school ranks in the middle of all high schools in the state. Waiakea High is one of the top high schools in the state, located in Hilo, near the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Where are the best private schools in Hawaii?
The best private school for one child may not be the best for another; however, to narrow down the private school results, we’ve ranked the top schools on each of the major populated Hawaiian Islands based on parent and teacher reviews and ratings for academics, extracurricular activities, teachers, and diversity.
Honolulu is home to some of the best and most reputable private schools in Hawaii. Some of these schools are known as the best private schools in the United States. Here are the best private schools in Honolulu:
- Iolani School: With more than 2,000 students in grades K-12, Iolani School has one of the best reputations in Hawaii for academic rigor and successful alumni. It was founded in 1863 and is a religious school affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
- Punahou School: Punahou is the largest private school in Hawaii and one of the largest private schools in the United States, enrolling more than 3,000 students in grades kindergarten through 12. Its notable alumni include former President Barack Obama, surfer, and multiple world title winner world Carissa Moore.
- Mid-Pacific Institute: Mid-Pac is located near the University of Hawaii at Manoa and has approximately 1,500 students in grades pre-K through 12th. It is a Christian school offering the IB curriculum as well as a diverse student body.
- Maryknoll School: The largest coeducational Catholic school in Hawaii, Maryknoll was founded in 1927 by nuns and has approximately 1,100 students in grades K-12. They offer a Chinese immersion program for elementary and middle school students.
Kailua, located on the windward side of Oahu, also has several of Oahu’s top private schools:
- Le Jardin Academy: With approximately 800 students in grades from preschool to 12, Le Jardin is known to be a challenging school with its IB curriculum. It also offers a variety of extracurricular activities in a small school environment.
- Trinity Christian School: Known as a classic college-preparatory Christian school, Trinity Christian School serves nearly 400 students in grades pre-K through 12.
Kapolei has a top-notch kindergarten through 12th grade school that offers the IB curriculum:
- Island Pacific Academy: Enrolling about 500 students in pre-K through 12th grade, this new school in Kapolei offers new opportunities and a rigorous IB curriculum.
On the North Shore of Oahu is an international K-12 day and boarding school that receives excellent reviews from students and parents:
- Asia Pacific International School, Hawaii Campus. Offering both day and boarding, this international school in Hauula is known for its project-based curriculum and small class sizes on a large rural campus.
Maui Private Schools
- Makawao has Seabury Hall, which has approximately 500 students and serves students in grades 6–12.
- Maui Preparatory Academy is located in Lahaina and serves approximately 260 students in grades pre-K through 12.
Kauai Private Schools
- The Island School in Lihue is considered one of the best private schools in the state in Hawaii. It serves approximately 425 students in preschool through 12th grade.
- Kilauea, located near Hanalei and the Na Pali Coast, is home to Kauai Christian Academy. This small Christian school serves approximately 100 students in grades pre-K through 12th.
Big Island Private Schools
Kamuela has some of the best private schools in Hawaii in the entire state:
- Hawaii Preparatory Academy: This K-12 day and boarding school is known as one of the most prestigious and expensive schools in the state. Its students come from all over the world to take academically stimulating college-preparatory classes.
- Parker School: Located on the historic Parker Ranch, this K-12 school with approximately 315 students has a family atmosphere.
Holualoa near Kailua-Kona has an excellent Big Island private school: Makua Lani Christian School. This school has approximately 215 students in grades pre-K through 12th. Their strong college-preparatory teachers and personal teachers provide a caring environment for students to learn.
What’s best for your children?
Hard to say. There are many factors to consider including neighborhood, cost, mission and vision, teachers and administrators, programs, sports, scheduling and flexibility, and more. On the one hand, the public school system in Hawaii has received a lot of criticism from members of the community, there are a number of excellent schools with dedicated teachers and administrators.
All public and charter schools receive equitable per-pupil funding and are governed by the State Department of Education, led by the Hawaii Board of Education. However, despite the apparent parity, some Hawaii public schools in certain areas often outshine others.
On the other hand, due to their flexible nature and fewer government restrictions, private schools can often more easily respond to the individual needs of students and offer unique educational programs and missions. Private school is much more expensive, but many parents in Hawaii are willing to pay that price.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) – in Hawaii
April 3, 2021 | #Hawaii, #Tips, www.Hawaii.Bio, How to build a house, Modular house in Hawaii
As you walk the streets of Honolulu, Haleiwa, or almost any area of Hawaii, you may notice that some single-family homes are large, housing multiple people or families. Real estate in Hawaii is scary, so many people want to maximize their lots. Dreams of home offices, home gyms, rental income, a large family, parents moving, etc. can make a small home feel much larger.
And as more people look to maximize their lots in Hawaii, you may have heard of the term “ADU” or “accessory dwelling unit.” Building an ADU is a permitted way to make your home expansion dreams come true—as long as your site and building design meet certain requirements. Below, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about building an ADU in Hawaii.
What is an ADU in Hawaii?
Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, were introduced in Honolulu in 2015 as one possible solution to Hawaii’s housing shortage. An ADU is another residence or “dwelling unit” on a single-family property. It includes a fully equipped kitchen with oven, bathroom, sleeping area and at least one parking space. Elsewhere, ADUs are called mother-in-law apartments or granny apartments.
An ADU can be a completely separate building, an extension of the main home, or a conversion of an existing structure. This means that the landowner of a single-family lot could build a detached small home, convert a large barn into a home, or hide an existing portion of the home, such as a garage or den, to include a kitchen and bathroom, and then create an ADU. .
Here are the three main categories of ADUs in Hawaii:
- Indoor ADU: These are located inside the main home and are often built from converted spaces, such as enclosing a porch or garage, or converting one floor of the home.
- Attached ADU: These are connected to the main house but are brand new buildings.
- Freestanding ADU: This is a separate, self-contained structure. Many people will build a brand new home on the same lot as an ADU in Hawaii, or sometimes homeowners may convert large barns into ADUs.
What is an Ohana unit?
Not to be confused with an ADU, an Ohana unit is also a permitted second home on a single-family lot. As the name suggests, they are typically designed for family members who need a place for their parents, children, aunts, uncles or other multi-generational family members.
The main difference between an ADU and an Ohana unit is that Ohana units can only have a “wet bar” or dining area with a sink, refrigerator and stove, rather than a full oven. They can also be rented to a family member only, which is agreed upon by signing a limited agreement. Ohana apartments were first introduced to Oahu around the late 1980s, and many single-family homes in Hawaii are designed for multi-generational living—some legal, some not.
Why should I build an ADU on my property?
There are many benefits to building an ADU in Hawaii, including the following:
- Rental income. Earn extra income by renting out your ADU. This income can subsidize your monthly mortgage payment. Please note that ADUs must be rented for six months or more and cannot be legally used as a vacation rental or Airbnb—unless you obtain a separate conditional use permit.
- Diversity of neighbors. If you rent, you can allow some people to live in your area who otherwise wouldn’t. Having different income levels and people from different backgrounds can create a more affluent ‘ohana area.
- Appreciation. Building an ADU increases the value of your property. Talk to your real estate agent about the potential increase in your property value if you build an ADU.
- Infrastructure. ADUs utilize existing infrastructure such as water, electricity and waste management systems, avoiding the cost of establishing and expanding utilities in undeveloped areas.
- Preservation of the country’s county. Additions to single-family homes help prevent underdeveloped rural areas from turning into urban areas with multifamily sprawl. For example, Kakaako is an urban area with a minimum number of single-family homes, or ADUS. However, Oahu’s North Shore is considered a village or rural area and therefore homeowners may want to consider building an ADU.
- Aging in place. You may not always need to live in a three-bedroom house on your property, and it may even become too large to maintain. As you get older, you might consider moving into a smaller ADU and renting out the larger house on the lot.
- Sustainable living. Because ADUs are required to be smaller, they often produce less water. Some homeowners choose to build ADUs with solar panels, efficient appliances and other sustainability features.
What are the rules for ADUs in Hawaii?
The Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) of the City and County of Honolulu issues permits for ADUs and is thus responsible for regulating them on the island of Oahu. To legally build one of these free houses, you need to follow eight basic rules:
- Your lot must be zoned one of the following: R-3.5, R-5, R-7.5, R-10, R-20, Country District.
- Your lot must be at least 3,500 square feet. For lots ranging from 3,500 to 4,999 square feet, a 400-square-foot ADU can be built. For lots of 5,000 square feet or larger, an 800 square foot ADU can be built.
- Currently, you should have one full-fledged dwelling or house on your site. An ADU cannot be built on lots that already have duplexes, an apartment building, or more than one home.
- Your property may not be landlocked, which means it must at least be connected to the road via a driveway. This driveway may also be an easement across the adjacent property.
- You must have room for one more parking space in the car park lot. This requirement is waived if your site is within one-half mile of a planned Honolulu Transit Rail station.
- The landowner or a member of the landowner’s family must reside on the property—either in the main home or in the ADU—after the ADU is completed. A non-residential building can legally be rented to non-family members.
- You do not have any covenant restrictions on your lot that prohibit ADUs. For example, if you live in a master-planned community like Ewa Beach, you may be part of a homeowners association (HOA) that prohibits the construction of ADUs. Check before applying for an ADU permit.
- Write down your agreement once the ADU is completed. Make your ADU a completely legal title with either the Bureau of Transportation or the Hawaii State Land Court. This recording also ensures that the ADU cannot be sold separately or that the lot cannot be split into two separate properties. An ADU is a legal addition to the main building on a property.
How do ADUs help with affordable housing in Hawaii?
Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, are playing an innovative role in offering more housing in Hawaii at a reasonable price and offsetting the cost of the main dwelling unit. Land in the Hawaiian Islands is limited and there is a housing shortage in the state, especially in the city of Honolulu. A state report that measured housing demand in Hawaii from 2015 to 2025 estimated that about 65,000 more housing units would be needed between 2015 and 2025. In addition to limited housing, the cost of living in Hawaii is higher than most places. in the US, ADUs offer one option that can help make living in paradise possible.
ADUs offer one option that can help make living in paradise possible, as they often offer additional rental inventory for renters or additional income for homeowners. In addition, ADUs typically have lower rents than rental units in condominium buildings, and the State of Hawaii hopes they can continue to play a larger role in solving Hawaii’s housing shortage.
Where can I find more information about building an ADU in Hawaii?
ADUs in Hawaii are a fairly new option for landowners, and they create a tempting option for additional rental income. For more information, contact a trusted Hawaii contractor or the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting .
“FAQ”
Please email us contact@hawaii.bio if you cannot find the answer to your question.Do
I need a passport to come to Hawaii?
If you are traveling from outside the US (and are not a US citizen), yes. Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States, so if you are a US citizen, a passport is not required. If you are planning to take a cruise to Hawaii, there may be separate requirements
Are there any all-inclusive resorts in Hawaii?
No. Some resorts may include activities and dinner in their room/amenity package, but hotels in Hawaii do not offer all-inclusive packages like those in Mexico or the Caribbean. Looking for all-inclusive holiday packages? Visit our Travel & Leisure section and book online to save!
I took a small lava rock from the Big Island as a souvenir, but I heard it was bad luck. Can I return it?
Yes you can. Hawaiian legend has it that Pele, the goddess of fire, becomes enraged when stone or sand is taken from the Big Island, her aina (land), and sends misfortune upon the one who took it. You can return rocks and sand to: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park PO Box 52 Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-0052
Can I bring pets to Hawaii?
Yes. However, Hawaii is rabies-free and requires all cats, dogs and other carnivores entering the state to be tested for rabies. State law exempts service dogs for the disabled. For more information on the import status of other animals, visit the Hawaii State Division of Plant Quarantine website or contact them at (808) 832-0566
Where is Pearl Harbor—and how can I visit the site of the December 7, 1941 Imperial Japanese Navy attack on the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor?
Pearl Harbor is located on the island of Oahu, west of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Pearl Harbor is home to the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri (among other significant historical sites).
Can I take fresh fruits or vegetables with me to the islands?
Maybe. All visitors to Hawaii must fill out a form indicating any fresh food or other living organisms they have. If agricultural inspectors determine that your items cannot be brought into the state, they will confiscate them at the airport. Some plants require a permit before they can be brought into Hawaii. Visit the Hawaii State Division of Plant Quarantine website for a complete list, or you can contact them at (808) 832-0566
Can I take Hawaii-grown produce, such as pineapples, home with me?
Certain fruits, vegetables and flowers are allowed for export, but they must be approved for agriculture. You can find packaged pineapples and other products at retail stores in Hawaii. You CANNOT pick fruits or flowers in Hawaii and take them home. All luggage is scanned for the presence of exported agricultural products.
Are people greeted with leis when arriving in Hawaii?
Yes! A traditional island-style lei greeting at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport can be done for yourself or someone you know who is traveling to Hawaii.
Can you send me information about Hawaii?
Hawaii.bio does not mail brochures, booklets, maps, postcards or prospectuses. You can find all the information you need about Hawaii and travel to Hawaii on our website www.Hawaii.bio www.Hawaii.com.co
What time zone is Hawaii in?
Hawaii Standard Time (GMT-10). We do not observe Daylight Saving Time in the US.
What’s the weather like in Hawaii? Is there a monsoon season?
They say that Hawaii has warm weather all year round, and this is mostly true. Temperatures tend to remain warm for most of the year. However, it rains occasionally throughout the year. November through March are typically the wettest months in Hawaii.
When are humpback whales in Hawaii?
Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii in mid-November and remain on the islands until mid-March.
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