When are Hawai‘i County property taxes due?

Hawai‘i County real property taxes are due twice per year, on August 20 and February 20.

Who sets property tax rates on the Big Island?

Property tax rates are set by the County of Hawai‘i, not by the State of Hawai‘i.

How is property tax calculated in Hawai‘i County?

Property tax is calculated by subtracting exemptions from assessed value, dividing by 1,000, and multiplying by the applicable tax rate.

What is the homeowner exemption?

The homeowner exemption reduces assessed value for owner-occupied primary residences used for more than 200 days per year.

Can property owners appeal their assessed value?

Yes. Property owners may appeal their assessed value if they believe it is inaccurate.

Do tax rates vary by property type?

Yes. Hawai‘i County applies different tax rates based on property classification.

Are property tax exemptions automatic?

No. Most exemptions require a formal application and supporting documentation.

Where can owners find official property tax forms and deadlines?

Official forms and deadlines are published by the County of Hawai‘i Real Property Tax Office.

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Home » The latest Hawaii law, tax, zoning and rule changes

The latest Hawaii law, tax, zoning and rule changes

Hawaii County Real Property Tax Guide (2025) What Big Island Homeowners Need to Know Before August 20

By Kai Ioh and KE TEAM HawaiiKai Ioh is a luxury real estate advisor based in Kona, Hawai‘i, specializing in resort and ultra-high-net-worth markets across the Big Island. Key Takeaways August 20 is a required real property ta...

January 7, 2026

Big Island ADU Laws 2024: What Hawaiʻi County and State Rules Now Allow

By Emil Knysh and Kai IohKai and Emil are luxury real estate advisors based in Kona, Hawai‘i, specializing in resort and ultra-high-net-worth markets across the Big Island. Executive Summary This page explains how 2024 updates to Ha...

January 6, 2026

Hawai‘i County Long-Term Rental Tax Class Explained: What Big Island Property Owners Need to Know

By Kai Ioh | Nov 2025 Executive Summary This page explains Hawai‘i County’s new Long-Term Rental (LTR) property tax classification for Big Island homes. It is relevant for property owners, investors, and landlords renting h...

January 1, 2026

Maui’s Bill 9 Explained: What Hawaii’s New Vacation Rental Law Means for the Big Island and Beyond

Kai Ioh | December 2025 Maui County just took a decisive step that every Hawaii property owner should be paying attention to. Earlier this month, Mayor Richard Bissen signed Bill 9 into law, following final approval by the Maui County Cou...

December 18, 2025

New Big Island STVR Law (Bill 47): What Homeowners Need to Know

Kai and Emil | Updated Dec 21, 2025 Hawaii County has taken a decisive step in reshaping the rules for short-term vacation rentals (STVRs). With Bill 47 signed into law on June 23, 2025, homeowners across the Big Island need to prepare for a...

December 10, 2025

Hawaii Insurance Crisis: September 2025 Update

By Kai Ioh | September 2025 September Update: Programs Making a Difference On September 9, Sue Savio, one of Hawaii’s most respected insurance experts, shared something we haven’t heard often during this crisis: real optimism. According...

September 16, 2025

Hawaii Condo Insurance Crisis: New Law Brings Relief—But Not a Miracle Cure

By Kai Ioh | July 2025 Not Our First Rodeo: An Ongoing Crisis If you’ve followed my updates—starting in August 2024 and again in early 2025—you know Hawaii’s condo insurance crisis didn’t arrive overnight. Since last summer, we�...

July 19, 2025

What NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy Changes Mean for Big Island Home Sellers

Discretion, strategy, and flexibility are vital components of how homes should be marketed. This is especially true for luxury properties. So when industry-wide policies restrict how sellers can bring their homes to the market, it raises a key...

April 3, 2025

Understanding the Real Estate Practice Changes Effective August 17th, 2024

On March 15, 2024, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reached a settlement agreement with plaintiffs that could potentially end ongoing litigation regarding broker commissions. The $418M antitrust settlement took effect on August 17, ...

August 16, 2024

Hawaii’s SB2919: What It Means for Vacation Rentals in Hawaii County

Recently, Governor Josh Green signed SB2919 into law, a significant move that impacts how vacation rentals are regulated across the state. What is SB2919? SB2919 is a new law that gives individual counties in Hawaii the authority to regul...

June 21, 2024