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Hawaii tax sales: the season preview

Quick answerHawaii sells redeemable tax deeds for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn 12% per year — interest paid by the redeeming taxpayer to the purchaser on redemption (HRS §231-67); this is redemption interest on a deed purchase, not a lien-certificate rate. Redemption: 1 year after the sale to redeem from the purchaser (or 1 year from recording if the deed is not recorded within 60 days after sale), paying purchase price plus costs and 12%/yr interest (HRS §231-67). Sale may occur once the tax lien has existed for 3 years (HRS §231-63). Sales: Each of the four counties holds its own sale, typically annually in spring — e.g. Honolulu and Maui sales in May, Hawaii County sales in January and June in some years Governing law: Hawaii Revised Statutes §§ 231-62 to 231-67 (sale §231-63; deed and redemption §231-67), implemented by county codes/ordinances (e.g. Maui County Code 3.48.250; Revised Ordinances of Honolulu §§ 8-5.1 to 8-5.9).

What's actually for sale

Hawaii sells redeemable tax deeds. The deed vests at sale but is defeasible for 1 year — do not improve the property during redemption, as improvement costs are not reimbursed on redemption. Counties sell only in person, the upset (minimum) price covers taxes, penalty, interest and costs, and each county's dates and parcel lists must be checked separately.

The rate that decides your return

12% per year — interest paid by the redeeming taxpayer to the purchaser on redemption (HRS §231-67); this is redemption interest on a deed purchase, not a lien-certificate rate

The clock you're investing against

Sale schedule: Each of the four counties holds its own sale, typically annually in spring — e.g. Honolulu and Maui sales in May, Hawaii County sales in January and June in some years

Redemption: 1 year after the sale to redeem from the purchaser (or 1 year from recording if the deed is not recorded within 60 days after sale), paying purchase price plus costs and 12%/yr interest (HRS §231-67). Sale may occur once the tax lien has existed for 3 years (HRS §231-63).

Where the sales happen

Mostly in-person county auctions (e.g. Honolulu at Mission Memorial Auditorium, Maui at Kihei Community Center), County finance / real property tax division pages; no online bidding for county tax sales verified. Lists post on the county's schedule, change as owners redeem, and registration typically closes before sale day — the investors who see the list first set the market.

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Deep dives: Hawaii laws · Hawaii investing guide · Hawaii sale calendar. Law verified 2026-10-30.