Hawaii Tax Sale Investing Guide — Buy the deed — but the owner gets a window

Q: How do I start tax sale investing in Hawaii?

Learn the system first: Hawaii sells redeemable tax deeds under 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). Register with the county or its auction platform before the sale, post any required deposit, research each parcel in the property appraiser and clerk records, and set your max number before bidding.

Investing guides / Hawaii

Hawaii tax sale investing: buy the deed — but the owner gets a window

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).

How it works in Hawaii

In Hawaii you buy a redeemable deed: you take the property at the sale, but the former owner can redeem it during the statutory window by paying you the statutory penalty.

Interest / penalty: 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).

When sales happen: 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

Where sales run: 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

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)

The investor's edge

Your edge is penalty math: model both outcomes — redemption (you earn the penalty) and keeping the property (you earn the equity) — and only bid where both outcomes work.

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.

Never check Hawaii county lists by hand again

LienToDeed watches the published lists and texts you the moment new Hawaii properties are listed — scored, with your max number. Free calendar and laws for every state.

Get Hawaii alerts

Full legal reference: Hawaii tax sale laws. Verified 2026-10-30 against the sources on that page. Educational only, not investment advice.