Hawaii Tax Deed & Tax Lien Sales 2026

How tax sales work in Hawaii

Real property tax in Hawaii is administered by the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai), each under its own ordinance modeled on the older state statute in Chapter 246. When taxes stay unpaid for several years the county director of finance may sell the property at public auction after publishing notice and mailing it to the owner. The buyer receives a tax deed subject to a redemption right. In practice the counties rarely exercise this power; the City and County of Honolulu has held sales only every few years, and the neighbor island counties hold them even less often. Most delinquencies are resolved through payment plans, foreclosure by other lienholders or the county’s own collection actions rather than through public sales.

Redemption and interest

Under the statutory framework the former owner may redeem within one year after the sale by paying the purchase price plus interest at 12 percent per year, along with costs. The counties’ ordinances generally track this, but confirm the current period and rate for the specific county, since the county councils have authority to modify their tax collection procedures. If the property is redeemed the buyer recovers the purchase price and the interest. If it is not, the deed becomes absolute and the buyer may need a quiet title action before a title company will insure.

When and where sales happen

There is no schedule. A county announces a sale when it decides to hold one, typically with public notice in a local newspaper and on the county website several weeks in advance. Sales are held in person at a county office. Given how rare they are, the useful work is to know the rules before the announcement and to be able to move quickly.

What to check before you bid

Determine whether the parcel is fee simple or leasehold, and if leasehold, what the tax deed conveys. Check land use classification: much of the islands is agricultural or conservation district where building is restricted. Look for federal liens, homeowner association assessments and any Department of Hawaiian Home Lands interest. Confirm access, especially for parcels on private roads or in gated subdivisions. Budget for a full title search, as chains of title in Hawaii often run through trusts and land court registrations.

How AuctionScouts helps here

AuctionScouts watches the four county finance offices for tax sale notices and, when a sale is announced, loads the list, scores each parcel from 0 to 100, and flags recorded liens. The calendar shows the announced date so the rare opportunity is not missed.