Do you dream of owning a piece of paradise in Hawaii? I can help you turn that dream into reality with my years of experience, knowledge, and resources in the Hawaii real estate market. I’ll guide you in finding VA‑approved properties and connect you to reputable VA-approved lenders so you can leverage your VA entitlement. Reach out today and let’s create a strategy tailored to your goals (808) 953‑7538.
How to Buy a Home in Hawaii
If you qualify for a VA-backed purchase loan, you can use the loan to:
- Buy a single-family home, up to 4 units (as long as you live in one unit as your primary residence).
- Buy a condo or townhome in a VA-approved complex.
- Buy a home and improve it.
- Buy a new home or lot (some restrictions apply). DO NOT visit new construction developments or tour model homes without your agent present. Most developers will cover your agent representation compensation, but they will not honor it if your agent is not with you at the initial visit. In that situation, you would need to pay out of pocket for agent representation or work directly with the developer’s representative, who represents the developer’s best interests.
- Build a new home.
- Make changes or add new features (such as solar power) to make your home more energy-efficient.
Basic Housing Allowance BAH Rate Lookup
Overseas Housing Allowance OHA Rate Lookup
Key rules and benefits for a VA-backed loan:
- The home must be your primary residence for one year.
- You must occupy within a reasonable time after closing, usually within 60 days.
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI) or mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) required.
- The VA home loan is a lifetime benefit; entitlement can be restored and reused for future purchases.
- No down payment required.
- Competitively low interest rates.
- Limited closing costs.
- VA funding fee may be financed or waived for qualifying disabled Veterans.
The VA Loan program uses a 41% Debt‑to‑Income (DTI) ratio as a benchmark, not a hard limit. This means lenders look at 41% as a guideline when evaluating a borrower’s ability to repay, but it does not automatically disqualify someone if they exceed it.
Increase Your Buying Power With Down Payment Assistance Programs
Borrowing From Your Thrift Savings Plan Loan (TSP)
Purchase Loan With No Down Payment
Eligibility For VA Home Loan Programs
Request a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
VA Home Loan Entitlement And Limits
VA Funding Fee And Loan Closing Costs
Preparing to Move to Hawaii
Your Arrival Check‑In is a key step in completing your PCS to Hawaii. Once you land on Oahu, you’ll follow the reporting instructions provided by your gaining command and connect with your sponsor for guidance. They’ll help you navigate base access, initial appointments, and unit‑specific check‑in requirements. Completing your arrival check‑in promptly ensures your pay, housing, and entitlements—such as TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance)—are processed without delay, helping you settle into your new duty station smoothly and confidently.
Program and Services Military Installations Hawaii
State of Hawaii Divisions of the Department of Defense
Understand Your PCS Military Entitlements
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District
Shipping Services to Hawaii
International Auto Logistics PCSmyPOV
Matson Shipping Car, Boat, or RV to Hawaii
Shipping Belongings to Hawaii
Traveling to and from Foreign Countries
Traveling and Shipping to Hawaii
Shipping Firearms to Hawaii
Moving to Hawaii with Firearms
Shipping Pets to Hawaii & Pet Resources
Pets in Boarding/Sitting Resources in Hawaii
24 Hours Veterinary Emergency and Referral Center (VERC)
24 Hours Feather & Fur Animal Hospital
PetVet Animal Hospital| Honolulu Veterinarians
Aiea Veterinarian Aloha Affordable Veterinary Services
Animal House Veterinary Center
Temporary Military Lodging
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)
Hawaii Temporary Military Housing Barracks/Single Service Member Housing
Hawaii Temporary Military Housing Lodging/Billeting
Hawaii Temporary Military Housing Hale Koa
Hawaii Temporary Military Hosung Bellows Air Force Station
Military Loan Closet Programs
Navy and Air Force Loan Closet Furnishings
Naval Station Pearl Harbor Loan Closet
Military Housing
Navy Ohana Military Community Housing HUNT
Marines Ohana Military Community Housing HUNT
Army Ohana Military Community Housing HUNT
Health & Wellness
Hospital Medical Treatment Facilities
Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA Clinic
Spark M. Matsunaga Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
File for Disability Compensation with VA Form 21-526EZ
Disability Compensation For PTSD
Dental Program (United Concordia) TRICARE
Naval Health Clinic Hawaii Dental TRICARE
Hawaii Child Care & Resources
Aloha Diaper Bank Diaper Assistance for Hawai‘i Families
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Pre-Application
People Attentive To Children Hawaii (PATCH)
USAG Hawaii Child Care Programs & Centers
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Child Development Centers
Early Childhood Resources City and County of Honolulu
Travel & Moving Claims
Veterans Affairs File and Manage Travel Reimbursement Claims
Defense Travel Management Office
Welcome to Hawaii!
Welcome To Hawaii! Newcomer's Guide
Emergency Preparedness
Hawaii Emergency Preparedness Handbook
City and County of Honolulu Residents - Sign Up
Hawai‘i Boater’s Hurricane and Tsunami Safety Manual
Sea Level Rise and Coastal Viewer
Transportation Services & Map Search
Public Transportation TheBus Transit Map
Skyline Oahu Public Transportation Go Hawaii
Civilian Rental Property Search
Automated Housing Referral Network Search (AHRN)
Honolulu Board of Realtors Rental Property Search
Realtor.com Rental Property Search
Apartments.com Rental Property Search
Tenant Resources
First month’s rent, security deposit, and pet deposit (if applicable):
- Landlords may collect a security deposit not exceeding one month’s rent, along with an additional pet deposit not exceeding one month's rent.
2024 Handbook For the Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Code
Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 521
Hawaii Renters Resource Updated Leasetrack Renters Insurance (HUNT)
Hawaii Renters Resource Insurance PDF (HUNT)
Military Terminating a Lease Due to Deployment or PCS (SCRA)
Utility Services
Hawaiian Telcom High-Speed Fioptics Fiber Internet Residential
Spectrum Home and Cable Internet Services
Buying a Home in Hawaii
Oʻahu real estate has shown strong long‑term growth, with median home prices increasing an average of approximately 5% per year over the past decade, according to the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®:
HBR’s historical data shows:
- Some years saw double‑digit growth (e.g., +11.6% in 2022).
- Some years were flat or slightly negative (e.g., 2023).
- Over 10 years, the trend smooths out to mid‑single‑digit annual appreciation.
Oahu Historical Data Annual Residential Resales for Oahu
Request a VA Home Loan Certificate of Eligibility
VA Home Loan Entitlement and Limits
Hale Kamaʻaina Mortgage Program HHFDC
Hawaii Non-Profit HHOC Mortgage Broker
VA Funding Fee And Loan Closing Costs
Property Owner Resource
Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL)
Video Explanation of Property Tax Exemption Savings
About Form 1098 Mortgage Interest Statement IRS
Frequently Asked Questions Department of Planning and Permitting
Selling Resources
Hawaii Tax Filings with HARPTA
Learn About 1031 Exchanges First American Exchange Company
Median Home Prices on O‘ahu Hit New High
Renting Your Home Resources
Handbook For the Hawaii Residential Landlord-Tenant Code
Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 521
Residential Landlord-Tenant Code - DCCA Hawaii
Become a Hawaii Public Housing Authority Section 8 Landlord
General Instructions for Filing the General Excise/Use Tax Returns (GET)
Short-Term Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT)
Rental Collection Agreement Department of Taxation
Government Issued Identification Resources
DoD Common Access ID Card Reference Center
Get A Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Hawaii Driver's License Procedures Department of Customer Services
Motorcycle or Moped Driver's License Information
Hawaii State ID Department of Customer Services
U.S. Passport Service Department of Customer Services
Checking Your Passport Application Status
Registrations & Renewals
State of Hawaii Office of Elections Online Voter Registration
Motor Vehicle Registration Department of Customer Services
Bicycle Registration Department of Customer Services
Trailer Registration Department of Customer Services
Overseas
Overseas Living Featured Benefits and Resources
Living Overseas on Military Pay: What to Expect
Overseas Housing Allowance Rate Lookup
Defense Travel Overseas COLA Rate Lookup
Defense Finance and Accounting Service Military Pay Tables & Information
Official Government Websites
Programs & Services MilitaryINSTALLATIONS
Requirements to Join the U.S. military USAGov
Government Benefits and Financial AssistanceUSA.Gov
Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Thrift Savings Plan Calculators (TSP)
Veteran Support Services
Support & Services for Military Spouses
Locate military members USAGov
Retirement Services MilitaryINSTALLATIONS
Free Military Tax Service Software and Support
State of Hawaii Financial Assistance SNAP Application
Public Housing Agencies as HUD-VASH VA Homeless Programs
Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions (SOHHS)
Adult Education
Check Your Remaining Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
American Military University (AMU)
Children's Support Services
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division
Children with Special Health Needs Branch State of Hawaii DOH
Adult Mental Health Division State of Hawaii DOH
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division Family Guidance Centers
Youth Education & Program Services
Homeschool – Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Military Homeschooling Families
2026 School/Summer Program Guide
City and County Summer Fun Program
Junior Lifeguard | Honolulu Ocean Safety Department
Scouting Hawaii - Aloha Council
Hawaii State 4-H Program – A Program of UH Manoa Extension
New 4-H Military Program Coordinator – Hawaii State 4-H Program
Hawaii Wing Civil Air Patrol Civil Air Patrol
Young Marines - Building Leaders and Changing Lives
Island of O‘ahu – Youth Challenge Academy
Exchange Military Discount Tax Free Shopping
Military Burial & Cemeteries
VA Burial Benefits and Memorial
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific - National Cemetery Administration
Office of Veterans' Services and Veteran Cemeteries
Oahu Beaches, Parks, & Recreational
Hawaii State Parks, Camping, and Hiking Sites
City & County of Honolulu Parks, Camping, Pools, and Botanical Gardens
Oahu Golf & Country Clubs
City & County of Honolulu Golf Course Division
Oahu Recreational & Safety Certification Requirements
Hawaii's Official Hunter Education Card
Hawai‘i Mandatory Boater Education
Public Services
Honolulu Neighborhood Boards Commission Office
Junk a Vehicle Department of Customer Services
File Online Police Reports - Honolulu Police Department
Lost Pets Hawaiian Humane Society
Moving from Hawaii
Base clearance is a required step before departing Hawaii for your next duty station. Each installation—such as Schofield Barracks, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Fort Shafter, or MCBH Kaneohe Bay—has a clearance checklist that includes housing, transportation, medical, finance, and unit sign‑offs. Completing base clearance ensures your records are updated, your TLA and travel entitlements are processed correctly, and you are officially released from your Hawaii command.
Reunion & Reintegration Checklist
Hawaii Moving with Your Pet Off-Island
SCRA, The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
Allowances Defense Travel Management Office
International Auto Logistics (IAL)
Bulky Item Pick Up Appointment City and County of Honolulu
Waste Drop-off Locations City and County of Honolulu
Donation Items Most Donation Centers WILL NOT Accept
- Mattresses
- Box springs
- Broken or heavily worn furniture
- Large appliances
- TVs & electronics
- Hazardous items
Navy and Air Force Loan Closet Furnishings
Naval Station Pearl Harbor Loan Closet
Honolulu Adult Rehabilitation Center
Savers Clothing Donation Center
Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii
What You Need to Donate a Car in Hawaii
Most charities require:
- Vehicle title (must be signed)
- Keys (if available)
- Photo ID
- Lien release (if applicable)
If you lost the title, many charities can help you navigate the process of requesting a duplicate title. The IRS only allows deductions if the vehicle is donated to a qualified charitable organization. You can typically deduct either the sale price the charity receives for the car or the fair market value if the charity keeps the vehicle for program use. IRS rules apply.
Charity Vehicle Donations for America's Disabled Veterans
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Vehicle Donation Program
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This information is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be considered tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax laws and regulations change frequently, and individual circumstances vary. Before making any decisions, consult with a qualified tax professional, attorney, or financial advisor.