Hawaii
Hawaii's tax sale system is run entirely by the four counties — Honolulu, Maui, Hawai'i, and Kaua'i each hold their own auction under their own county code, though all trace back to the same state redemption rule. Bidding is oral and ascending at an in-person auction, with the minimum 'upset' price set to the back taxes and costs owed; the redemption rate for owners who want to buy back is 12% per year, for one year after the sale. There's a real access friction for mainland investors: absentee or mail bidding generally isn't allowed, so you either attend in person or send a notarized representative. Given how high Hawaii property values run, upset-price auctions can produce large surpluses over the tax debt — the state already routes any surplus back to the former owner after other liens are paid, well ahead of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that forced many other states to add that protection.
Quick answers
Is Hawaii a tax lien or tax deed state?+
Hawaii is a redeemable tax deed (county-administered) state.
What's the interest rate or penalty in Hawaii?+
In Hawaii, the rate is: 12% per year to redeem.
How long is the redemption period in Hawaii?+
The redemption period in Hawaii is 1 year (extended if the deed goes unrecorded past 60 days).
Not sure how Hawaii's system compares to a state you already know? Read Tax Lien vs. Tax Deed: What's the Difference? for the full breakdown.
Winning bid comes in over the tax debt owed? Read What Happens to Surplus Funds After a Tax Sale? for how the claim process works and the recovery-agent scam to watch for.
Planning to resell or finance a Hawaii tax deed? Read You Won a Tax Deed. Why Can't You Sell It Yet? before you assume the deed alone is enough.
This page is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rates and redemption periods are set by state statute and can change by county or legislative session — always confirm against the county's own auction notice before bidding.