Hawaii is primarily an rather than a high cash-flow market.
Significant changes are underway following Bill 9, which aims to phase out approximately 7,000 units in apartment-zoned districts (the "Minatoya List") by January 1, 2029 (West Maui) and 2031 (rest of the island). Focus only on hotel-zoned units or permitted Short-Term Rental Homes (STRH).
Hawaii has empowered counties to phase out short-term rentals (STRs) in residential areas to address housing scarcity. Zoning is now the primary factor in determining a property's legality.
Most new STRs outside of designated resort zones are prohibited. Ordinance 22-7 requires a 90-day minimum stay for non-resort properties unless they hold a legacy Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC).
New registration rules under Ordinance 25-50 take effect July 1, 2026 . All STRs (hosted and unhosted) must register with the county, with fees ranging from $250 to $500 annually.
Investors often seek properties where gross annual income is at least 10% of the purchase price (e.g., $100k gross for a $1M property).
Full-service management fees range from 25% for independent companies to 40–50% for resort "front desk" operations. 3. Taxation & Compliance Hawaii Rental Property Bookkeeping: Complete Guide (2026)
Typical condo fees range from $500 to $1,500/month and are rising 10–15% annually in older buildings.
