Hawaii veterans benefits

Real property owned and occupied as a home by a veteran who is totally disabled due to injuries received while on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces is exempted from all real property taxes other than the county minimum tax and special assessments. The state statute (HRS 246-29) requires the veteran be 'totally disabled' from service-incurred injuries; it does not state a numeric VA percentage on its face, but in practice this means a 100% service-connected total disability. The exemption is administered by each of the four counties (Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai), each with its own forms/deadlines, and continues for the unremarried surviving spouse. Honolulu County requires Form E-8-10.5 plus a physician's certificate of disability, filed by June 30 (1st payment) or Dec 31 (2nd payment). A minimum tax still applies (commonly cited as $150 at the county level, but the exact minimum is set by each county).

Military retired pay is fully exempt from Hawaii state income tax. Hawaii fully exempts employer-funded pension income, which includes military retirement pay reported on a 1099-R. The exemption applies to all branches and regardless of age. Given Hawaii's high marginal income tax rates (up to 11%), this is a substantial benefit.

VA disability compensation is not included in Hawaii taxable income (consistent with federal treatment). Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP/RCSBP/RSFPP) annuities and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) are also not taxed by Hawaii. Hawaii also allows qualifying reserve/National Guard members to exclude a set amount of drill pay (the official Army benefits library cited an $8,082 exclusion for the 2024 tax year; the current-year figure indexes annually and was not separately confirmed for 2026).

The Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) provides up to 100% tuition reimbursement at public community colleges and 50% at public universities for eligible Hawaii-resident Guard members (ranks E-9 and below, satisfactory performance, enrolled in a degree program). Separately, nonresident veterans and service members stationed in Hawaii may qualify for the in-state resident tuition rate at University of Hawaii system schools. Authority cited: HRS/HAR 10-121-45.

Hawaii grants veterans preference in state civil service hiring (Civil Service Law, HRS Chapter 76). State and county employees who are members of the reserve components or National Guard receive 15 days of military leave with pay per calendar year for military duty (HRS 78-16-5 / related provisions), with an additional 15 days available from the following year if needed. Federal 5-point or 10-point hiring preference also applies for federal jobs depending on service period and disability. The older HRS 76-72 and 76-74 preference sections were repealed and replaced.

A 100% service-connected disabled veteran who is a Hawaii resident with an honorable discharge receives a partial exemption from state vehicle registration and weight tax on one passenger vehicle. The official Army benefits library cites a $46 exemption amount for one vehicle. State statute (HRS 249-6) also addresses tax exemption for specially adapted/VA-subsidized passenger vehicles owned by totally disabled veterans. The $46 figure comes from the official .mil benefits library; the exact current state fee schedule was not independently confirmed against tax.hawaii.gov.

Hawaii offers a set of distinctive military/veteran license plate designs (including Veteran, Combat Veteran, Purple Heart, POW, Pearl Harbor Survivor, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and Gold Star Family) at standard plate costs. A 'Veteran' designation is also available on Hawaii driver's licenses and state ID cards for those discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

The Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services (OVS), under the Department of Defense, is the principal state office for veteran policy and programs. It provides free advocacy and assistance helping veterans, dependents, and survivors prepare and pursue VA claims and apply for federal, state, and local benefits, and may receive, investigate, and resolve complaints on a veteran's behalf. Located at 459 Patterson Road, Honolulu; (808) 433-0420; ovs@hawaii.gov.

Qualified veterans (including U.S. war allies) and their dependents may be buried in the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe (Oahu) or at county veterans cemeteries on Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Benefits include gravesite, marker, grave liner, and perpetual care. Eligibility mirrors VA National Cemetery rules (honorable discharge, qualifying active duty, or 20+ years of reserve service).

Hawaii operates two state veterans homes. The Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo (approx. 95 beds) provides skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, geriatric mental health, and Alzheimer's/dementia care. The Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home in Kapolei, Oahu (approx. 120 beds) is the state's largest post-acute care and rehabilitation facility. Eligibility generally requires: honorable discharge, VA-eligible veteran status, age 55+ (under-55 admitted case-by-case), documented need for skilled care, Hawaii residency (at least one year before applying and residency before entering service for Hilo), and ability to pay the resident portion of costs.