Property Taxes in Kalihi: What to Expect in 2026
If you're buying a home in Kalihi, understanding Honolulu's property tax system is essential for budgeting. Kalihi offers some of the most affordable home prices in urban Honolulu, and the property tax structure in Hawaii is among the lowest in the nation — but there are important details every buyer should know.
How Honolulu Property Taxes Work
All properties in Kalihi fall under the City & County of Honolulu tax jurisdiction. Key points:
- Tax rates are set annually by the Honolulu City Council, typically in June for the upcoming fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
- Assessed values are determined by the City's Real Property Assessment Division based on market value as of October 1 of the prior year.
- Tax bills are mailed twice a year — due in August and February.
2025–2026 Residential Tax Rates
For the current fiscal year, Honolulu's residential property tax rates are:
- Residential (owner-occupied) — $3.50 per $1,000 of assessed value
- Residential A (non-owner-occupied, under $1M) — $4.50 per $1,000
- Residential A (non-owner-occupied, $1M+) — $10.50 per $1,000
- Hotel & Resort — $13.90 per $1,000
- Commercial — $12.40 per $1,000
What Kalihi Homeowners Typically Pay
Kalihi home prices generally range from $500,000 to $900,000 for single-family homes and $200,000 to $500,000 for condos. Here's what that means for annual property taxes:
- $400,000 condo (owner-occupied) — Approximately $1,400/year after home exemption
- $600,000 home (owner-occupied) — Approximately $2,100/year after home exemption
- $800,000 home (owner-occupied) — Approximately $2,800/year after home exemption
Home Exemption
Honolulu offers a generous home exemption for owner-occupants:
- Under 65 — $100,000 exemption (reduces your taxable assessed value by $100,000)
- 65–69 — $140,000 exemption
- 70–74 — $160,000 exemption
- 75–79 — $180,000 exemption
- 80+ — $200,000 exemption
You must file for the home exemption by September 30 for it to apply to the following tax year. This is done through the City's Real Property Assessment Division.
Tax Credits & Relief Programs
- Tax Credit for Home Owners — A credit of $300 is applied to owner-occupied residential properties.
- Circuit Breaker Tax Credit — For homeowners whose property taxes exceed a percentage of their gross household income (especially beneficial for seniors on fixed incomes).
- Exemptions for Disabled Veterans — Additional exemptions available for qualifying disabled veterans.
Tips for Kalihi Home Buyers
- File your home exemption immediately after closing — it can save you hundreds per year.
- Check the assessed value on realpropertyhonolulu.com to verify accuracy before purchasing.
- Budget for two payments per year — August and February.
- VA loan buyers — Property taxes are typically included in your monthly escrow payment through your lender.
Have questions about property taxes in Kalihi? Contact us today — we help buyers understand the full cost of homeownership in every Honolulu neighborhood.