Hawaii — Veteran Benefits

Hawaii property taxes are county-administered. All programs require honorable discharge and owner-occupancy of primary residence. Eligibility language, exemption amounts, and minimum taxes differ by county.

Veterans who received a VA-subsidized specially adapted vehicle (VA Form 21-4502). - Benefit: Full exemption from Hawaii county vehicular taxes on that vehicle. - Authority: HRS § 249-6. - Action: Present VA award documentation to your county motor vehicle office.

- Nonresident service members stationed in Hawaii on military orders: no Hawaii income tax on military pay. - Military Spouse Residency Relief Act (MSRRA): spouses who maintain domicile in another sta

- **Full exemption.** Military retired pay from all branches is fully exempt from Hawaii state income tax for all retirees, regardless of age or amount. - SBP (Survivor Benefit Plan), RCSBP, and RSFPP

- **Fully exempt.** SBP, RCSBP, and RSFPP annuities paid to surviving spouses are not taxed by Hawaii. - DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) paid to eligible survivors is also fully tax-free.

- Social Security benefits: not taxed by Hawaii. - VA disability compensation: tax-free under federal law; applies in all states including Hawaii. - National Guard / Reserve drill pay: first **$8,636*

**Honolulu homeowner exemption (non-veteran-specific):** Owner-occupants of a principal residence receive a homeowner exemption of **$120,000** assessed value reduction (or **$160,000** for owners age 65 or older) on the annual tax bill. Veterans qualify like any homeowner. Other counties have their own homeowner exemption amounts. ⚠️ Verify current amounts for Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii County with respective RPAD offices.

**$46 state registration fee exemption (100% SC)** - Eligibility: Hawaii resident; honorably discharged; 100% service-connected disability VA rating. - Benefit: $46 state registration fee waived annually on one non-commercial vehicle. All other fees (county weight tax, highway beautification fee, county surcharges) remain due. - Process: Submit annually to OVS — provide current driver's license, current vehicle registration, and current VA decision letter verifying 100% SC disability. OVS issues an official exemption letter to present to the county motor vehicle office. - Contact: ovs@hawaii.gov | 808-433-0420 | fax 808-433-0385. - Authority: HRS § 249-31.5.

**Unavailable as a distinct DV plate** — Hawaii does not issue a dedicated "Disabled Veteran" specialty plate with parking privileges separate from the standard disability placard system. Veterans with mobility disabilities use the Hawaii Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) disability parking placard process (see Category 15).

Ten specialty plate designs are available at standard plate cost: 1. Veteran (any honorably discharged) 2. Combat Veteran 3. Combat Wounded (Purple Heart recipients) 4. Pearl Harbor Survivor 5. Former POW 6. World War II Veteran 7. Korea Veteran 8. Vietnam Veteran 9. Persian Gulf Veteran 10. Gold Star Family

**Honolulu TheBus — Disability Reduced Fare (HOLO Card)** - Eligibility: Individuals receiving VA disability benefits or SSDI, regardless of disability rating level. - Benefit: Reduced fare on TheBus bus system and Skyline rail system. - Application: Complete Disability Application Form at TheBus Pass Office in Kalihi. Bring government-issued photo ID. Permanent Disability Cards renew every 4 years. - Contact: thebus.org | 808-848-4500. - Authority: Honolulu Code § 15B-2.2.

**Hawaii Disability Parking Permit (DCAB)** - Administered by: Hawaii Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB). - Eligibility: Veterans with qualifying mobility disabilities. No veteran-specific VA rating threshold — a licensed healthcare provider must certify a qualifying mobility impairment. - Blue long-term placard: renewable at no cost. - Red temporary placard: $12 fee. - Special disabled license plates: approximately $5.50 to $6.25 depending on county. - Paid parking meter exemption: Standard blue/red placards do not automatically exempt from meter fees. A separate Disabled Paid Parking Exemption Permit (DPPEP) from DCAB is required for meter exemptions. - Contact: health.hawaii.gov/dcab. - Action: Obtain form from DCAB; present VA disability documentation and have a healthcare provider certify the qualifying mobility impairment.

**Veteran designation on Hawaii Driver's License, State ID, or Instruction Permit** - Available at no additional fee to veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. - Documents required: DD-214, NGB-22, discharge certificate, or VA verification letter. - Apply at county licensing office (Hawaii administers DLs at the county level). - County contacts: Hawaii County 808-961-2222; Honolulu 808-532-7730; Kauai 808-241-4242; Maui 808-270-7363. - No general driver's license fee waiver identified for veterans. ⚠️ Verify with county offices whether any fee waiver applies for totally disabled veterans.

**Federal CDL skills-test waiver (FMCSA)** - Hawaii participates in the federal FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver program. Qualified active-duty and recently discharged veterans who operated qualifying military CMVs for at least 2 years may have the CDL driving skills test waived. - The written knowledge test is still required. - Authority: 49 CFR Part 383; FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver program.

Available — see Category 16. All honorably discharged veterans may obtain the "Veteran" designation on their Hawaii driver's license or state ID at no extra cost.

**Active duty military and dependents stationed in Hawaii:** - Treated as Hawaii residents for hunting license purposes. - Resident hunting license: $10/year; Wildlife Conservation Stamp: $10 (automatically included with license); Game Bird Stamp: $10 (optional). - Nonresident rate without this benefit: $95/year. - Authority: DLNR hunting licensing rules; outdoor.hawaii.gov.

**Freshwater Game Fishing License fees:** - Residents (including active duty military and dependents stationed in Hawaii): **$6/year**. - Non-residents: **$26/year**. - Minors (9–15): $3. - Seniors (65+): Free.

**Nonresident Recreational Marine Fishing License (NRMFL):** - Active duty U.S. military, their spouses, and minor children stationed in Hawaii: **exempt** from NRMFL (free). - Hawaii residents (including qualifying military treated as residents): no NRMFL required for saltwater fishing. - Veterans (non-active-duty, resident): no NRMFL required as residents. - Veterans (non-active-duty, nonresident): must purchase NRMFL; no veteran discount identified. - Purchase: fishing.hawaii.gov. - Authority: DLNR, Division of Aquatic Resources.

Hawaii State Parks charge no general entrance fee at most state park facilities, so no separate veteran fee waiver is needed for day use.

Hawaii State Parks camping fees: approximately $12/night (resident rate) to $18/night (non-resident rate) for tent sites. Active duty military are entitled to resident camping rates.

The following groups qualify for resident tuition at University of Hawaii system campuses: - Active duty service members stationed in Hawaii on military orders. - Spouses and dependents of active duty stationed in Hawaii. - Veterans using VA educational benefits (Post-9/11 GI Bill, Ch. 30, Ch. 31, Ch. 33) who were authorized dependents of active-duty military while attending UH. - Fry Scholarship recipients. - Veterans' Readiness and Employment (VR&E / Ch. 31) participants. - Hawaii National Guard members (for STAP purposes). - Authority: UH Board of Regents policy; various federal statutes (Colmery Act / Forever GI Bill). - Contact: UH veterans services offices at each campus; hawaii.edu/offices/student-affairs/veterans-military-connected.

**UH Dependent Tuition Waiver for children of 100% SC veterans (HRS Ch. 304A)** - Eligibility: Dependent child under age 24 (including adopted child or stepchild who has been the veteran's dependent for at least 5 years before application) of a veteran with a 100% SC disability rating for compensation, or 100% SC due to physical or psychological injuries on duty. Also covers dependents of National Guard members and Purple Heart recipients killed in action. - Benefit: Tuition waived at any University of Hawaii campus or community college for a qualified student who demonstrates financial need. - Authority: HRS Ch. 304A. - Action: Apply through UH Financial Aid office; submit VA disability rating documentation and dependency documentation. - ⚠️ Verify: Whether TDIU is accepted as equivalent to 100% for this waiver; current financial need threshold amounts.

**Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3)** - Hawaii is a member state. - Benefit: Facilitates enrollment, grade and transcript transfer, and graduation credit flexibility for K-12 military-connected children during PCS transitions. - Contact: Hawaii DOE Military Families Office, 808-307-3900; mic3.net. - Authority: HRS (MIC3 implementing legislation).

No Hawaii-specific tuition waiver exclusively for military spouses was identified. Spouses of active duty stationed in Hawaii qualify for resident tuition at UH campuses (see Category 28). Federal MyCAA scholarship applies for eligible spouses (active duty E1-E5, W1-W2, O1-O2).

**Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (STAP)** - Eligibility: Hawaii resident serving in Hawaii Army or Air National Guard; satisfactory performance; enlisted (E1–E9), warrant officer (W1–W5), or commissioned officer (O1–O3 and below); enrolled in a bachelor's degree-producing program; ETS date after last day of class; must qualify as a UH resident. - Benefit: Up to **100% of tuition** at a University of Hawaii community college; up to **50% of tuition** at a four-year UH campus. Paid as reimbursement after successful class completion with a C- grade or higher. - Subject to annual funding availability. - Application: dod.hawaii.gov/hiarng; HIARNG Education/Incentives Office, 808-672-1019. - Authority: Hawaii DOD / HIARNG enabling legislation.

See Category 30. Hawaii participates in the MIC3 compact and operates the Purple Star Norbert Hawaii Award program.

**Kupono Diploma Program (HI-specific)** - Eligibility: Veterans of WWII, Korean War, or Vietnam era who left high school early to serve. - Benefit: Honorary high school diploma awarded at no cost. - Contact: Hawaii Dept. of Education through OVS referral.

**Hawaii State Civil Service (HRS § 76-103)** - 5-point preference: Honorably discharged veterans with qualifying service. Added to civil service examination scores. - 10-point preference: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating; Purple Heart recipients. - 10-point derived preference: Unremarried surviving spouses, and mothers of disabled or deceased veterans, when the veteran cannot use the preference themselves. - Documentation: DD-214 and VA claim letter verifying SC disability percentage. - Applies to: Initial appointment and examination scoring in Hawaii state and county civil service systems.

**Veterans (non-spouse):** No blanket veteran professional license fee waiver was identified for Hawaii. ⚠️ Verify with Hawaii Dept. of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) / Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (PVL) whether any fee waiver applies for service-connected disabled veterans.

**Expedited / temporary licensing for military spouses (HRS § 436B-14.7)** - Eligibility: Military spouse who holds a current license in another state/territory with substantially equivalent requirements; no disciplinary history; military sponsor stationed in Hawaii for at least one year on active or reserve orders. - Benefit: Expedited processing of license by endorsement, license by reciprocity, or temporary license to perform licensed services while completing full Hawaii licensure. - Administered by: Hawaii DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. - Process: Submit Checklist for Military and Military Spouse Temporary Professional License (DCCA form); include out-of-state license, military orders, and relevant documentation. - Authority: HRS § 436B-14.7.

**Hawaii State Procurement — SDVOSB / VOSB preferences** - Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns (SDVOSBs) and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) are eligible to participate in the Hawaii Federal Surplus Personal Property Program administered by the State Procurement Office and in state procurement preference programs. - ⚠️ Verify exact current thresholds, license fee waiver amounts, and application process with Hawaii SPO at spo.hawaii.gov.

**ERS Military Service Credit (HRS § 88-132)** - State employees who rendered honorable active military service may purchase up to 4 years of ERS membership service credit. - Tier structure by hire date: - Members who joined ERS before June 18, 1996: **8 years** credited service → up to 2 years military credit; 20 years → up to 3 years; 25 years → up to 4 years. - Members who joined ERS after June 17, 1996: **10 years** credited service (minimum) → up to 2 years military credit; 20 years → up to 3 years; 25 years → up to 4 years. - Cost: Actuarially calculated (effective July 1, 2020); employee pays the actuarial cost. - Contact: Hawaii Employees' Retirement System, ers.ehawaii.gov; 808-586-1735.

**Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) — Catholic Charities Hawai'i** - Federally funded program providing rapid re-housing assistance, security deposits, utility arrears, case management, and benefits navigation for veterans and veteran families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. - Eligibility: Veteran (or family headed by a veteran); household income at or below 80% Area Median Income; homeless or at imminent risk. - Contact: catholiccharitieshawaii.org/ssvf; National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).

**SSVF utility assistance:** SSVF grantees (Catholic Charities Hawai'i) may provide temporary utility assistance as part of rapid re-housing or homelessness-prevention services (see Category 41).

**Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, Hilo (Hawaii County — Big Island)** - Only state-operated veterans nursing facility in Hawaii. 95 private and semi-private beds. - Services: Skilled nursing, rehabilitation, long-term care, hospice, geriatric mental health, Alzheimer's/dementia care, adult day care, respite care. - Eligibility: Require skilled or long-term nursing care; age 55 or older (under 55 reviewed case-by-case); honorable discharge; Hawaii resident prior to military service OR resident for at least one year before applying; able to pay resident's share of care costs. - Admission priority: By severity of disability, earning capacity, length of service, combat experience, and family circumstances. - Spouses, surviving spouses, and Gold Star Parents may be admitted on a space-available basis. - Funding: VA State Home per-diem payments available; residents pay a means-tested share. - Contact: 808-961-1500; yukiookutsustateveteranshome.org; dod.hawaii.gov/ovs.

**VA Pacific Islands Health Care System** - Comprehensive behavioral health inpatient and outpatient services; telehealth appointments available. - Main campus: Honolulu. Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs): Maui, Hilo, Kona, Kauai. - Contact: va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care.

**Volunteer Legal Services of Hawai'i (VLSH)** - Provides free legal assistance to veterans for VA benefits and pension claims. - Contact: vlsh.org.

**Hawaii License to Carry (LTC) — HRS § 134-9** - Fee: $150 non-refundable application fee plus a separate $10 license fee upon issuance = **$160 total**. - License issued by county police chief; valid 4 years; requires training, fingerprints, and photos. - Hawaii administers LTC at the county level.

**Free certified vital record copies for veterans (HRS § 338-14)** - The Hawaii Department of Health furnishes free certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage, etc.) to veterans of U.S. armed forces, their spouses, immediate family members, and next of kin of deceased veterans when required in connection with a VA claim. - Contact: Hawaii State Dept. of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring, Vital Records Section; 808-586-4533; health.hawaii.gov. - Action: Request in writing with DD-214 and explanation of VA claim use.

**Kupono Diploma Program** - Honorary high school diplomas awarded to WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam-era veterans who left high school early to serve. No application fee. - Contact: Hawaii DOE through OVS referral.

Unremarried surviving spouse of a qualifying totally disabled veteran inherits the property tax exemption for as long as they remain unmarried and continue to occupy the property as their primary residence.

**Federal programs apply:** - Fry Scholarship: Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for surviving spouses of service members who died on active duty. - DEA (Chapter 35): Education benefits for surviving spouses of P&T veterans.

- **DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation):** Fully tax-free in Hawaii. - **10-point derived civil service preference (HRS § 76-103):** Available to unremarried surviving spouses of veterans who

Same as VA national cemeteries — honorable discharge from active duty service; or 20 or more years National Guard/Reserve service eligible for retired pay; or died on active duty; or activated reservist; eligible dependents (spouse, minor children under 21 or 23 if in school, and unmarried adult children with disabilities).

**Unavailable (state burial allowance)** — Hawaii does not provide a separate state burial allowance or plot-purchase reimbursement program. State veterans cemeteries provide burials at no cost with plot included (see Category 56). Federal VA burial allowances ($300 to $800 for non-service-connected death; up to $2,000 for service-connected death) are available through the VA and apply in all states including Hawaii.

**State-provided:** - Flat granite marker or bronze niche marker provided at no cost at Hawaii State Veterans Cemeteries. - Standard government-design marker; no personalization beyond standard information.