Hawaii
Hawaii exempts 100 percent disabled veterans from real property tax on the primary residence (county-administered, county exemptions vary), gives free hunting and fishing licenses to qualifying veterans, in state tuition at the University of Hawaii System for residents and active duty military, and discounted admission at state parks.
Hawaii Department of Veterans AffairsProperty tax exemption
Full exemption from real property tax on the primary residence in all four counties (Honolulu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui). Each county sets its own application process.
Source: Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services, Property Tax ExemptionsState income tax
Hawaii does not tax VA disability compensation, and military retirement pay is fully exempt from Hawaii state income tax.
Source: Hawaii Department of TaxationDisabled veteran plates & registration
Hawaii waives the state vehicle registration fee for one vehicle owned by a veteran rated 100% service-connected (renewed each year); the counties also issue specialty veteran plates at standard cost.
Source: Hawaii Office of Veterans' ServicesPublic employment preference
Hawaii adds 5 preference points to a veteran's open-competitive state employment score and 10 points for disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and certain spouses or surviving spouses.
Source: Hawaii Office of Veterans' ServicesIn state tuition
Under 38 USC 3679(c) (the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act Section 702), every public college that accepts Post-9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill students must charge in state tuition to veterans using their GI Bill, regardless of state residency, if the veteran enrolled within 3 years of separation. State specific extensions to this rule are noted below where applicable. The University of Hawaii System extends resident tuition to active duty military stationed in Hawaii and their dependents.
Source: Hawaii OVS, State BenefitsDependent / survivor education
Hawaii lets nonresident veterans, service members stationed in Hawaii, and their dependents attend University of Hawaii system schools at the resident tuition rate.
Source: Hawaii Office of Veterans' ServicesHunting and fishing license
Free hunting and fishing licenses available; specific tier varies by rating.
Source: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, HuntingState park entrance
Reduced or free entry to Hawaii state parks with a Disabled Veteran ID.
Source: Hawaii Division of State ParksCamping & recreation
Recreation perks vary by county. Totally disabled veterans may qualify for county vehicle-tax relief and home accessibility help; check with the Office of Veterans' Services for current parks and recreation benefits.
Source: Hawaii Office of Veterans' ServicesState veterans cemetery
Hawaii runs state veterans cemeteries across the islands (Oahu, Hawaii Island, Kauai, Lanai, and Maui) providing burial for qualified veterans and their dependents.
Source: Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services - Veterans CemeteriesEmail me the Hawaii benefit checklist
A clean, printable checklist of every Hawaii benefit on this page - with the eligibility threshold and official source for each - sent straight to your inbox.
State legislatures revise thresholds and dollar amounts every session. The figures above are sourced from the state agency that administers each program, but the latest year is the state's word, not ours. Before you file an application, click the source link in each section and verify the current threshold.
Writing about Hawaii veteran benefits? You are welcome to reference this guide. Copy the citation below and link back so your readers can verify each program against the state source, or download the benefits table.