HCC §19-38
Selling property to pay overdue property taxes
Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗If property taxes are unpaid for at least two years, the county can sell the property at a public auction to collect what is owed. The sale goes to the highest bidder for cash, and any leftover money goes to the person legally entitled to it.
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The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — Tax liens; foreclosure without suit
A copy, taken August 21, 2026. The version published by Hawaiʻi County is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) All real property on which any lien, or part thereof, for taxes levied pursuant to this Code has existed for at least two years may be sold by way of foreclosure without suit by the director or as otherwise specified in this Code. (b) Such delinquent real property shall be sold by the director or the director’s designated representative at public auction to the highest bidder, for cash, to satisfy the lien, together with all interest, penalties, costs, and expenses due or incurred on account of the taxes, lien, and sale. (c) The surplus funds from the tax foreclosure sale, if any, shall be rendered to the person(s) legally entitled to the surplus funds resulting from the sale. (d) The sale shall be held at any public place proper for sales on execution of the foreclosure.
Published by the County of Hawaiʻi Office of the County Clerk.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.