A Vacation Rental In Hawaii — Buying

Most new STRs outside of designated resort zones are prohibited. Ordinance 22-7 requires a 90-day minimum stay for non-resort properties unless they hold a legacy Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC).

Significant changes are underway following Bill 9, which aims to phase out approximately 7,000 units in apartment-zoned districts (the "Minatoya List") by January 1, 2029 (West Maui) and 2031 (rest of the island). Focus only on hotel-zoned units or permitted Short-Term Rental Homes (STRH). buying a vacation rental in hawaii

Most properties require 25–30% down to reach a break-even cash flow. Local lenders typically require 20–25% down for vacation rental financing. Hidden Costs: Most new STRs outside of designated resort zones

Investors often seek properties where gross annual income is at least 10% of the purchase price (e.g., $100k gross for a $1M property). Focus only on hotel-zoned units or permitted Short-Term

Typical condo fees range from $500 to $1,500/month and are rising 10–15% annually in older buildings.