Search Hilo Property Records

Hilo property records are maintained by Hawaii County and cover all parcels in East Hawaii, including the Hilo, Hamakua, and Puna districts. The East Hawaii Real Property Tax Office handles assessments, exemptions, and tax billing for Hilo parcels. Deed records for Hilo are filed at the state Bureau of Conveyances in Honolulu and can be searched online. This page explains how to find Hilo property records, what data is available, key deadlines, and exemption programs that apply to Hilo homeowners and landowners.

Hilo Property Records Search

The main tool for searching Hilo property records is hawaiipropertytax.com, the official site for Hawaii County real property data. You can look up any Hilo parcel by Tax Map Key number, owner name, or address. The site shows assessed values, tax class, lot size, building details, sales history, and current tax amounts. It is free to use and does not need a login.

Hawaii uses a Tax Map Key system to identify parcels. On the Big Island, TMK numbers start with the digit 3, which marks Hawaii County (the third county in the state system). A full TMK looks like this: 3-2-001-002-0000. The first digit after the county code is the zone, followed by section, plat, and parcel. When you search by TMK on hawaiipropertytax.com, enter the number without hyphens or with them. Either format works. The search returns all recorded data for that parcel including ownership, valuation, and exemption status.

The site shows recent sales and land use codes, which can help you understand what type of property a parcel is classified as. Hilo parcels include residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial classes, each with its own tax rate set by the County Council each June.

Note: The Hawaii County property search site covers all Big Island parcels, not just Hilo. Use the address field to narrow results to a specific Hilo street or neighborhood.

East Hawaii Real Property Tax Office

The East Hawaii Real Property Tax Office is the local office that handles property assessments, exemption applications, and billing for Hilo and surrounding areas. It serves the Hilo, Hamakua, and Puna districts. If you have questions about your Hilo assessment or want to file an exemption form, this is the right office to contact.

Staff can help with questions about your Hilo assessment, the appeal process, exemption eligibility, and how to read your tax bill. You can also submit exemption forms in person at this office. If you live in West Hawaii near Kailua-Kona, that area is served by a separate office on Ane Keohokalole Highway.

Note: Bring your TMK number and a copy of your deed when visiting the office. This speeds up the process for any account-specific questions.

Key Dates and Deadlines for Hilo Property Owners

Hawaii County follows a set schedule for assessments, tax billing, and exemption deadlines. If you own property in Hilo, these dates matter. Missing a deadline can mean losing an exemption or paying a penalty.

Note: The April 9 appeal deadline is firm. If you think your Hilo assessment is wrong, review your notice as soon as it arrives in March and act quickly.

Home Exemption in Hilo

The Home Exemption is the most common property tax benefit for Hilo residents. It reduces the taxable value of your home and locks in a 3% annual cap on assessment increases as long as you qualify. To get the exemption, you must own the property and use it as your main home for more than 200 calendar days per year. The property must be your principal residence, not a rental or vacation home.

To apply, file RP Form 19-71 with the East Hawaii Real Property Tax Office. The December 31 deadline applies to the first-half tax period, and June 30 applies to the second-half period. Your name must appear on the deed and be recorded at the Bureau of Conveyances by those same dates. You also need to have filed a Hawaii Resident Income Tax Return (Form N-11) within the past 12 months, or request a waiver from the office if you do not file state taxes.

One rule to know: if you rent out any part of your Hilo home for periods of less than 180 days, the Homeowner tax class and the 3% assessment cap are both disallowed for that year. Short-term rentals can affect your exemption status, so be aware of how you use the property.

Note: You only need to apply once. The exemption renews automatically each year as long as your ownership and occupancy status does not change.

Other Exemption Programs for Hilo Property Owners

Hawaii County offers several exemption programs beyond the standard Home Exemption. Hilo property owners may qualify for one or more of these based on their situation.

The Kuleana Land Exemption applies to parcels that qualify as traditional kuleana land under Hawaiian land tenure history. The Disability Exemption is available to owners who meet certain disability criteria set by the county. The Veteran Disability Exemption applies to veterans with an 80 to 100 percent disability rating from the VA. Applications for these programs are due by December 31 for first-half billing and June 30 for second-half billing.

The Affordable Rental Housing Exemption and the Community Food Sustainability Exemption serve property owners who meet specific use requirements tied to housing affordability or food production. The Non-Profit and Charitable Exemption covers properties owned by 501(c)(3) organizations and used for exempt purposes. The Solar Water Heater Credit is a one-time credit for properties that install qualifying solar water heating systems; the deadline to apply is September 30. The Native Forest Dedication program covers parcels of at least three acres with at least 25 percent tree cover and 60 percent native species under a 20-year agreement.

Note: Each program has its own form and deadline. Contact the East Hawaii Real Property Tax Office at (808) 961-8201 to confirm which programs apply to your Hilo parcel.

Agricultural Use Dedications

The Agricultural Use Dedication program lets Hilo landowners commit their property to agricultural use in exchange for a lower assessed value. The program runs on a 10-year agreement with Hawaii County. To qualify, the parcel must generate at least $2,000 in annual farm income or meet other standards set by the county. Some properties may qualify based on crop type or acreage even if income is below that level.

Applications must be filed by September 1 each year. Once accepted, the dedication locks in agricultural use for 10 years. If you sell the land or change its use before the term ends, the county may recapture some of the tax savings. Hilo and the surrounding districts of Hamakua and Puna have a large number of agricultural parcels, and this program is widely used across East Hawaii.

Note: Check with the East Hawaii Real Property Tax Office before applying to confirm that your parcel meets the minimum qualifications for the agricultural dedication program.

Bureau of Conveyances and Hilo Deed Records

All deed and title records for Hilo property are filed at the state Bureau of Conveyances, which operates statewide from Honolulu. Even though the property is in Hilo, the recording office is at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Suite 120, Honolulu, HI 96813. You can reach them at (808) 587-0147. The Bureau's website is at dlnr.hawaii.gov/boc.

To search deed records online, use RecordEASE, the Bureau's document search system. It covers documents recorded from 1976 forward. You can search by grantor or grantee name, TMK number, or document number. Viewing a document costs $1 per page. RecordEASE requires a login to view full documents, but the index is searchable without one. Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments recorded against Hilo parcels are all available through this system.

For older Hilo records before 1976, you may need to contact the Bureau directly or visit in person. Paper records from early statehood and the territorial period are held in the Bureau's physical archive.

Note: RecordEASE search results show the document type, date recorded, and parties involved. Download fees apply for full copies of recorded instruments.

Third Circuit Court Records

Hilo is served by the Third Circuit Court, which covers all of Hawaii County including the Big Island. Court records related to Hilo property may include foreclosure filings, quiet title actions, partition suits, and other civil cases that affect real estate. These records are public and can be searched through the Hawaii state court system.

The Hawaii Judiciary's eCourt Kokua system lets you search civil and other case records by party name or case number at no cost. For Hilo property cases, search under the Third Circuit. You can see case status, filed documents, and hearing dates. Full document copies may require a request to the clerk's office and a copy fee.

Foreclosure cases filed in the Third Circuit are part of the public record and show up in eCourt searches. If you are researching a Hilo property with a complex ownership history, checking court records alongside deed records gives a more complete picture.

Note: Not all civil cases appear in eCourt. For older Hilo court records, contact the Third Circuit Court clerk directly to request a search of physical files.

Hawaii County

Hilo is the county seat of Hawaii County. Find complete property records information for the Big Island at the county page.