An estimated 82,302 veterans live in Hawaii, making up 7.5% of the state's population or the 14th-highest of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
Hawaii Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Military retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are tax free.
Active-Duty Income Tax
Active-duty pay follows federal tax rules.
Hawaii National Guard and Reserve drill pay are tax free up to the amount that an E-5 with eight years of service receives for 48 drills (equivalent to 12 weekends) and 15 days of annual training.
Hawaii Veteran Property Taxes
Real property owned and occupied as a home by a totally disabled veteran or their surviving spouse is exempt from all property taxes.
Hawaii Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
The Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) provides tuition waivers to eligible members who complete Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. According to funding availability, the waiver covers 100% of tuition at a state community college and 50% at a state four-year university. Students must also:
- Be in paygrades E1-E9, W1-W5 or O1-O3.
- Be a resident as defined by the University of Hawaii (UH).
- Remain a satisfactory participant in their unit.
- Be an undergraduate or incoming freshman of the UH system.
- If enlisted, have an Expiration Term of Service (ETS) date equal to or greater than the last day of a class for which they request STAP.
Military Dependent Education
No Hawaii-specific benefits.
Hawaii Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Non-disabled veterans receive 5 preference points, and disabled veterans receive 10 points, added to their examination scores for open competitive state employment positions.
Military Spouse Employment
Military spouses professionally licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction may receive an expedited temporary license if the requirements of the other jurisdiction equal or exceed Hawaii's.
Some spouses and surviving spouses of disabled veterans may be eligible for a 10-point preference on examinations for state employment.
Hawaii Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
The Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo is a nursing home for honorably discharged resident veterans over 55 who require skilled nursing care and meet the Department of Veterans Affairs' requirements for an eligible veteran. The veteran is responsible for any costs not covered by the VA or Medicare. Spouses may be eligible depending on available space.
Homeless Veterans
The federal VA's Pacific Islands health system provides homeless services, as does the Catholic Church's Supportive Services for Veteran Families.
Adaptive Housing
Each qualified, totally disabled veteran may receive up to $5,000 from the state to buy or remodel a home to improve accessibility.
Hawaii Veteran Financial Assistance
See "Housing and Veterans Homes" for a $5,000 accessibility grant.
Hawaii Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
Hawaii Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Active-duty service members and their dependents stationed in Hawaii are considered residents for the purposes of obtaining a hunting license.
Parks/Camping
No military- or veteran-specific privileges.
Hawaii Veteran Transportation Benefits
Permanently disabled resident veterans may receive a $45 discount on vehicle registration. Recipients must have a service-connected, 100% VA disability rating and an other-than-dishonorable discharge.
Non-resident, active-duty service members stationed in Hawaii are exempt from Hawaii's motor vehicle weight taxes for one vehicle registered in their name.
Hawaii Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
Hawaii has seven state veterans cemeteries, which are located in Hilo, Hoolehua, Kailua-Kona, Kaneohe, Kauna Kakai, Lanai City and Lihue. Veterans, spouses and some dependents are eligible. A small fee may be charged for burial.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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