Jason Wong’s Hawaii Real Estate Blog

When selling commercial real estate in Hawaii, one of the most expensive assumptions a property owner can make is believing there is only one logical buyer. The investor. An investor typically analyzes the property through income, NOI, cap rate, lease risk and return on capital. But an owner-user—a business planning to occupy the property itself—may…

Are you looking to buy or sell a luxury estate on agricultural land in Hawaii? Before you make a move, you need to deeply understand Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 205. In this brutally honest conversation, we uncover the strict reality of “farm dwellings” and why building a multi-million dollar masterpiece on ag land requires far…

Your parents named you successor trustee of their Hawaii property. It feels like an honor. Legally, it’s a job with teeth. The moment you accept, you become a fiduciary — and under the Hawaii Uniform Trust Code (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 554D), that means every beneficiary has standing to question what you did, when you…

Hawaiʻi’s shoreline challenges do not stop at a property line—and increasingly, neither does the way the State is thinking about them. In this video, I break down Hawaiʻi Act 207 (SB 2401), the 2026 law establishing a framework for regional shoreline adaptation planning. For owners, buyers and investors considering oceanfront or coastal real estate in…

Buying the land under your own home in Hawaii is expensive, but not buying it could cost you even more. If you are navigating Hawaii’s complex real estate market, understanding the difference between Leasehold and Fee Simple ownership is critical to protecting your investment. In this video, I break down the brutal truth about “Fee…

Looking past the beach to Hawaii’s spectacular hillside and ridge estates? While coastal properties navigate shoreline setbacks and sea-level rise disclosures, elevated luxury homes face a relentlessly unsentimental force: gravity. Whether you are a local homeowner aiming to maximize your property’s value, or an international investor seeking a premium Honolulu retreat, understanding Hawaii’s strict geotechnical…

Everyone loves the romantic idea of owning a registered historic home in Hawaii—especially when discovering the massive property tax exemptions available from the county. But is the architectural pedigree worth the highly expensive set of handcuffs? In this deep dive into Hawaii’s luxury historic real estate market, we uncover the reality behind the state’s most…

Suppose your Hawaii commercial building needs a $200,000 roof. Most sellers reach the same conclusion: deduct $200,000 from the price and the deal is solved. Commercial buyers do not underwrite it that way. In this segment I walk through why deferred maintenance on an Oʻahu or neighbor-island commercial asset almost never trades at repair cost.…

Are you an investor or homeowner on the Big Island of Hawaii? Recent legislative shifts have significantly changed the carrying costs for luxury properties, and understanding these new tiers is crucial for your real estate portfolio. In this breakdown, I analyze the precise financial impact of Hawaii County’s Bill 128 and Resolution 574-26. We look…

Rates shown are FY2026–27 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). Every county resets rates each July 1 — verify before you act. Four islands. One identical $4 million assessed value. Four completely different annual property tax bills — and the most expensive one is not where almost anyone would guess. I ran the same…