Hawaiʻi Rental Rules Weekly · Issue #1 · Friday, Oct 9, 2026

What changed for vacation rentals this week

Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and the State. Plain English, dated, with sources. About 3 minutes.

This week in 30 seconds

Oʻahu NUC renewals must be approved by Oct 15. Big Island registration is open through Dec 31 while Bill 147 heads to the full Council. Maui's Bill 9 rezoning requests are still under review.

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Signs used below: ACT NOW deadline under 30 days · PLAN AHEAD deadline or vote coming · FYI no action needed · UNCONFIRMED not yet in an official document

This week's updates

ACT NOWOʻahu · Honolulu DPP

NUC renewals must be approved by Oct 15

Does this apply to me?

You hold a Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC) for an Oʻahu B&B or vacation unit → yes
Your unit has the newer DPP STR registration, not an NUC → no. That renews yearly, between 3 months and 1 month before it expires (DPP FAQ).
You only rent for 30 days or longer → no

What to do

Make an HNL Build account if you don't have one: HNL Build sign-up.
Follow DPP's Step-by-Step Guide for Renewing a NUC (PDF).
Already submitted? Check its status in HNL Build. DPP's wording is that the renewal must be approved by Oct 15, not just submitted.
Still pending? Contact DPP through its Short-Term Rentals page this week.

Deadline: Thu, Oct 15, 2026

Why it matters: DPP says an NUC whose renewal isn't approved by Oct 15 expires automatically, and new NUCs aren't being issued.

Source: Honolulu DPP · Short-Term Rentals · STR FAQ (checked Oct 9, 2026)

PLAN AHEADHawaiʻi Island · Planning Dept.

Vacation-rental registration is open, with a grace period to Dec 31

Does this apply to me?

You rent a room, ʻohana or guest house at the home where you live (hosted) → yes, register
You already have an STVR registration, an NUC, or a County B&B permit → probably not. The County says these are "deemed registered" and will be sent a number. Keep them current.
You rent a whole home, don't live there, and never registered → check with the county first (the County's own advice)
You're buying a rental → yes. A registration expires 90 days after a change in ownership, so the new owner must re-register.

What to do

Read the County's TVR Registration Public Information Sheet (PDF, rev. July 29, 2026).
Gather what it lists: address and TMK, a simple site and floor plan, GET and TAT numbers, reachable-person contact, and building permit numbers. Property taxes must be current.
Register through the portal linked from the County's registration site, hawaiicountytar.com.
Questions: Planning Department, Hilo (808) 961-8288 or Kona (808) 323-4770, planning@hawaiicounty.gov (from the County info sheet).

Grace period ends: Thu, Dec 31, 2026

Why it matters: The County info sheet says an unregistered rental can be fined $1,000 to $10,000 or more.

Sources: County TVR info sheet · Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Sept 8, 2026 (Bill 175 grace period). Fees per the info sheet: hosted $250 to start / $100 a year; unhosted $500 / $250.

PLAN AHEADDATE UNCONFIRMEDHawaiʻi Island · County Council

Bill 147 heads to the full Council after a 4–5 committee vote against it

Does this apply to me?

You run a hosted or unhosted vacation rental on Hawaiʻi Island → yes, worth following
You rent a room or two in the home you live in → yes. Council discussion focused on this group.
You're planning a rental in a new multifamily building outside resort areas → watch closely. A proposed amendment would bar new unhosted rentals there.

What to do

Read the plain-language Bill 147 explainer (PDF).
Watch for it on Hawaiʻi County Council agendas.
Nothing to file yet. Bill 147 isn't law. Registration (card above) is required either way.

Next step: full Council discussion date not yet announced

Why it matters: It would set the names, operating rules and fines for Big Island rentals. The Planning Director expects a wave of registrations once it's settled.

Source: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Oct 7, 2026 (committee vote Tue, Oct 6)

UNCONFIRMEDHawaiʻi Island · County Council

A possible amnesty bill for unregistered operators

Does this apply to me?

You've operated without the right County approvals and want to come forward → possibly, if a bill is introduced

What to do

Nothing yet. Councilmember Kimball said in September that she planned to bring an amnesty bill in October. We haven't seen it introduced.
For your own situation, check with the Planning Department (contacts in the registration card above).

Why it matters: If introduced, it could change how past non-compliance is handled.

Source: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Sept 8, 2026

PLAN AHEADMaui · Planning Commission → Council

Bill 9 exemptions: 5 of 48 complexes recommended for hotel zoning

Does this apply to me?

Your condo complex is one of the 48 in Resolutions 26-110 or 26-111 → yes
You're buying or selling a unit in an apartment-zoned Maui complex → yes. Rezoning decides whether vacation-rental use can continue after Bill 9's dates.
Your rental is hotel- or resort-zoned → no. Bill 9 doesn't cover those.

What to do

Find the property lists: search "Reso 26-110" and "Reso 26-111" on Maui County Council Legistar.
If you're in one of the 5 recommended complexes, nothing is final yet. The Council still has to vote.
If yours was recommended for denial, the Council can still approve it with 6 of 9 votes. Watch the Council's Housing and Land Use committee agendas.

Recommendations due to Council: Tue, Nov 24, 2026 unconfirmed date

Why it matters: Hotel zoning (H-3/H-4) is the path for these buildings to keep vacation rentals after the phase-out.

Sources: Star-Advertiser, Sept 23, 2026 (6–2 vote Sept 22; 48 properties, 3,402 units) · Nov 24 date from a real-estate firm's summary, not a county document

PLAN AHEADDATE UNCONFIRMEDMaui · County Council

32 more shoreline complexes sent to the Planning Commission

Does this apply to me?

You own or manage in one of the 32 Māʻalaea, Kīhei or West Maui complexes in Resolution 26-129 → yes
Your complex is apartment-zoned but not on the list → not this round. The Bill 9 dates still apply.

What to do

Check the list: search "Reso 26-129" on Maui County Council Legistar.
Watch for the Planning Commission hearing date. Public testimony usually happens there.

Next step: Planning Commission hearing date not yet announced

Why it matters: The Council voted 5–4 on Sept 29 to start the rezoning process for these 32. Nothing is rezoned yet.

Source: Maui Now, Sept 30, 2026 · background: Bill 9 (2025) on Legistar

PLAN AHEADKauaʻi · Planning Dept.

TVR renewals: mail 2 months early, no grace period

Does this apply to me?

You hold a Kauaʻi TVR nonconforming use certificate outside the Visitor Destination Area, or a homestay permit → yes
Your rental is inside the Visitor Destination Area (VDA) → this renewal rule doesn't apply

What to do

Find your renewal date and count back 2 months. That's your real deadline.
Download the 2026 TVR-NCU Renewal Application Form from Kauaʻi Planning's TVR page.
Mail it certified, return receipt requested, to Planning Department, 4444 Rice Street, Suite A473, Līhuʻe, HI 96766. The county no longer accepts counter drop-offs.
Check your listing on the county's approved list, last updated Aug 26, 2026.

Deadline: 2 months before your own renewal date

Why it matters: The county says a missed renewal brings a Cease & Desist and Notice of Forfeiture. Unconfirmed We found no notice changing this after Hurricane Lowell. If the storm affected you, ask Planning.

Source: Kauaʻi Planning · Transient Vacation Rentals

FYIKauaʻi · Planning Dept.

Buying or selling a Kauaʻi TVR? Pass the file along

Does this apply to me?

You're selling or buying a property with a Kauaʻi TVR certificate → yes

What to do

Sellers: the county says to give the buyer the original nonconforming-use file, the latest renewal application and the renewal letter.
Buyers: send a current-year renewal form with your details (no attachments or payment) within 30 days of the sale recording.

Why it matters: The county's own advice to buyers is "Buyer beware!"

Source: Kauaʻi Planning FAQ

FYIOʻahu · Honolulu DPP

Selling on Oʻahu? There's a short-term rental disclosure form

Does this apply to me?

You're selling real property on Oʻahu → yes. DPP says sellers must give buyers this form (Ordinance 22-6).

What to do

Get the STR Disclosure Form (PDF) and ask your agent how it fits your sale.

Why it matters: The form states whether the property may legally be used for short-term rentals.

Source: Honolulu DPP · Short-Term Rentals

FYIOʻahu · Honolulu DPP

The 30-day line is what DPP enforces

Does this apply to me?

You rent or advertise an Oʻahu unit for under 30 days → yes

What to do

No change this week. If you're unsure whether your area allows rentals under 30 days, check the maps in Ordinance 25-52 or ask DPP.

Why it matters: DPP says it "will continue to enforce STRs as less than 30 consecutive days across the board." New ones are allowed only in resort zones and a few mapped apartment areas.

Source: Honolulu DPP · Short-Term Rentals

FYIState · Dept. of Taxation

State TAT is 11% this year

Does this apply to me?

You file Transient Accommodations Tax returns → yes

What to do

Use 11% for rentals from Jan 1, 2026 on. If a return covers both years, split it as the Form TA-1 instructions show.

Why it matters: Act 96 (2025), the "Green Fee," raised the rate from 10.25%.

Sources: DOTAX TA-1 instructions · Act 96, SLH 2025 · background: Act 17 (2024), the state law that lets counties phase out vacation rentals

Upcoming deadlines

Tap "Add to calendar" for an .ics reminder with a 7-day alert (Apple, Outlook, Google), or "Google" to open it straight in Google Calendar.

Thu, Oct 15, 2026 ·
Oʻahu: NUC renewals must be approved. DPP
Tue, Nov 24, 2026 unconfirmed ·
Maui: Planning Commission recommendations on Resos 26-110/111 reportedly due to Council. summary
Thu, Dec 31, 2026 ·
Hawaiʻi Island: TVR registration grace period ends. Tribune-Herald
Rolling
Kauaʻi: renewal packet mailed (certified) at least 2 months before your renewal date. Kauaʻi Planning
Wed, Jan 20, 2027 expected ·
State Legislature's 2027 session opens. The constitution sets the third Wednesday in January; confirm at capitol.hawaii.gov.
Sun, Dec 31, 2028 ·
Maui: last legal guest night for apartment-district vacation rentals in West Maui (Bill 9), unless rezoned. Maui Now
Tue, Dec 31, 2030 ·
Maui: the same, for the rest of Maui County. Bill 9 guide

Quick checklist

Tick these off as you go. Saved on this device only.

Oʻahu NUC holders: renewal approved in HNL Build before Oct 15
Hawaiʻi Island: registered, or confirmed "deemed registered," before Dec 31
Hawaiʻi Island: TMK, site/floor plan, GET and TAT numbers, permit numbers gathered; property taxes current
Hawaiʻi Island: read the Bill 147 explainer and watch Council agendas
Maui: checked whether my complex is in Resos 26-110, 26-111 or 26-129
Kauaʻi: renewal date noted; packet mailed certified 2+ months ahead
State: using the 11% TAT rate for 2026 rentals
Added my deadlines to my calendar

General information, not legal advice. Check with the county or an attorney for your property. We summarize public sources in our own words and link back to them. We don't judge whether any specific rental is legal. "Unconfirmed" and "expected" mean we haven't seen it in an official document yet.

Sources checked Fri, Oct 9, 2026 (HST); every link and the Oʻahu Oct 15 deadline re-checked Tue, Oct 13, 2026. Spot an error? desk@grokaiapps.com · Made by AUTOGROK Desk.