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Benefits Navigator

This tool provides estimates for educational purposes only. We are not accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs and do not file claims, provide legal advice, or represent veterans before the VA (38 U.S.C. § 5904). For official assistance, contact a VSO, CVSO, or VA-accredited attorney.

Hawaii Veterans Benefits Resources

Based on Public benefits information published by the Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services and the state of Hawaii. This page is a free community resource. We are not VA-accredited and do not file claims or provide legal advice (per 38 U.S.C. § 5904).

Last reviewed: 2026-04-18 · Next review: 2026-10-18

Maintained by: Veterans Benefits Navigator editorial team. Every citation links to a primary federal or state source. See editorial standards and our privacy posture.

Primary sources: Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services, HI benefits overview

State-level veteran benefits supplement federal VA compensation and healthcare. Hawaii administers its own set of programs, summarized below. State programs change by legislature; verify current rules directly with the Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services.

Finding help in Hawaii

Federal VA disability, healthcare, education, housing, and survivor benefits are the same in every state. What changes by state — and, more specifically, by county — is access to free, accredited representation. Most veterans in Hawaii can work with a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) at no cost, or with a VSO recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • VA’s accredited representative lookup. The VA publishes the official directory of accredited attorneys, claims agents, and VSO representatives. You can filter by state when you search: VA Office of General Counsel accreditation search.
  • County CVSOs. Many Hawaiicounties staff a County Veterans Service Officer. CVSOs are funded by the county (or state) and may file federal and state veteran claims for free. They are not VBN and are not employees of the VA — they work for the veterans of their county.
  • Your state’s department of veterans affairs. Search for “HawaiiDepartment of Veterans Affairs” on the official state government website (.gov) for state-specific benefits, nursing-home admissions, tuition programs, and the current CVSO directory. VBN links to the Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services; confirm URLs before submitting forms.

Start with your state veterans office

The Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services is the authoritative source for state-level eligibility, application forms, and appeal procedures. Many Hawaii counties also host a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO); state VA departments typically maintain a directory of CVSOs who can file state and federal claims at no cost. The current directory is available at dod.hawaii.gov/ovs/office-contacts.

Commonly cited Hawaii benefits

These are benefits most frequently highlighted by Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services. Eligibility rules vary by program and change over time; each item links to the official source.

  • Real Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans. Hawaii counties administer a real property tax exemption for totally disabled veterans on the primary residence. Eligibility and exemption amounts vary by county (Honolulu, Hawaii County, Maui, Kauai). Source.
  • Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Hawaii operates state veterans cemeteries on Oahu (Kaneohe), Hawaii Island, Maui, Kauai, and Molokai, offering burial and committal services to eligible veterans and dependents at no cost beyond federal standards. Source.
  • No State Income Tax on Federal Military Retirement. Hawaii fully exempts federal military retirement pay from state income tax. VA disability compensation is already federally tax-exempt; this affects retirement income only. Source.
  • Veteran Designation on Hawaii Driver License. Hawaii driver licenses and state ID cards may include a "VETERAN" designation at no additional fee with DD-214 verification through the county motor vehicle office. Source.

Federal claims still run through VA.gov

State benefits are administered by Hawaii. Federal VA disability compensation, healthcare enrollment, GI Bill, VR&E, VA home loans, and survivor benefits are administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and are the same in every state. VBN’s federal-side tools are linked below.

What this page is (and what it isn’t)

This page summarizes publicly published HI state veteran benefits with links to authoritative sources. It is not a legal guide and does not substitute for an accredited Veterans Service Officer. Filing deadlines, income thresholds, and rating thresholds change; treat this page as a starting point and confirm current rules with the state VA department before making filing decisions.

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