Housing

Honolulu Sees Doubling Of Vacation Rental Registrations Under New Rules Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat

Honolulu Sees Doubling Of Vacation Rental Registrations Under New Rules

The city has made it easier to sign up, but many owners are still flying under the radar even in areas like Waikīkī and Ko Olina where short-term rentals are legal to operate.

Manager Alleges Potential Fraud In Homeless Village Construction David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Manager Alleges Potential Fraud In Homeless Village Construction

Manager claims a variety of legal violations during construction of the kauhale tiny homes, but the developer says he doesn’t understand the law.

$500,000 Bargains And 5 Other Quirks Of Hawaiʻi’s Insane Housing Market Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

$500,000 Bargains And 5 Other Quirks Of Hawaiʻi’s Insane Housing Market

Yes, prices are high and mostly getting higher. But there are some plot twists in the latest housing report from the University of Hawaiʻi.

Honolulu Can Fine Airbnb, Vrbo for Illegal Vacation Rentals. It Never Has David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu Can Fine Airbnb, Vrbo for Illegal Vacation Rentals. It Never Has

Like other tourist destinations, Honolulu passed a law to hold booking platforms accountable for illegal listings. But the city hasn’t cited any company, even as illegal rentals flourish.

Housing: Lawmakers Fund More Housing, Not Special Treatment for Locals David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Housing: Lawmakers Fund More Housing, Not Special Treatment for Locals

Housing advocates unsuccessfully pushed for bills that would have given cash incentives for deed restrictions that require a property owner to be a resident working in the state.

Maui Fire Survivors Uprooted Again As FEMA Starts Charging Rent Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2025

Maui Fire Survivors Uprooted Again As FEMA Starts Charging Rent

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is trying to reduce the load on the island’s housing stock but the continual need to relocate is frustrating residents.

Native Hawaiians: Help With Housing Continues To Elude The Hawaiian Community Kawika Lopez/Civil Beat/2025

Native Hawaiians: Help With Housing Continues To Elude The Hawaiian Community

The Legislature rejected most of the Hawaiian advocates proposals to put more money and initiatives to help get people off the waitlist.

Too Many Exemptions From Empty Homes Tax Could Cost Honolulu $150 Million Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2018

Too Many Exemptions From Empty Homes Tax Could Cost Honolulu $150 Million

The city council has been trying to pass a 1% to 3% tax for years but wants to target offshore investors, not local residents. Consultants say no other city does it that way.

Bill Offering Displaced Tenants Protections Dies At Legislature Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Bill Offering Displaced Tenants Protections Dies At Legislature

The bill’s supporters said one state Senator was responsible for the outcome

Lawmakers Settle On A New Two-Year Budget That Focuses On Housing Chad Blair/Civil Beat/2025

Lawmakers Settle On A New Two-Year Budget That Focuses On Housing

Anxiety over the possibility of federal budget cuts was the backdrop for budget negotiations this year.