If you are a veteran in Hawaii planning repairs or accessibility work on your home, here is the direct answer: Hawaii runs its own state housing benefit for disabled veterans, on top of the four federal VA grants, and it stacks with county property tax relief. Here is how the federal money works, what Hawaii adds, and how to apply for both.
The four federal VA grants#
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers four grant and health-benefit programs nationwide, and Hawaii veterans qualify the same as anywhere. Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) pays up to $126,526 in FY2026 for severe, permanent service-connected disabilities, such as loss of use of both legs or blindness rated 20/200. Special Home Adaptation (SHA) pays up to $25,350 in FY2026 for conditions like loss of use of both hands or certain respiratory injuries. Both are grants, not loans. Apply with VA Form 26-4555; SAH or SHA can be used up to six times as funds remain.
Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) helps veterans living temporarily in a family member's home, paying up to $50,961 in FY2026 through the SAH path or $9,100 through the SHA path. TRA can only be used once, counts toward your six lifetime uses, and draws down whichever grant total you qualify under. Congress authorizes TRA through September 30, 2026.
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) is a VA health benefit, not a housing grant, so you apply through the VA medical center's Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service with VA Form 10-0103 and a provider's prescription. Service-connected veterans can receive up to $6,800 lifetime; other eligible veterans up to $2,000. Renters can use HISA with the landlord's notarized permission. SAH and SHA construction requires a VA Builder ID contractor.
What Hawaii adds#
Hawaii's agency for veterans is the Office of Veterans' Services (OVS), part of the state Department of Defense, at dod.hawaii.gov/ovs, (808) 433-0420, based at Tripler in Honolulu, email ovs@hawaii.gov. Unlike most states, Hawaii runs a real state housing benefit under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) section 363-11, Special Housing for Disabled Veterans, paying toward the cost of purchasing or remodeling a specially designed home not covered by the federal government. Two conditions apply: bona fide Hawaii residency before entering active service, and qualifying for the federal SAH grant. The state's share can never exceed the federal share, and payments depend on available state funds each year. The statute sets no dollar figure; OVS rules determine the amount, so contact OVS directly rather than relying on any cap you may see quoted online.
Property tax relief is handled at the county level, not by OVS, and rules differ by island. In Honolulu, a totally disabled veteran's home is exempt from real property tax except a minimum tax and special assessments, under Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (ROH) 8-10.5. File Form E-8-10.5 by June 30 or December 31, depending on when you become eligible; the exemption continues for an unremarried surviving spouse. Hawaii County uses the same deadline pattern on Form 19-73, with a minimum tax still applying. Kauai exempts veterans rated 80 to 100 percent disabled from all property taxes other than special assessments. Maui's exemption, under Maui County Code (MCC) 3.48.475, covers veterans it defines as severely disabled: a 70 percent or higher rating. Thresholds and forms differ by county, so file with your own county's tax office, not OVS. Veterans rated 100% disabled are also exempt from the state motor vehicle registration fee under Act 188.
How to apply in Hawaii#
Finding a provider who knows VA paperwork: Not every contractor has worked on SAH, SHA, or HISA projects. Adapta Home USA verifies providers' VA Builder ID Verified status, so you can filter for professionals who have handled it. Find Home Modifications & Remodeling providers in Hawaii with VA Builder ID Verified status →
For the federal VA grants and the state HRS 363-11 payment, OVS Veterans Services Counselors on every major island help file VA Form 26-4555 free: Oahu at Tripler, (808) 433-0420, or Kapolei/Akaka Clinic, (808) 458-5072; Kauai in Lihue, (808) 369-3535; Hawaii Island in Hilo, (808) 369-3538, or Kailua-Kona, (808) 844-6664; and Maui, Molokai, and Lanai through Kahului, (808) 369-3541. For a county tax exemption, file with your county's Real Property Assessment or Tax division instead.
How the programs stack together#
The federal VA grants pay for construction, so start there, since that money never needs repaying. Hawaii's HRS 363-11 payment can add to a SAH-qualified project if you meet the residency test, though the amount depends on OVS rules and funds each year. Your county's tax exemption does not fund construction, but it lowers ongoing costs once the home is adapted, and you may qualify for both at once.
For more on the federal programs, see our VA home modification grants guide and VA grant decision tree. Our guide to paying for home modifications and wheelchair ramp cost guide can help you plan a budget.
Figures on this page were verified against dod.hawaii.gov/ovs, the Hawaii Revised Statutes, and the four county real property tax offices in July 2026.
FAQ#
Does Hawaii have a state grant for veteran home modifications?#
Yes. HRS section 363-11 pays toward the cost of purchasing or remodeling a specially designed home for veterans who qualify for the federal SAH grant, though the statute sets no fixed amount.
Do disabled veterans pay property taxes in Hawaii, and does it differ by county?#
Yes, and rules differ by county. Honolulu and Hawaii County exempt totally disabled veterans' homes except a minimum tax; Kauai exempts veterans rated 80-100 percent disabled; Maui's threshold is 70 percent or higher.
Do I have to have been a Hawaii resident before military service to get the state special housing payment?#
Yes. HRS 363-11 requires bona fide Hawaii residency before entering active service, in addition to qualifying for the federal SAH grant.
Who helps Hawaii veterans apply for VA housing grants for free on each island?#
OVS Veterans Services Counselors, with offices on Oahu, Kauai, Hawaii Island, and Maui, help file VA Form 26-4555 and related claims free.
Find a verified provider near you#
Adapta Home USA's directory lets you search Home Modifications & Remodeling providers in Hawaii and filter for VA Builder ID Verified status. Our wheelchair ramp cost guide can help you budget.
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.
Program amounts, eligibility rules, and application procedures change. Figures on this page were verified against official government sources on the date shown, but you should confirm current details at VA.gov or with the administering agency before making decisions. Adapta Home USA is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.