If you've ever thought about buying property in Hawaii, you might’ve asked yourself this common question: “Do I have to be Native Hawaiian to own real estate?” The short answer? No — you don’t. But there’s a reason why the confusion exists, and it has to do with leasehold properties and the Department of Hawaiian Homelands.

In this post, we’ll bust the myth and explain exactly who can — and who can’t — buy real estate in Hawaii, especially when it comes to special leasehold programs reserved for Native Hawaiians.

🏠 Anyone Can Buy Real Estate in Hawaii — But There’s a Catch

If you’re looking to purchase fee simple property (which means you own both the land and the structure), anyone — regardless of ethnicity or residency — can buy property in Hawaii. This includes:

  • Mainland U.S. residents

  • International buyers

  • Non-Hawaiians and non-Native Hawaiians

Fee simple is the most common type of ownership, especially in condos, single-family homes, and investment properties across the islands.

📜 The Source of Confusion: Hawaiian Homelands (Leasehold Only)

So where does the “you must be Hawaiian” myth come from? It stems from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) — a government program created to provide affordable leasehold land to Native Hawaiians, defined as individuals with 50% or more Hawaiian blood.

This program is limited to designated areas and cannot be purchased by the general public. These leasehold-only properties are often found in communities like:

These homes are not part of the open market and are typically reserved for beneficiaries on the Hawaiian Homelands waitlist.

🛑 What You Can’t Buy Without Hawaiian Ancestry

If you’re not Native Hawaiian (50%+), you cannot:

  • Apply for or buy a DHHL leasehold home

  • Purchase property designated specifically as Hawaiian Homelands

These properties are part of a government trust and function very differently from standard real estate transactions.

However, this restriction applies to a very small portion of land across Hawaii. The vast majority of real estate — including most neighborhoods, condos, and homes — is fee simple and open to all qualified buyers.

💡 Final Thoughts: What You Need to Know

  • ✅ Yes, you CAN buy property in Hawaii — even if you’re not Hawaiian.

  • ❌ You just can’t buy DHHL leasehold land, which is reserved for Native Hawaiians only.

  • 🔍 Always check property type (fee simple vs. leasehold) when house hunting.

If you're new to the Hawaii real estate market, it's helpful to work with a local Realtor who understands the nuances between private sales, government land, and long-term leaseholds.

📞 Have Questions About Buying in Hawaii?

Whether you're a first-time buyer, military family, or investor, I’m here to help.
Call or text David E. Buck (RB-20368) at 808-371-3509 — your local expert born and raised right here in Hawaii.