Veteran Benefits in Hawaii

Veteran Benefits & Resources

Veteran Benefits & Resources in Hawaii

Introduction

Hawaii is home to more than 100,000 military veterans and has a deep connection to military service, with major installations across the islands. With a strong VA presence and a range of state-supported programs, Hawaii provides benefits focused on housing, healthcare, education, and long-term support for veterans and their families.

This guide highlights key benefits, healthcare services, and organizations available in Hawaii so veterans can easily access assistance with education, housing, employment, healthcare, and community support.

Key Veteran Benefits in Hawaii

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Hawaii offers a property tax exemption for disabled veterans, with exemption amounts increasing based on disability rating. Veterans with a 100% disability rating may qualify for the highest exemption levels, depending on the county.

Source:
https://dod.hawaii.gov/ovs

Hawaii Veterans Education Benefits

Hawaii provides education assistance programs for veterans and their dependents, including tuition support at the University of Hawaii system.

Source:
https://dod.hawaii.gov/ovs

Veteran Employment Preference

Veterans receive preference in Hawaii state hiring, improving access to public sector employment.

Source:
https://dhrd.hawaii.gov

Veteran Designation on Hawaii Driver License

Veterans can add a “Veteran” designation to their driver license or ID.

Source:
https://hidot.hawaii.gov

Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services

Provides assistance with VA claims, benefits navigation, and access to veteran support programs.

Source:
https://dod.hawaii.gov/ovs

VA Disability Benefits by Rating in Hawaii

Understanding how your VA disability rating impacts your benefits is especially important in Hawaii, where property tax exemptions and cost-of-living considerations make state benefits especially valuable.

100% Disabled Veterans

Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating receive the highest level of support.

In Hawaii, this includes:

• Maximum Property Tax Exemptions (amount varies by county but can be substantial)
• Full federal VA compensation at the highest rate
• Comprehensive VA healthcare at no cost
• Eligibility for CHAMPVA (dependents) and commissary/exchange privileges
• Access to additional state-level support programs

Given Hawaii’s high cost of living, these exemptions can provide significant financial relief.

70% Disabled Veterans

Veterans rated at 70% disability receive strong federal benefits and some state-level tax relief.

Key benefits include:

• Higher monthly VA compensation
• Priority access to VA healthcare and specialty services
• Eligibility for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
• Partial property tax exemptions depending on rating and county

50% Disabled Veterans

At the 50% disability rating, veterans reach an important healthcare threshold.

This includes:

• No-cost VA healthcare for all conditions
• Increased monthly compensation
• Access to a broader range of VA medical services and prescriptions

Lower Ratings (10%–40%)

Veterans with disability ratings between 10% and 40% still receive meaningful benefits, including:

• Monthly tax-free VA compensation
• VA healthcare for service-connected conditions
• Eligibility for Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) programs
• Limited property tax relief depending on local policies

No matter your rating, working with a Hawaii Veterans Service Officer can help ensure you’re receiving every benefit you’ve earned and assist with increasing your rating if your condition has worsened.