To Rent or Not to Rent in Hawai‘i: Understanding Your Options
By Dan Polimino, Keller Williams Big Island | The Hawai‘i Team
Today, we’re talking about a big question many buyers have: Should you rent out your property in Hawai‘i, or not? And what about a third option—a hybrid model like a 30-day-plus rental?
Nearly every buyer who contacts us at The Hawai‘i Team is interested in a short-term vacation rental. They want to use the property as a second home—typically for two to four weeks a year—and rent it out the rest of the time to generate income.
Because this is such a common goal, demand is through the roof, and unfortunately, the supply doesn’t come close to meeting it. I have a list of 17 active buyers on my whiteboard, all looking for short-term vacation rental properties. If we had the inventory, we’d sell them in a heartbeat—but right now, we simply don’t.
So what are your options?
Option 1: Skip the Rental
Ask yourself: Do you need to rent out the property?
If not, and you’re just looking for a second home, your options open up significantly. There’s a much broader selection of homes and condos that become available to you—ones we can’t offer to buyers limited to short-term rental zones.
Option 2: Consider 30-Day-Plus Rentals
Still want to make money on your Hawai‘i property? Think about doing a 30-day-plus rental.
Many neighborhoods, complexes, and HOAs allow rentals of 30 days or more. These are not considered short-term vacation rentals by definition, so:
-
You don’t need a short-term vacation rental permit
-
You don’t need special permission from the county
-
You simply need to pay your taxes
By listing your property with a minimum 30-day stay, you may still generate rental income—especially with more people now staying in Hawai‘i for extended periods.
I know several owners who rent this way, even without a short-term rental permit, and it’s working out really well for them. It’s a smart intermediate step for buyers who want to generate income without the red tape of vacation rental zoning.
Let’s Talk
If you’re waiting on a short-term rental permit, or you want to start with a more flexible option, the 30-day-plus route might be the answer.
Need help deciding?
Contact us at The Hawai‘i Team:
📞 (808) 989-0891
🌐 TheHawaiiTeam.com
Aloha!
