The state of Hawaii provides several veteran benefits. This page explains them.
Housing Benefits
Hawaii State Veterans Home
The Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo is a state nursing home for honorably discharged Hawaii resident veterans over 55 who require skilled nursing care and meet the VA requirements for an "eligible veteran". The veteran is responsible for any costs not covered by the VA or medicare. Spouses may be eligible for admission depending on available space.
Special Housing for Disabled Veterans
Payment by the state of up to $5,000 to each qualified, totally disabled veteran for the purpose of purchasing or remodeling a home to improve handicapped accessibility.
Hawaii Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Retired pay and SBP payments are tax-free.
Hawaii National Guard and Reserve drill pay are tax-free. Up to the amount that an E-5 with eight years of service receives for forty-eight drills (equivalent of twelve weekends) and fifteen days of annual training duty is exempt.
Property Tax Exemptions
Real property owned and occupied as a home by a totally disabled veteran or their surviving spouse is exempt from all property taxes.
Vehicles
Vehicle Registration Fee Waiver
Permanently disabled veterans can get a $45.00 discount on the state registration fee. To be eligible, you must be have a service connected 100% VA disability rating, be a Hawaii resident and have an other than dishonorable discharge.
Weight Tax Exemption for Non-Resident Military Service Members
Active duty members stationed in Hawaii who are residents of another state are exempt from payment of Hawaii's motor vehicle weight taxes for one vehicle registered in their name.
Hawaii State Education Benefits
The Hawaii Army National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) offers tuition waivers for eligible members who have completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. The waiver covers 100% of your tuition if you are a community college student, and 50% of your tuition if you are a four-year university student. In order to be eligible for STAP, you must:
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Be pursuing an undergraduate degree
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Be enrolled in courses pertaining to that undergraduate degree
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Be a satisfactory performer in your assigned Hawaii National Guard unit
STAP can also be used in conjunction with your G.I. Bill and Federal Tuition Assistance benefits.
Hawaii State Employment Veterans Preference
Non-disabled veterans receive 5 preference points, disabled veterans receive 10 points. Preference points are added to examination scores completed by applicants for open competitive state employment positions.
Some spouses and surviving spouses of disabled veterans may also be eligible for the 10 point award.
Hawaii Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting Licenses
Active duty military personnel and their dependents stationed in Hawaii are considered to be residents for the purposes of obtaining a hunting license.
Hawaii State Veterans Cemeteries
Hawaii has 7 state veterans cemeteries located in:
- Hilo
- Hoolehua
- Kailua-Kona
- Kaneohe
- Kauna Kakai
- Lanai City
- Lihue
Veterans, spouses, and some dependents are eligible for interment. There may be a small fee charged for burial.
Visit the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services website for more information on any of these programs.
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