State / Territory Benefits - Hawaii
Department of Transportation Benefits
Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Facilities
Summary: Hawaii offers special benefits for its military Service members and Veterans including State Tax Advantage, Property Tax Exemptions, Hawaii National Guard Tuition Scholarship Program, Vehicle License Plates, Tax exemption on passenger cars, Preference in State and County Classified Employment, as well as State Veterans Cemetery benefits. Eligibility for some benefits may depend on residency, military component, and Veteran disability status.
State Benefit Highlights and Eligibility
State Tax Advantage: None
Federal Tax Advantage: None
Retired Military Pay: Not taxed.
Military Disability Retired Pay: Retirees who entered the military before September 24, 1975, and members receiving disability retirements based on combat injuries or who could receive disability payments from the VA are covered by laws giving disability broad exemption from federal income tax. Most military retired pay based on service-related disabilities also is free from federal income tax, but there is no guarantee of total protection.
VA Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: Not subject to federal or state taxes
Personal Property Tax: Hawaii does not have a personal property tax.
Property Tax Exemptions: Applies to real property that is owned and occupied as a home and passenger cars when they are owned by totally disabled Veterans and subsidized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eligibility: Owned by a totally disabled Veteran or their widow(er).
Military SBP/SSBP/RC SBP/ RSFPP: Generally subject to state taxes for those states with income tax. Check with state Dept. of Revenue Office.
Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program: The Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program provides 100% coverage to community colleges and 50% coverage to four-year colleges.
Eligibility: The member must be enrolled in a degree-producing program. Only captain "O3" and below in rank eligible for benefits.
Employment Assistance: State and city employees receive 15 days military leave per year. Additional 15 days for civil relief on State Active Duty.
Eligibility: State and city employee on orders for Annual Drill or Active Duty.
Preference in State Classified Employment: Preference is given to Veterans, Vietnam-era Veterans, for civil service positions, training programs, job counseling, and referrals to civilian jobs by the Workforce Development Division, Department of Labor & Industrial Relations.
Eligibility: Service-connected, disabled Veterans and their widow(er).
Re-employment rights: Hawaii enforces re-employment rights for State or County government employees.
Eligibility: Veterans, Reservists, or National Guard members who leave a position for training or active military service.
Department of Transportation Benefits:
Special Vehicle License Plates: For the same cost as regular license plates, qualified Veterans can acquire distinctive Veterans' license plates for their car or motorcycle. Currently available are: "Veteran," "Combat Veteran," "Combat Wounded," "Pearl Harbor Survivor," "Purple Heart," "Former POW," "World War II Veteran" "Korean War Veteran," "Vietnam Veteran," and "Persian Gulf Veteran." An application for Specialty License Plates must be submitted to obtain these plates.
Medical Benefits: Workers Compensation equivalent to State employees.
Eligibility: National Guard Service member's injury or illness occurs in Line of Duty (LOD).
Group Insurance: Hawaii Department of Defense Employee Association offers group life insurance for National Guard members, Families, and employees; HNGA offers Guard members and Families a group policy.
Eligibility: Member of Army/Air National Guard.
Workers Compensation: Workers Compensation equivalent to that of State employees.
Eligibility: Injury occurs while serving on State Active Duty.
Injury/Death Benefits: Workers Compensation equivalent to State employees less any VA payments received.
Eligibility: National Guard Service member's injury/Death occurs while serving on State Active Duty.
Parks & Recreation Benefits: None
Vital Statistics: Free certified copies of vital statistics forms when needed for Veterans' claims.
Eligibility: When the Veteran documents are to be used in determining their eligibility to participate in benefits made available by their federal agency.
Special Housing for Disabled Veterans: Payment by the State of up to $5,000 for the purpose of purchasing or remodeling a home to improve handicapped accessibility.
Eligibility: Totally disabled Veteran.
State Veterans Cemetery: Burial in one of the Hawaii State Veterans Cemeteries (HSVC) located on Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, or Lanai is an honor reserved for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their eligible dependents. Family members utilize a one grave concept with interments at 5', 7', and 9' depths. Cremations may be placed in a niche in the columbarium wall or inurned in a ground plot. HSVC will provide a gravesite, marker, perpetual care of the gravesite, and will open and close the grave. The Veteran's Family must pay for mortuary services provided by funeral directors and other related costs, usually including transportation of remains. There is a standard plot or interment allowance fee of $300 for each interment payable to State of Hawaii, Department of Defense. The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay the plot or interment allowance fee ($700) for wartime and peacetime Veterans. Families are responsible to pay the plot allowance fee ($700) for active duty, and dependents.
Eligibility: Active duty military, Veterans who received an other than dishonorable discharge, National Guard and Reservists who were federally activated and received an honorable discharge, Retirees with 20 or more years of service, eligible spouses, and minor children who are under 21 years of age or under 23 years of age if they are pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution. Unmarried adult children who are physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 21 years also are eligible for burial. Note: There is a Hawaii residency requirement.
Retired Military Pay: Not taxed.
Military Disability Retired Pay: Retirees who entered the military before September 24, 1975, and members receiving disability retirements based on combat injuries or who could receive disability payments from the VA are covered by laws giving disability broad exemption from federal income tax. Most military retired pay based on service-related disabilities also is free from federal income tax, but there is no guarantee of total protection.
VA Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: Not subject to federal or state taxes
Personal Property Tax: Hawaii does not have a personal property tax.
Property Tax Exemptions: Applies to real property that is owned and occupied as a home and passenger cars when they are owned by totally disabled Veterans and subsidized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eligibility: Owned by a totally disabled Veteran or their widow(er).
Military SBP/SSBP/RC SBP/ RSFPP: Generally subject to state taxes for those states with income tax. Check with state Dept. of Revenue Office.
Preference in State Classified Employment: Preference is given to Veterans, Vietnam-era Veterans, for civil service positions, training programs, job counseling, and referrals to civilian jobs by the Workforce Development Division, Department of Labor & Industrial Relations.
Eligibility: Service-connected, disabled Veterans and their widow(er).
Special Vehicle License Plates: For the same cost as regular license plates, qualified Veterans can acquire distinctive Veterans' license plates for their car or motorcycle. Currently available are: "Veteran," "Combat Veteran," "Combat Wounded," "Pearl Harbor Survivor," "Purple Heart," "Former POW," "World War II Veteran" "Korean War Veteran," "Vietnam Veteran," and "Persian Gulf Veteran." An application for Specialty License Plates must be submitted to obtain these plates.
Vital Statistics: Free certified copies of vital statistics forms when needed for Veterans' claims.
Eligibility: When the Veteran documents are to be used in determining their eligibility to participate in benefits made available by their federal agency.
Special Housing for Disabled Veterans: Payment by the State of up to $5,000 for the purpose of purchasing or remodeling a home to improve handicapped accessibility.
Eligibility: Totally disabled Veteran.
State Veterans Cemetery: Burial in one of the Hawaii State Veterans Cemeteries (HSVC) located on Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, or Lanai is an honor reserved for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their eligible dependents. Family members utilize a one grave concept with interments at 5', 7', and 9' depths. Cremations may be placed in a niche in the columbarium wall or inurned in a ground plot. HSVC will provide a gravesite, marker, perpetual care of the gravesite, and will open and close the grave. The Veteran's Family must pay for mortuary services provided by funeral directors and other related costs, usually including transportation of remains. There is a standard plot or interment allowance fee of $300 for each interment payable to State of Hawaii, Department of Defense. The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay the plot or interment allowance fee ($700) for wartime and peacetime Veterans. Families are responsible to pay the plot allowance fee ($700) for active duty, and dependents.
Eligibility: Active duty military, Veterans who received an other than dishonorable discharge, National Guard and Reservists who were federally activated and received an honorable discharge, Retirees with 20 or more years of service, eligible spouses, and minor children who are under 21 years of age or under 23 years of age if they are pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution. Unmarried adult children who are physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 21 years also are eligible for burial. Note: There is a Hawaii residency requirement.
Property Tax Exemptions: Applies to real property that is owned and occupied as a home and passenger cars when they are owned by totally disabled Veterans and subsidized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eligibility: Owned by a totally disabled Veteran or their widow(er).
Preference in State Classified Employment: Preference is given to Veterans, Vietnam-era Veterans, for civil service positions, training programs, job counseling, and referrals to civilian jobs by the Workforce Development Division, Department of Labor & Industrial Relations.
Eligibility: Service-connected, disabled Veterans and their widow(er).
State Veterans Cemetery: Burial in one of the Hawaii State Veterans Cemeteries (HSVC) located on Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, or Lanai is an honor reserved for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their eligible dependents. Family members utilize a one grave concept with interments at 5', 7', and 9' depths. Cremations may be placed in a niche in the columbarium wall or inurned in a ground plot. HSVC will provide a gravesite, marker, perpetual care of the gravesite, and will open and close the grave. The Veteran's Family must pay for mortuary services provided by funeral directors and other related costs, usually including transportation of remains. There is a standard plot or interment allowance fee of $300 for each interment payable to State of Hawaii, Department of Defense. The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay the plot or interment allowance fee ($700) for wartime and peacetime Veterans. Families are responsible to pay the plot allowance fee ($700) for active duty, and dependents.
Eligibility: Active duty military, Veterans who received an other than dishonorable discharge, National Guard and Reservists who were federally activated and received an honorable discharge, Retirees with 20 or more years of service, eligible spouses, and minor children who are under 21 years of age or under 23 years of age if they are pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution. Unmarried adult children who are physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 21 years also are eligible for burial. Note: There is a Hawaii residency requirement.
Retired Military Pay: Not taxed.
Military Disability Retired Pay: Retirees who entered the military before September 24, 1975, and members receiving disability retirements based on combat injuries or who could receive disability payments from the VA are covered by laws giving disability broad exemption from federal income tax. Most military retired pay based on service-related disabilities also is free from federal income tax, but there is no guarantee of total protection.
VA Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: Not subject to federal or state taxes
Personal Property Tax: Hawaii does not have a personal property tax.
Property Tax Exemptions: Applies to real property that is owned and occupied as a home and passenger cars when they are owned by totally disabled Veterans and subsidized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eligibility: Owned by a totally disabled Veteran or their widow(er).
Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program: The Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program provides 100% coverage to community colleges and 50% coverage to four-year colleges.
Eligibility: The member must be enrolled in a degree-producing program. Only captain "O3" and below in rank eligible for benefits.
Employment Assistance: State and city employees receive 15 days military leave per year. Additional 15 days for civil relief on State Active Duty.
Eligibility: State and city employee on orders for Annual Drill or Active Duty.
Preference in State Classified Employment: Preference is given to Veterans, Vietnam-era Veterans, for civil service positions, training programs, job counseling, and referrals to civilian jobs by the Workforce Development Division, Department of Labor & Industrial Relations.
Eligibility: Service-connected, disabled Veterans and their widow(er).
Re-employment rights: Hawaii enforces re-employment rights for State or County government employees.
Eligibility: Veterans, Reservists, or National Guard members who leave a position for training or active military service.
Special Vehicle License Plates: For the same cost as regular license plates, qualified Veterans can acquire distinctive Veterans' license plates for their car or motorcycle. Currently available are: "Veteran," "Combat Veteran," "Combat Wounded," "Pearl Harbor Survivor," "Purple Heart," "Former POW," "World War II Veteran" "Korean War Veteran," "Vietnam Veteran," and "Persian Gulf Veteran." An application for Specialty License Plates must be submitted to obtain these plates.
Medical Benefits: Workers Compensation equivalent to State employees.
Eligibility: National Guard Service member's injury or illness occurs in Line of Duty (LOD).
Group Insurance: Hawaii Department of Defense Employee Association offers group life insurance for National Guard members, Families, and employees; HNGA offers Guard members and Families a group policy.
Eligibility: Member of Army/Air National Guard.
Workers Compensation: Workers Compensation equivalent to that of State employees.
Eligibility: Injury occurs while serving on State Active Duty.
Injury/Death Benefits: Workers Compensation equivalent to State employees less any VA payments received.
Eligibility: National Guard Service member's injury/Death occurs while serving on State Active Duty.
Vital Statistics: Free certified copies of vital statistics forms when needed for Veterans' claims.
Eligibility: When the Veteran documents are to be used in determining their eligibility to participate in benefits made available by their federal agency.
Special Housing for Disabled Veterans: Payment by the State of up to $5,000 for the purpose of purchasing or remodeling a home to improve handicapped accessibility.
Eligibility: Totally disabled Veteran.
State Veterans Cemetery: Burial in one of the Hawaii State Veterans Cemeteries (HSVC) located on Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, or Lanai is an honor reserved for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their eligible dependents. Family members utilize a one grave concept with interments at 5', 7', and 9' depths. Cremations may be placed in a niche in the columbarium wall or inurned in a ground plot. HSVC will provide a gravesite, marker, perpetual care of the gravesite, and will open and close the grave. The Veteran's Family must pay for mortuary services provided by funeral directors and other related costs, usually including transportation of remains. There is a standard plot or interment allowance fee of $300 for each interment payable to State of Hawaii, Department of Defense. The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay the plot or interment allowance fee ($700) for wartime and peacetime Veterans. Families are responsible to pay the plot allowance fee ($700) for active duty, and dependents.
Eligibility: Active duty military, Veterans who received an other than dishonorable discharge, National Guard and Reservists who were federally activated and received an honorable discharge, Retirees with 20 or more years of service, eligible spouses, and minor children who are under 21 years of age or under 23 years of age if they are pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution. Unmarried adult children who are physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 21 years also are eligible for burial. Note: There is a Hawaii residency requirement.
Retired Military Pay: Not taxed.
Military Disability Retired Pay: Retirees who entered the military before September 24, 1975, and members receiving disability retirements based on combat injuries or who could receive disability payments from the VA are covered by laws giving disability broad exemption from federal income tax. Most military retired pay based on service-related disabilities also is free from federal income tax, but there is no guarantee of total protection.
VA Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: Not subject to federal or state taxes
Personal Property Tax: Hawaii does not have a personal property tax.
Property Tax Exemptions: Applies to real property that is owned and occupied as a home and passenger cars when they are owned by totally disabled Veterans and subsidized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eligibility: Owned by a totally disabled Veteran or their widow(er).
Employment Assistance: State and city employees receive 15 days military leave per year. Additional 15 days for civil relief on State Active Duty.
Eligibility: State and city employee on orders for Annual Drill or Active Duty.
Preference in State Classified Employment: Preference is given to Veterans, Vietnam-era Veterans, for civil service positions, training programs, job counseling, and referrals to civilian jobs by the Workforce Development Division, Department of Labor & Industrial Relations.
Eligibility: Service-connected, disabled Veterans and their widow(er).
Re-employment rights: Hawaii enforces re-employment rights for State or County government employees.
Eligibility: Veterans, Reservists, or National Guard members who leave a position for training or active military service.
Special Vehicle License Plates: For the same cost as regular license plates, qualified Veterans can acquire distinctive Veterans' license plates for their car or motorcycle. Currently available are: "Veteran," "Combat Veteran," "Combat Wounded," "Pearl Harbor Survivor," "Purple Heart," "Former POW," "World War II Veteran" "Korean War Veteran," "Vietnam Veteran," and "Persian Gulf Veteran." An application for Specialty License Plates must be submitted to obtain these plates.
Vital Statistics: Free certified copies of vital statistics forms when needed for Veterans' claims.
Eligibility: When the Veteran documents are to be used in determining their eligibility to participate in benefits made available by their federal agency.
Special Housing for Disabled Veterans: Payment by the State of up to $5,000 for the purpose of purchasing or remodeling a home to improve handicapped accessibility.
Eligibility: Totally disabled Veteran.
State Veterans Cemetery: Burial in one of the Hawaii State Veterans Cemeteries (HSVC) located on Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, or Lanai is an honor reserved for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their eligible dependents. Family members utilize a one grave concept with interments at 5', 7', and 9' depths. Cremations may be placed in a niche in the columbarium wall or inurned in a ground plot. HSVC will provide a gravesite, marker, perpetual care of the gravesite, and will open and close the grave. The Veteran's Family must pay for mortuary services provided by funeral directors and other related costs, usually including transportation of remains. There is a standard plot or interment allowance fee of $300 for each interment payable to State of Hawaii, Department of Defense. The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay the plot or interment allowance fee ($700) for wartime and peacetime Veterans. Families are responsible to pay the plot allowance fee ($700) for active duty, and dependents.
Eligibility: Active duty military, Veterans who received an other than dishonorable discharge, National Guard and Reservists who were federally activated and received an honorable discharge, Retirees with 20 or more years of service, eligible spouses, and minor children who are under 21 years of age or under 23 years of age if they are pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution. Unmarried adult children who are physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 21 years also are eligible for burial. Note: There is a Hawaii residency requirement.
Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Facilities in Hawaii:
VA Medical Center
Honolulu: VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, 459 Patterson Rd, 808-433-0600 / 808-433-0852
Outpatient Clinic
Honolulu: National Center for PTSD - Pacific Islands Division
Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Hilo: VA Hilo Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 1285 Waianuenue Ave, Suite 211, 1-808-935-3781
Kahului: VA Maui Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 203 Ho'ohana St, Suite 303, 1-808- 871-2454
Kailua-Kona: VA Kona Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 75-377 Hualalai Rd, 1-808-329-0774
Lihue: VA Kauai Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 4485 Pahe'e St, Suite 150, 1-808-246-0497
Vet Center
Hilo: Hilo Vet Center, 70 Lanihuli St, Suite 102, 808-969-3833 / 877-927-8387
Honolulu: Honolulu Vet Center, 1680 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite F-3, 808-973-8387 / 877-927-8387
Kailua-Kona: Kailua-Kona Vet Center, Hale Kui Plaza, Suite 207, 73-4976 Kamanu St, 808-329-0574 / 877-927-8387
Kapolei: Western Oahu Vet Center, 885 Kamokila Blvd, Unit 105, 808-674-2414 / 877-927-8387
Lihue: Kauai Vet Center, 3-3367 Kuhio Hwy, Suite 101, 808-246-1163 / 877-927-8387
Wailuku: Maui Vet Center, 35 Lunalilo St, Suite 101, 808-242-8557 / 877-927-8387
Regional Office
Honolulu: Honolulu Regional Office, 459 Patterson Rd, E-Wing, 800-827-1000
Intake Site
Honolulu: Camp Smith
Honolulu: Fort Shafter
Honolulu: Hickam Air Force Base
Honolulu: Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Honolulu: Pearl Harbor Naval Base
Honolulu: Sand Island Coast Guard
Honolulu: Schofield Barracks
Honolulu: Tripler Army Medical Center (First Floor/E-Wing)
http://www.retirementliving.com/taxes-alabama-iowa#HAWAII
http://hawaii.gov/dod/ovs/benefits
http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?dnum=ALL&STATE=HI
Document Review Date: 6 September 2012