--- title: "Hawaii Reverse Mortgage Guide (HECM 2026)" description: "Hawaii HECM reverse mortgage guide for homeowners 62+. Understand FHA lending limits for Hawaii's high-value properties, what consumer protections apply, how" lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "HECMAcademy", "url": "https://hecmacademy.com", "description": "Independent, plain-English reverse mortgage education for U.S. homeowners age 62 and older. 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Explains HECM eligibility, costs, protections, and payout options without sales pressure." }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://hecmacademy.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Reverse Mortgage", "item": "https://hecmacademy.com/reverse-mortgage" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Hawaii", "item": "https://hecmacademy.com/reverse-mortgage/hawaii" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Service", "serviceType": "Reverse Mortgage Education", "name": "Hawaii Reverse Mortgage (HECM) Education", "description": "Hawaii HECM reverse mortgage guide for homeowners 62+. Understand FHA lending limits for Hawaii's high-value properties, what consumer protections apply, how HUD-approved counseling works by phone, and whether your Hawaii home may qualify for a reverse mortgage despite high property values.", "url": "https://hecmacademy.com/reverse-mortgage/hawaii", "areaServed": { "@type": "State", "name": "Hawaii" }, "provider": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "HECMAcademy", "url": "https://hecmacademy.com" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are HECMs available in Hawaii?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. HECMs are available throughout Hawaii, including Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai, and Molokai, on eligible primary residences that meet FHA property standards." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Hawaii require additional reverse mortgage counseling?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Hawaii relies on the federal HUD counseling requirement. Before any HECM application, borrowers must complete a HUD-approved counseling session. Phone counseling is available and practical for all islands." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "My Hawaii home is worth over $1 million — how does the HECM limit affect me?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The 2026 FHA HECM limit of $1,249,125 caps the property value used in loan sizing. For a $1.6 million home, the HECM is calculated as if the property is worth $1,249,125. Proprietary reverse mortgages from private lenders are not subject to this FHA cap and may be worth exploring for high-value Hawaii properties." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do Hawaii property taxes interact with a HECM?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "HECM borrowers must keep property taxes current. Hawaii has one of the lowest effective property tax rates in the nation, and all counties offer a home exemption for owner-occupants. Honolulu County additionally offers an Enhanced Low-Income Tax Exemption for qualifying seniors. These benefits can reduce annual tax obligations for HECM borrowers." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can I find a HUD-approved HECM counselor in Hawaii?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Use the HUD HECM Counselor Search (link above) filtered to Hawaii. Phone counseling is available and recommended, as in-person HUD agencies are limited in the state. Counseling is required by federal law before any HECM application." } } ] } ] --- Free HECM guidance — no sales pressure Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm ET [Contact](/contact) [![HECMAcademy — reverse mortgage education](/__l5e/assets-v1/11c6d22b-7f84-4add-8068-34dad2c8a5b7/hecmacademy-logo.png)](/) [How it works](/#how) Learn [Free Guide](/guide)[FAQ](/faq)[Blog](/blog)[Retirement Tax Guide](/retirement-tax-guide)[Heirs Guide](/heirs-guide) By State [California](/reverse-mortgage/california)[Texas](/reverse-mortgage/texas)[Florida](/reverse-mortgage/florida)[Arizona](/reverse-mortgage/arizona)[Colorado](/reverse-mortgage/colorado)[Virginia](/reverse-mortgage/virginia)[Utah](/reverse-mortgage/utah)[Washington](/reverse-mortgage/washington)[Ohio](/reverse-mortgage/ohio)[Illinois](/reverse-mortgage/illinois)[Maryland](/reverse-mortgage/maryland)[North Carolina](/reverse-mortgage/north-carolina)[Oregon](/reverse-mortgage/oregon)[Hawaii](/reverse-mortgage/hawaii) [All states →](/reverse-mortgage) [Calculator](/calculator)[About](/about) [Expert advisor (888) 203-8887 Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm ET ](tel:+18882038887)[Check Eligibility](/#quickcheck) [](tel:+18882038887)[Check Eligibility](/#quickcheck) [HECMAcademy](/) / [State Guides](/reverse-mortgage) / Hawaii State Guide # Reverse Mortgage (HECM) Guide for Hawaii Homeowners 62+ Hawaii has approximately 72,000 homeowner households led by someone 62 or older. With a median home value of $840,000 — among the highest of any state — many Hawaii seniors have accumulated significant housing wealth, particularly on Oahu and Maui. A HECM can allow qualifying Hawaii homeowners to tap that equity without selling, providing income to manage the state's very high cost of living. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2022 1-Year Estimates (Table B25077); U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2022 1-Year Estimates (Table B25007) 2026 FHA Lending Limit ## $1,249,125 Hawaii's high home values mean many properties may exceed the 2026 FHA HECM limit of $1,249,125 — particularly on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. For homes above this ceiling, HECM proceeds are calculated using $1,249,125 as the property value cap, not the full appraisal. Proprietary (jumbo) reverse mortgages from private lenders may allow higher loan amounts for high-value Hawaii properties. Source: HUD Mortgagee Letter 2025-21 ## Hawaii Reverse Mortgage Protections Hawaii does not impose additional reverse mortgage counseling requirements beyond the federal HUD mandate. Hawaii's general consumer protection laws (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 480) apply to mortgage lenders. The Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions regulates mortgage lenders operating in the state. Source: Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 480; Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions ## HUD-Approved Counseling in Hawaii Federal law requires an independent counseling session before any HECM application. Counseling can be done by phone and typically takes 60–90 minutes. [Find a HUD-approved counselor in Hawaii →](https://hudapps.hud.gov/HUDApps/HECMCounselorsApp/?state=HI) ## Hawaii HECM FAQ ### Are HECMs available in Hawaii? Yes. HECMs are available throughout Hawaii, including Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai, and Molokai, on eligible primary residences that meet FHA property standards. ### Does Hawaii require additional reverse mortgage counseling? No. Hawaii relies on the federal HUD counseling requirement. Before any HECM application, borrowers must complete a HUD-approved counseling session. Phone counseling is available and practical for all islands. ### My Hawaii home is worth over $1 million — how does the HECM limit affect me? The 2026 FHA HECM limit of $1,249,125 caps the property value used in loan sizing. For a $1.6 million home, the HECM is calculated as if the property is worth $1,249,125. Proprietary reverse mortgages from private lenders are not subject to this FHA cap and may be worth exploring for high-value Hawaii properties. ### How do Hawaii property taxes interact with a HECM? HECM borrowers must keep property taxes current. Hawaii has one of the lowest effective property tax rates in the nation, and all counties offer a home exemption for owner-occupants. Honolulu County additionally offers an Enhanced Low-Income Tax Exemption for qualifying seniors. These benefits can reduce annual tax obligations for HECM borrowers. ### Where can I find a HUD-approved HECM counselor in Hawaii? Use the HUD HECM Counselor Search (link above) filtered to Hawaii. Phone counseling is available and recommended, as in-person HUD agencies are limited in the state. Counseling is required by federal law before any HECM application. ### Compare nearby states - [Reverse Mortgage Guide for California →](/reverse-mortgage/california) - [Reverse Mortgage Guide for Washington →](/reverse-mortgage/washington) [Estimate your HECM — Hawaii homeowners →](/#prequal?src=state_hawaii) Reviewed by the HECMAcademy Editorial Team · Last updated June 2026 · [How we vet this content](/about#editorial-standards) ## Get the Free HECM Guide (PDF) An 8-page plain-English guide to how the FHA HECM works — sent straight to your inbox. Company website First nameLast name EmailPhoneZIP code Age range 55-6162-6970-7980+ I agree to receive calls and texts from HECM Academy about reverse mortgages. Not required to get the guide. Reply STOP to opt out. Send Me the Guide We never sell your information. [Privacy policy](/privacy-policy). HECMAcademy is not a lender. This is educational information only. By submitting, you agree to receive our free HECM educational guide and follow-up emails. Unsubscribe anytime. Talk to a HUD-approved counselor Free, independent, and required before any HECM. Not affiliated with HECMAcademy. [1-800-569-4287](tel:+18005694287)[Search by ZIP →](https://hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm) HECMAcademy Independent education for homeowners 62+ exploring HECM and jumbo proprietary reverse mortgages. Not a lender, broker, or financial advisor. 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