Hawaii veteran benefits
Veteran Compass lists 28 Hawaii programs for veterans and their families. Each one links to the official government page, because rules, amounts and deadlines change. This is a guide to what is worth looking into, not a decision about whether you qualify. Federal VA benefits, such as health care, disability compensation and the GI Bill, also apply in Hawaii; see the full directory or use the Benefit Finder.
Burial
Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery Burial
The state veterans cemetery in Kaneohe offers burial for veterans and eligible family members, with the gravesite, marker, perpetual care and opening and closing of the grave provided. The family pays the mortuary and related costs.
Who it may help: Burial is for U.S. Armed Forces veterans and eligible dependents (spouses, certain minor children, and certain disabled unmarried adult children). Proof of service such as a DD214 or VA Statement of Service showing character of discharge is required; a discharge certificate alone is not enough. Gravesites cannot be reserved in advance. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Hawaii Military Funeral Honors
Hawaii's Office of Veterans' Services explains how families can request military funeral honors, including a basic ceremony (flag folding and Taps) and a full-honors option.
Who it may help: The page lists active-duty members, Selected Reserve (Guard or Reserve) members, and former members separated under conditions other than dishonorable, with extra conditions for former Selected Reserve members and a list of people who are not eligible. It names DD Form 214 or NGB Form 22 as documents for confirming eligibility, and families arrange honors through the funeral director. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Education
University of Hawaii Resident Tuition for Military-Connected Students
The University of Hawaii system describes resident-tuition treatment for several military-connected groups, including stationed active-duty members and their authorized dependents, Hawaii National Guard and Reserve members, and certain veterans and survivors using VA education benefits.
Who it may help: Eligibility depends on the group: stationed active-duty members and dependents, Guard and Reserve members, or veterans and some transferred-benefit or survivor-benefit users who live in Hawaii and use programs such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty, Fry Scholarship, Chapter 35, or VR&E. Contact the Residency Officer at your campus. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
UH Manoa In-State Tuition for Covered Veterans and Family (Choice Act)
UH Manoa explains that veterans and certain family members who use specific VA education benefits can receive in-state tuition rates under the federal Choice Act rules, and that the status continues while they stay enrolled.
Who it may help: The page ties eligibility to receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty, or VR&E benefits, being a covered individual, and living in Hawaii when starting school. Spouses and children may be covered through transferred benefits, Fry Scholarship, or DEA benefits. Leaving and later re-enrolling ends covered status. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
UH Manoa Office of Veteran Student Services
A campus office that handles VA education benefit certification and points students to a cost estimator and the Veteran Scholarship Fund run through the UH Foundation.
Who it may help: Intended for veteran and military-connected students at UH Manoa using VA education benefits such as Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35 and 1606. Scholarship fund criteria are not described on the page; confirm with the office. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Honolulu Community College Veterans Services
The campus Veterans Resource Center offers a book lending library, computer access, printed information on veteran services, and counselor sessions through its VITAL program, plus guidance on VA education benefit chapters and military tuition assistance.
Who it may help: The page describes the center as serving student veterans, service members and their dependents. Before applying to the VA for school funding, students identify their education chapter and follow that chapter's checklist. Confirm services with the campus. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Hawaii Army National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program
A tuition reimbursement program for Hawaii Army National Guard members taking University of Hawaii system courses toward a degree, subject to available funding.
Who it may help: The page lists eligible ranks (enlisted, warrant, and junior officer), Hawaii residency as defined by UH, satisfactory unit participation, and undergraduate or incoming UH student status. Enlisted members need an end-of-service date on or after the last day of the class, and completed initial training unless an exception memo is approved. Payment is a reimbursement after finishing a class with the minimum grade stated on the page. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Hawaii Air National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program
A state tuition reimbursement program for Hawaii Air National Guard members attending University of Hawaii system schools, dependent on funding. The page says it can be combined with the Reserve GI Bill (Chapter 1606).
Who it may help: Members must be in an eligible enlisted, warrant, or junior officer rank, be Hawaii residents as defined by UH, remain satisfactory unit members, and be undergraduate or incoming UH students. Enlisted members need an end-of-service date on or after the last day of the class, and training completion or an approved waiver. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Employment
Hawaii Workforce Development Veterans Employment Services
Hawaii's American Job Centers have veterans' employment staff who help with assessment, job search workshops, resume help and referrals, and veterans and eligible spouses get priority for qualified Department of Labor programs.
Who it may help: Open to veterans and other eligible persons, including eligible spouses; transitioning service members can be directed to programs such as SkillBridge. Contact an American Job Center for specifics. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
State of Hawaii SkillBridge Partnership
The State of Hawaii SkillBridge Partnership lets U.S. military service members express interest in SkillBridge experiences with the State, handled through a State SkillBridge Coordinator.
Who it may help: Interested service members submit an inquiry form; the State SkillBridge Coordinator follows up if a match exists. If requested, applicants provide items such as a resume, the State application form, the military SkillBridge approval form, and a commander approval letter. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Family
Hawaii National Guard State Family Program
The Guard's Family Program Office supports Guard members and their families with help on money management, jobs, community resources, child and youth services, counseling, and deployment support.
Who it may help: The page says the program serves Hawaii National Guard members and families regardless of duty status, naming active, reserve and retired personnel. Listed essential services include legal referral, TRICARE information, DEERS/ID cards, financial assistance, crisis intervention and referral, community referrals, and the Exceptional Family Member Program; the page gives no detail on how each works. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Hawaii National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program
Events before, during, and after deployment that connect Guard and Reserve members and families with local health care, education, financial, and legal resources.
Who it may help: Serves Guard and Reserve service members and their loved ones around deployment; the page notes commanders are encouraged to ensure attendance. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Financial
Honolulu Totally Disabled Veteran Home Exemption
The City and County of Honolulu may exempt a home owned and lived in by a veteran who is totally disabled from injuries received in military service, or by a surviving spouse in certain cases.
Who it may help: The home must be owned and occupied by the totally disabled veteran (or veteran and spouse), or by the unmarried widow or widower. One home per person; only the residential portion of a partly business-use property may qualify. Claims go to the Real Property Assessment Division, and filing dates determine when the exemption starts. This entry covers Honolulu only; other counties have their own rules. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Maui County Severely Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Maui County offers a property tax exemption claim for veteran homeowners who have a qualifying severe service-connected disability.
Who it may help: The veteran must own and occupy the property as a principal residence as of the date stated on the form, and the form includes a VA certification section. Claims have a filing deadline stated on the form. This entry covers Maui County only. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Kauai County Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Kauai County lists a larger home exemption for veterans who are at least 80 percent disabled from injuries received on active duty, and a smaller exemption for disabled veterans below that level.
Who it may help: The disability must come from injuries received on duty with the U.S. armed forces and be certified on forms from the Director of Finance. The larger exemption has a stated filing deadline in the year before the tax year, and a surviving spouse may keep it under stated conditions. This entry covers Kauai County only. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Hawaii ERS Military Service Credit
The Hawaii Employees' Retirement System page says people with honorable active service in the U.S. armed forces may be eligible to acquire additional ERS service credit.
Who it may help: The page says honorable active military service in the U.S. armed forces may make you eligible. It points to linked documents on the Servicemen's Act and claims process, and says to contact your personnel office about early-employment service within current employment. Additional requirements apply; confirm with the ERS. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Hawaii Unemployment Insurance for Former Military Members (UCX)
Hawaii's labor department explains unemployment benefits for former service members (UCX), which are federally funded and filed through the state.
Who it may help: Applicants generally must have become unemployed through no fault of their own and have been released under honorable conditions, with service-length rules and some exceptions described on the page. Weekly job-search and reporting requirements apply, and a DD-214 is needed (it can be provided later). Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Hawaii Income Tax Exclusion for Reserve and National Guard Duty Pay
The state tax instructions note that taxpayers may exclude a limited amount of military reserve or Hawaii National Guard duty pay from income, with the limit set in the instructions.
Who it may help: Applies to reserve or Hawaii National Guard duty pay, for tax years the instructions specify. The instructions excerpt reviewed did not address military retirement or disability pay. Confirm with the Hawaii Department of Taxation. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Healthcare
Hawaii State Veterans Homes
Hawaii has two state veterans homes, Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo and Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home in Kapolei, offering post-acute care and rehabilitation for veterans.
Who it may help: The page does not list admission requirements. It directs interested veterans to call the Hilo home or their physician, or to complete the online form for the Oahu home; for eligibility questions, contact the homes or the Office of Veterans' Services. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-25
Hawaii Army National Guard Resilience and Suicide Prevention Program (R3SP)
A program with coordinators for suicide prevention, risk reduction, and prevention that connects commanders and soldiers to state, community, and Army resources on behavioral health and substance abuse.
Who it may help: Described as supporting Hawaii Army National Guard service members and their families. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Legal
Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services Claims and Advocacy Help
The state Office of Veterans' Services lists help preparing VA claims and appeals, representing veterans at VA hearings, advocacy for veterans and families, and referrals for people who do not qualify for VA benefits.
Who it may help: The page does not list eligibility conditions for these services. Contact the Office of Veterans' Services at the number on the page to ask what applies to you. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Hawaii Veterans Treatment Court
A Hawaii Judiciary program for veteran defendants that pairs court supervision with mental health and substance abuse evaluation and treatment, housing and job-training help, and volunteer veteran mentors. The page says it began in the First Circuit (Honolulu) and later expanded to the Third Circuit (Hawaii County).
Who it may help: The program is aimed at defendants who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and have struggled to readjust to civilian life. Participants must follow court-ordered requirements such as weekly court reporting and regular testing. The page does not list the full charge or admission criteria; additional requirements apply, so confirm with the Hawaii State Judiciary. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Other
Hawaii Driver's License Veteran Designation
Veterans can apply to have a veteran designation placed on their Hawaii driver's license.
Who it may help: The page says veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable can apply. It does not list fees or documents on this section; confirm with Honolulu Customer Services or your county office. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Federal Surplus Property Program for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
Hawaii's State Procurement Office says verified veteran-owned small businesses may participate in the state's Federal Surplus Personal Property Program.
Who it may help: A business must be verified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business in the SBA database, have a physical location and active operations in Hawaii, and submit an application packet describing the organization. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Hawaii National Guard Joint Resiliency Support Services
A directory of Guard support contacts, including financial counselors, Work for Warriors employment coordinators for Guard members, families, reservists and veterans, transition advisors, ESGR, and local veteran center locations.
Who it may help: Only the Work for Warriors section states its audience (Guard members, families, reservists and veterans); other listings, such as transition advisors and ESGR, name different audiences or none. The Transition Assistance Advisor, State Family Program Director and SAPR positions are shown as vacant. Additional requirements apply; confirm with the program. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Transportation
Hawaii 100% Disabled Veteran State Vehicle Registration Fee Exemption
Eligible disabled veterans can get an exemption from the state registration fee on one vehicle. It covers the state registration fee only, and the rest of the registration balance is still owed.
Who it may help: Applicants must be Hawaii residents, discharged from the armed forces other than dishonorably, and have a 100 percent service-connected VA rating. The request must be renewed each year, and the vehicle needs current registration and a safety check. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Hawaii Veteran Specialty License Plates
Qualified veterans can get veteran-themed plates, including plates for combat veterans, Pearl Harbor survivors, former POWs and Gold Star families, at the same cost as a regular plate.
Who it may help: You must qualify for the specific plate type; the page does not list the criteria for each one. Applications go through county motor vehicle offices. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Honolulu Veteran 65+ Vehicle Registration Fee Exemption
Honolulu exempts eligible veterans aged 65 or older from the city and county registration fee on one non-commercial vehicle per year. It does not cover the state fee or weight taxes.
Who it may help: Applicant must be a U.S. armed forces veteran, age 65 or older, not dishonorably discharged, and apply in person at a satellite city hall with proof of veteran status, age and vehicle ownership. This is a City and County of Honolulu program. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
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