How to Advertise Your Rental Property in Hawaii

Look, I am not going to sugarcoat it, advertising rentals in Hawaii is weird compared to the mainland. We have been helping landlords list properties here since 2016, and the number one thing people get wrong? They treat it like they're listing a condo in Phoenix or a townhouse in Austin.

Hawaii's different. The laws are stricter. The renters have specific expectations. And if you mess up the short-term rental regulations, you're looking at fines that'll make your eyes water.

So let me walk you through what actually works when you're trying to fill a unit here—whether that's a studio in Waikīkī, an ʻohana in Hilo, or a house in Kihei. This comes from real experience managing thousands of listings across all the islands.

First Things First: Don't Accidentally Break the Law

Here's something that catches mainlanders off guard constantly: you probably can't do short-term rentals.

Back in May 2024, Governor Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2919 into law. Basically gave each county the power to crack down hard on vacation rentals. Why? Because locals can't afford to live here anymore, and a huge chunk of housing stock was being used for Airbnbs instead of actual residents.

Now here's where it gets complicated (welcome to Hawaii):

Oʻahu: You can only do short-term rentals in resort zones OR if you have one of those ancient Non-Conforming Use Certificates from before 1986. Outside those zones? Minimum 30-day period. The City and County of Honolulu will come after you.

Maui: Pretty much the same deal. Residential and ag zones are off-limits for vacation rentals unless you've got the right permits (good luck getting new ones).

Big Island and Kauaʻi: Each county is doing their own thing. Check with Hawaii County Planning or your local office.

The fines? Try $1,000 to $10,000 per day if you're caught advertising an illegal rental. Per day. Yeah.

So unless you've got proper licensing, just advertise long-term rentals (180+ days). Way less headache.

What Hawaii Renters Actually Care About

Okay, assuming you are doing this legally let us talk about what gets people to actually apply for your place.

Mainlanders always focus on granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Cool but that is not what fills units here. Hawaii renters care about:

Can they stay cool without a $600 electric bill? Trade winds, ceiling fans, split AC units, this stuff matters way more than you think. Our electricity costs are insane like 30 to 40 cents per kWh vs. 10 to 15 cents on the mainland.

Is there outdoor space? A covered lanai is basically a second living room here. People want to sit outside without melting.

Where is it really? "Walking distance to the beach" could mean 5 minutes or 45 minutes depending on who is writing the ad. Be specific.

What utilities are included? This is huge. If you cover water and electric, say it loud and proud.

Parking situation? Everyone has a car (or three). No parking = immediate disqualification for most renters.

Getting Your Place Ready to Photograph

Before you even think about writing an ad you need photos that do not look like they were taken on a flip phone in 2007.

Take 20 minutes and do this

• Clean the salt spray off your windows and sliders (I know it comes back in like 3 days, just do it)
• Sweep the lanai and wipe outdoor furniture
• Make sure ceiling fans aren't covered in dust
• Check for mold in corners and closets—humidity is real
• Trim back any overgrown plants so people can see the space
• If you've got plumeria or hibiscus blooming, great. If not, don't fake it with grocery store flowers

Then photograph everything during golden hour. That is early morning or late afternoon. Natural light is your friend.

What to shoot:

• Every room from at least two angles
• The view from your lanai—even if it's just a garden
• Kitchen and bathroom clearly
• Parking spots
• Any outdoor shower, storage, or cool features
• The street view so people know the neighborhood vibe

Honestly, if your photos suck, your listing is dead in the water. Properties with good photos rent 30-50% faster. That's not made up—we see it in our data constantly.

Where to Actually Post Your Listing

Here's the thing: different renters look in different places. Local folks are on Craigslist and Facebook. Mainland people moving here are checking Zillow. Remote workers might be on furnished finder sites.

You need to be everywhere, which sounds exhausting. That's kinda why we built Hemlane to push your listing out to 15+ sites automatically, but I'll give you the breakdown even if you do it manually.

Real talk: if you only post on Craigslist, you're missing like 70% of potential renters. If you only post on Zillow, locals won't see it. Cast a wide net.

Writing an Ad That Actually Gets Responses

Your headline is everything. You have like 3 seconds of someone's attention while they are scrolling.

Good headlines:

• "Furnished 1BR ʻOhana in Hilo - Mountain Views + All Utilities Included"
• "Kailua Studio - 5 Min Walk to Beach + Covered Parking"
• "2BR Lahaina - Ocean Breezes + Washer/Dryer + Pets OK"

Bad headlines:

• "Beautiful Rental Available" (where? what is it?)
• "Paradise Living" (cool story, but tell me something useful)
• "Cozy Apartment" (everyone says that)

Then, in your description, just answer the obvious questions:

Money stuff:

• How much per month
• Security deposit amount
• What utilities are included (be specific)
• Any other fees

The actual property:

• Bedrooms/bathrooms
• Square footage if you know it
• Furnished or not
• Where laundry is (in-unit, shared, or nah)
• Parking details
• AC, fans, or just windows

The lease:

• When they can move in
• How long do you want them to stay
• Pet rules (if you allow them, say the size and breed limits)

Location perks:

• "10-minute walk to Kahala Beach"
• "Right by Hilo Farmers Market"
• "Bike path to UH campus"

Don't write a novel. Use short paragraphs. People are reading this on their phones.

The Legal Stuff You Can't Ignore

Okay, this is boring but important. Fair Housing laws apply here just like everywhere else in the US.

The Fair Housing Act says you cannot discriminate based on race, religion, sex, disability, family status (having kids) or national origin.

You CANNOT say:

• ❌ "Perfect for young professionals"
• ❌ "Ideal for single person"
• ❌ "No kids"
• ❌ "Christian household preferred"
• ❌ "Great for retirees"

You CAN say:

• ✅ "Close to UH campus"
• ✅ "Quiet neighborhood"
• ✅ "Ground floor unit"
• ✅ "No smoking, no pets"

According to the National Fair Housing Alliance, you can get fined $16,000+ for your first violation. Not worth it.

If You're Somehow Doing Legal Short-Term Rentals

Your ad needs to include:

1. Your TAT (Transient Accommodations Tax) license number
2. Your property's Tax Map Key on Oʻahu (thanks to Ordinance 22-7)
3. Your NUC or permit number

Miss these and you're looking at fines of $500-$1,000 per day under state tax law.

If you're advertising 30+ day rentals on an unlicensed property, Honolulu requires this exact disclaimer:

"This property may not be rented for less than 30 consecutive days. Rental prices will not be reduced or adjusted based on the number of days the rental is actually used or occupied."

Fun, right?

Don't Forget About Taxes

Every rental in Hawaii gets hit with:

• GET (General Excise Tax): 4% statewide and 4.5% on Oʻahu
• TAT: 10.25% for stays under 180 days
• OTAT: Extra 3% on Oʻahu for short-term stuff

You need to register with the Hawaii Department of Taxation before you start collecting rent. Just do it. The penalties for not registering are way worse than the hassle of registration.

Island-by-Island: What Actually Works

Every island's a little different. This is what we've learned:

Oʻahu

If you are in Honolulu, people want to know about parking and AC. Traffic's terrible, so proximity to town or good bus access matters.

In Kailua or on the North Shore, lead with the beach lifestyle stuff. These renters don't want to be in Waikīkī, they are escaping it.

Keywords that work: "covered parking," "walk to Ala Moana," "AC in bedrooms" and"H-1 access."

Maui

Be super clear about your lease length. People will ask about short-term because Maui's a vacation spot, but if you're not licensed, shut that down immediately in your ad.

Upcountry is cooler temp-wise, so play that up. Kihei and Lahaina are hot—emphasize your AC or trade wind flow.

Keywords that work: "long-term only," "solar panels," "ocean breeze," "Upcountry cool"

Big Island

Lots of off-grid properties here. If you've got solar or catchment water, mention it—people expect it.

Reliable internet is a huge deal because so many remote workers are moving here. If you have fiber, say it.

Keywords that work: "fiber internet," "solar and battery," "covered parking" and "close to town."

Kauaʻi

People moving to Kauaʻi want peace and quite. They are not looking for nightlife.

Furnished rentals are pretty common on Kauaʻi, so if yours is furnished, that is a selling point.

Keywords that work: "furnished turnkey," "private setting," "garden space" and "walk to beach."

Actually Filling Your Unit Faster

Here's some stuff that works but people don't always think to do:

Make a Quick Video Tour

So many mainland renters can't fly out to see the place first. A 2-minute iPhone video of you walking through the property gets way more responses than just photos.

Just walk slowly, show each room, point out features, step onto the lanai, show the parking situation. Upload it to YouTube as unlisted and put the link in your ad.

We've seen this increase serious inquiries by like 40-60%.

Use the Right Keywords

Rental sites have filters. If your listing does not include these exact words, you will not show up when people search:

• "Furnished" (if it is)
• "AC" or "air conditioning"
• "Utilities included"
• "Walk to beach"
• "Washer and dryer in unit"
• "Pet friendly" (if applicable)

Literally just drop these phrases in your description naturally.

Reply Fast

This market moves quick. Someone who messages you today might tour 3 other places tomorrow and sign a lease by the weekend.

If you cannot respond within 24 hours, you are losing good tenants to landlords who reply in 3 hours.

When someone reaches out, ask them:

• Why are they moving to Hawaii/this island
• When they need to move in
• How many people and pets
• Where they're working or what their income situation is
• How long they want to stay

These questions help you figure out if they're serious before you waste time on a showing.

Price It Right

I know you think your place is worth more. Everyone does. But if comparable units are renting for $2,200 and yours is listed at $2,500, you are going to sit vacant for weeks.

Check Zillow, Craigslist and Facebook to see what similar places are going for. Be honest about your property's condition and location.

Sometimes dropping your price by $100 to $200 a month gets it rented a month faster which ends up netting you more money overall than holding out.

Common Mistakes That'll Cost You

Not saying if it is long-term or short-term: This wastes everyone's time. Be upfront about lease length.

Forgetting to mention AC: Mainland people assume every home has central air. Wrong. If you have AC, say it. If you don't, explain the ventilation situation.

"Hawaii rental available": Which island?? Be specific.

Leaving out utility info: Electric bills shock people here. Tell them what's included upfront.

"Perfect for professionals" or similar phrases: Fair Housing violation. Do not do it.

Handling Showings When You are Not Even on the Island

This is super common, lots of Hawaii landlords live on a different island or back on the mainland.

For local applicants:

• Schedule in-person tours on evenings or weekends
• Use a smart lock for self-guided tours (but verify their ID first)

For off-island applicants:

• FaceTime or Zoom tours work great
• Send them that pre-recorded video
• Have a friend or property manager do an in-person showing if needed

We built the self-guided tour feature into Hemlane because this was such a pain point—it includes biometric ID scanning so you're not just giving your lockbox code to random people.

Should You Just Hire Someone?

Depends on your situation.

Do it yourself if:

• You've got 1-3 units
• You're comfortable with tech
• You want control
• You can handle maintenance coordination

Use Hemlane or similar software $30-60/month to streamline listings, screening and rent collection. Way cheaper than hiring a full property management.

Hire a leasing agent if:

• You just need help finding one tenant
• You're overwhelmed by the process
• You want professional pricing advice

Cost is usually one month's rent. They find the tenant, you manage everything after that.

Hire full property management if:

• You've got multiple properties
• You live far away and can't deal with stuff
• You want completely hands-off

This runs 8-12% of monthly rent plus various fees. In Hawaii's market, good property managers are often fully booked, so start looking early if you go this route.

Real Example: What a Good Listing Looks Like

Here's a template that works:

Furnished 1BR ʻOhana in Hilo – Mountain Views + All Utilities Included

$1,800/month | Available October 1 | Hilo, HI

Private 1-bedroom ʻohana unit with views of Mauna Kea, in a quiet neighborhood about 10 minutes from downtown Hilo and UH Hilo campus.

What you get:

• 500 square feet with your own entrance
• Fully furnished (queen bed, couch, dining table, dishes, everything)
• Covered lanai overlooking the garden
• Ceiling fans plus great cross-breeze from trade winds
• One covered parking spot
• Shared coin laundry on property
• Wi-Fi, water, trash, and electric all included (yes, really)

Lease details:

• Looking for 12-month lease (will consider 6 months minimum)
• Security deposit: $1,800
• Sorry, no pets and no smoking
• You can move in October 1st

Contact: hiloohana@email.com or text (808) 555-1234

See? Simple, clear, answers the obvious questions.

Bottom Line

Advertising rentals in Hawaii isn't rocket science, but it's definitely different from the mainland. Focus on:

1. Staying legal (long-term rentals unless you're properly licensed)
2. Showing climate control and utilities clearly
3. Posting on multiple platforms (not just one)
4. Following Fair Housing laws
5. Responding fast to inquiries
6. Pricing realistically

Whether you're renting out a Waikīkī studio or a Big Island house, these fundamentals work. Just be honest, be clear, and be legal.

How Hemlane Helps

Look, we built Hemlane specifically for landlords who don't want to hire full property management but also don't want to waste hours copying and pasting listings to 15 different websites.

What we do:

• Push your listing to 30+ rental sites automatically
• Handle tenant screening (credit, background, eviction checks)
• Collect rent online with auto late fees
• Coordinate maintenance requests
• Store all your leases and documents
• Track everything for taxes

It's basically property management software that lets you stay in control without doing everything manually.

Useful if you're on the mainland managing a Hawaii property, or if you just have better things to do than log into 10 different websites to update your listing.

We've got a free plan for basic stuff, or you can try the full version free for 14 days at hemlane.com.

Questions People Always Ask

What's the fastest way to fill a Hawaii rental?

Post it everywhere (Zillow, Craigslist, Facebook, local groups), price it competitively, take good photos, and respond to inquiries same-day. Units with good photos and quick responses rent in like 2-3 weeks instead of 6-8 weeks.

Can I still do Airbnb in Hawaii?

Depends on where your property is and whether you have the right permits. Most residential areas on Oʻahu and Maui have banned short-term rentals. If you don't have a license, don't risk it—fines start at $1,000 per day.

Where do locals look for rentals?

Craigslist Hawaii and Facebook Marketplace are huge with locals. Mainland transplants use Zillow more. You need both.

What makes a Hawaii rental fill faster?

AC or good ventilation, included utilities, covered parking, outdoor space, and clear photos. Being close to beaches or town helps too. Furnished units rent faster to traveling workers and military.

Is Zillow free to list on?

First listing is free. After that it's like $10/week. It syndicates to Trulia and HotPads automatically though, so you're hitting 3 sites. Tools like Hemlane include Zillow plus 15 other sites in one subscription, which ends up cheaper if you have multiple properties.

Still need help with advertising your rental property?

If you’re still deciding where to list your rental, we put together a guide on where to advertise your rental property, covering the most common listing sites and what to consider for each.

Last updated December 2025. Hawaii rental laws change constantly, so double-check current regulations with your county planning department before advertising.

Sources we used:

• Hawaii Governor's Office - Short-Term Rental Law Updates
• Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting
• Hawaii County Planning Department
• HUD Fair Housing Act Overview
• National Fair Housing Alliance
• Hawaii Department of Taxation