Kohala Community Land Trust Offers Workshops for Homeowners

Buying a home is only the beginning of the journey, not the endpoint. Thatʻs why Kohala Community Land Trust has sponsored a series of workshops for Hawi and Kapaʻau homeowners – and future homeowners – this fall.

Homebuyer Education and Readiness

The first workshop provided education for future homeowners – prospective first time buyers. The non-profit affordable housing developer Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) provided an update on the pathway to apply for their upcoming self-help and turnkey housing opportunities. The key is to be mortgage-ready. One of the steps is to complete financial education and homebuyer education courses with an approved provider – so Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) presented information about their offerings next.

Kohala Community Land Trust will have a similar education requirement and if enough Kohala residents are interested the homebuyer education certification workshops can be offered in Kohala in 2027

Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Developmentʻs Section 8 Program coordinator explained their housing assistance programs. Many attendees were surprised to learn that one of the benefits of being a Section 8 tenant is a program that provides a pathway to homeownership. More Section 8 landlords are needed, so if you have a long-term rental on Hawaiʻi Island, you can find more information here. Plus there are property tax breaks as attendees learned in the next workshop.

Current Issues for Homeowners: Property Tax and Insurance 

The Hawaii County Property Tax Division Administrator presented on the homeowner program available to full time residents; new ʻāina kupuna program for properties owned over 100 years; agricultural dedication; and long term rental programs.

Key Takeaways included:

• There is a difference in what is required for the homeowner exemption, and the homeowner tax rate/class. For example, if you have a hosted short term rental you still get the exemption but lose the advantages of the lower tax rate and cap on appreciation in assessed value
• Remember if you purchase a home during 2026 and submit an application by year-end, your benefit begins July 1, 2027.
• A new program for property owners who are descendants of the owner prior to 1/1/1926 can, with certain other qualifications, dedicate their property for 10 years at only $200/year.
• The deadline to apply under the new agricultural property tax dedication program was extended to October 13th due to the storms. Once your application is received, the tax assessor will make a site visit. Due to the volume of applications, site visits might occur in 2027 or later!
• There are two tax rates for long-term rentals, with a lower rate equal to the homeowner class available to owners renting at affordable rates (guidelines available on the county website).

Tad Nottage of Aloha Insurance Services presented homeowner insurance basics and current issues in obtaining insurance and keeping your property insured. As we are all recovering from this yearʻs storms, this was a hot topic.

Key Takeaways included:

• Basic homeowners insurance (HO-3)includes coverage for fire, lightning, theft, falling objects, sudden accidental water damage. It includes coverage for windstorm but most homeowners will need a separate policy specific to hurricanes.
• Flood is not covered under the basic or HO-3 policy.
• Issues for our aging housing stock include roofs (most carriers prefer 20 years or newer); knob-and-tube style electrical wiring; general property condition, including vegetation and deferred maintenance.

Upcoming Workshops: Title and Estate Planning; ʻOhana Decison Making

Two more workshops for homeowners will be offered on October 10, 2026. All workshops are free of charge, thanks to a generous grant from Atherton Foundation.

From 10 am – noon, presenters will explain two different processes for how families can have the sometimes difficult conversations regarding the future of homes and ʻāina. West Hawaiʻi Mediation Center will present their conflict resolution and mediation processes as an option. Kumu Kamahuilaulani Akana-Park will talk about hoʻoponopono and hoʻokuʻu ka hewa as processes for moving families seeking to move forward in harmony.

From 1 – 3pm,Shauna Kahiapo of Aloha Legacy Law will provide basic information on how to plan for keeping your property and providing for your future generations. Do you have clear title? Do you have documents like a will or trust? What do you need as a homeowner so your property can be passes seamlessly to heirs or sold without difficulties?

LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND BOTH

What is Kohala Community Land Trust, the sponsor of this series?

Kohala Community Land Trust (KCLT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 2024 whose mission is to preserve the availability and affordability of Kohalaʻs housing for future generations of local residents. Because KCLT is a membership organization open to all adult residents of Kohala, it provides a way for the Kohala community to collectively buy back land for housing and other purposes.

If the time comes for a Kohala homeowner to transfer their property outside of the family, they might sell or donate to KCLT, to help keep Kohala, Kohala. When a home transfers to KCLT, the Kohala Community Land Trust holds title to the land while selling or renting the home to another community member at an affordable price.

Check out the KCLT website or Instagram for updates: www.kohalacommunitylandtrust.org