Foreclosures · HI
Hawaii foreclosures by county
Short answer: Hawaii forecloses through the courts, and the process ends at a foreclosure auction, typically 12 to 24 months after the first filing. Filings are recorded with the state Bureau of Conveyances. Below is every Hawaii county, each with its own page on pre-foreclosure filings, the foreclosure auction and the owners to reach before it.
Counties covered
5
Each with its own foreclosure page.
Process
Judicial
Ends at a foreclosure auction.
After the sale
None after the sale
None once the court confirms the sale.
Every Hawaii county
Largest first, by Census population.
| County | County seat | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu County foreclosures | Honolulu | 1,000,000 |
| Hawaii County foreclosures | Hilo | 206,000 |
| Maui County foreclosures | Wailuku | 165,000 |
| Kauai County foreclosures | 73,840 | |
| Kalawao County foreclosures | 81 |
Hawaii foreclosure at a glance
The essentials for finding and working foreclosures. The full process, owner rights and law detail are in the Hawaii foreclosure laws guide.
| Process | Judicial. Every residential foreclosure runs through the courts. |
|---|---|
| The auction | A public foreclosure auction, run by the officer state law assigns and named in the notice of sale. |
| Typical timeline | 12 to 24 months from first filing to sale, uncontested. |
| Where filings are recorded | With the state Bureau of Conveyances. |
| Redemption | None once the court confirms the sale. |
| Deficiency | Allowed in judicial cases. |
Hawaii foreclosure FAQ
Where are Hawaii foreclosure filings recorded?
The lis pendens is recorded with the state Bureau of Conveyances, and the case itself sits on the docket of the court that hears it. The deed after the sale is recorded in the same place. Each county page below says where to look and what each document shows.
Are Hawaii foreclosure auctions sheriff sales or trustee sales?
Neither name fits exactly. Hawaii auctions are run by whoever state law assigns to the process, and the published notice of sale names that officer along with the date, time, place and terms. Search the county page for where those notices appear.
How do I get a Hawaii pre-foreclosure list?
Counties record the filings but rarely publish them as a list. Pre-foreclosure lists are compiled from those records. LowBaller covers all 5 Hawaii counties: scan any ZIP to see owners in pre-foreclosure and at auction, ranked by how close the foreclosure auction is and how much equity they hold.
How long do Hawaii owners have before the foreclosure auction?
Typically 12 to 24 months from the first filing, uncontested. Residential lenders effectively abandoned the non-judicial route after 2011-2012 reforms. During that time the owner keeps title and can sell, which is why the weeks after a filing are when a private offer matters most.
Can I buy a Hawaii home before the foreclosure auction?
Yes, from the owner directly. Until the foreclosure auction the owner holds title, so a sale that pays off the loan stops the foreclosure. You can inspect and run title, which the auction rarely allows, and an owner with equity keeps the difference instead of losing it at the sale.
Keep going
See who is in pre-foreclosure in your Hawaii county today.
Scan your market freeInformational summary, not legal advice. Foreclosure process, timelines, redemption and deficiency rules are summarized at the state level and change by statute and court rule. The published notice of sale controls every date and term. Homeowners facing foreclosure should speak with an attorney or a HUD-approved housing counselor.