Given Hawaii’s prices, buyers here need serious help — but honestly, most of it comes as loans rather than grants. The state’s assistance is sized large (up to $75,000) precisely because it is structured as a second mortgage, not free money.
This guide covers what actually counts as grant money for first-time buyers in Hawaii in 2026 — the help that does not have to be repaid, the truth about the federal grant everyone asks about, and how to find and qualify for it.
Are there really first-time home buyer grants in Hawaii?
Here is the honest answer most sites skip: a true grant is money you never repay, but the majority of what gets marketed as a “first-time home buyer grant” is actually a forgivable loan — a second mortgage that is written off over time as long as you stay in the home. The practical difference is small if you plan to stay put, but it matters if you might sell or refinance early. Hawaii’s programs (through HHFDC and the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center) are mostly loans and below-market rates rather than grants, though early applicants to the newer state loan have received limited closing-cost credits.
For the full difference between grants, forgivable seconds, and deferred loans, our national guide to down payment assistance breaks it down.
Hawaii grant and forgivable-money programs
Here is what counts as grant or near-grant help in Hawaii:
- Hale Kama’aina closing-cost credits — limited grant-like credits (recently up to about $3,000 for the first applicants each offering) attached to HHFDC’s newer below-market first-time buyer loan
- HHOC Down Payment Assistance Loan — a second mortgage of up to $75,000 — a loan, not a grant, but unusually large and sized for Hawaii prices (requires a 700 credit score)
This page focuses on the no-repay and forgivable money. For the full menu — including deferred loans, below-market mortgages, and the Mortgage Credit Certificate — see our complete guide to Hawaii first-time home buyer programs.
The $25,000 first-time buyer grant — is it real?
You have probably seen ads for a “$25,000 first-time home buyer grant” or a “$15,000 first-time buyer tax credit.” Here is the truth as of 2026: both come from proposed federal bills (the Downpayment Toward Equity Act and the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act) that have not become law. No one can give you that $25,000 federal grant today, in Hawaii or anywhere else, because it does not exist yet — so be cautious with any site or “lender” that promises it. We track the real status on our explainer of the $25,000 first-time home buyer grant. The good news: the Hawaii programs above are real, available now, and often just as valuable.
How to qualify for a grant in Hawaii
Grant and forgivable programs in Hawaii share a familiar set of rules:
- Income limits. HHFDC and the HHOC set income limits by household size and county.
- First-time status. First-time status (no ownership in three years) is required, and you must reside in Hawaii.
- Homebuyer education. Nearly every grant program requires a short course, usually free and often online.
- A participating lender. Grants are delivered through approved lenders, not the agency directly, so ask which programs a lender offers — and check our guide to credit score requirements to be sure you qualify for the underlying loan.
- Primary residence. The home must be the one you live in, not an investment property.
How to find down payment grants in Hawaii
Because true grants are scarce in Hawaii, focus on the HHOC down payment loan and any Hale Kama’aina closing-cost credits, and ask about county-level or employer programs that occasionally add grant money.
And before you count on any figure, remember that grant funding runs in cycles and can be exhausted, so always confirm current availability with the program. Our first-time home buyer checklist keeps the rest of your purchase on track.
Hawaii first-time buyer grants FAQ
Do first-time home buyer grants in Hawaii have to be repaid?
Mostly yes. The HHOC Down Payment Assistance Loan (up to $75,000) is a second mortgage you repay, and the Hale Kama’aina program mainly offers below-market rates plus limited closing-cost credits. The closing-cost credits are the closest thing to a grant. So in Hawaii, the big help is a loan — a necessary one given local prices.
Is there a $25,000 grant for first-time buyers in Hawaii?
Not currently. The $25,000 figure comes from a proposed federal bill (the Downpayment Toward Equity Act) that has not become law, so it is not available in Hawaii or any state today. What is available are Hawaii’s real grant and forgivable programs described above, plus the statewide options in our Hawaii programs guide.
Who qualifies for down payment grants in Hawaii?
First-time status (no ownership in three years) is required, and you must reside in Hawaii. HHFDC and the HHOC set income limits by household size and county. You will also complete a homebuyer education course and use a participating lender.
How can I get help buying my first home in Hawaii if there are no big grants?
The most substantial help is the HHOC Down Payment Assistance Loan, which provides up to $75,000 — far more than a typical mainland program — as a second mortgage sized for Hawaii’s prices (it requires a 700 credit score and homebuyer education). Pair it with HHFDC’s below-market Hale Kama’aina loan and any closing-cost credits, plus a Mortgage Credit Certificate where available. Grants are scarce here, so the strategy is to stack loans and credits.