Dividend Withholding Tax in Honolulu

Federal withholding on dividends paid to nonresidents is 30% before a tax treaty. Treaties often reduce that rate.

Studio Purchase Price (City Center) in Honolulu

Ala Moana-Kakaako listings in October 2026 were about $1,137 per sq ft, about $12,240 per m2. A 40 m2 studio at that rate is about $490,000. The neighborhood median listing is $826,750.

Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) in Honolulu

Kalihi-Palama listings in October 2026 were about $550 per sq ft, about $5,920 per m2. A 40 m2 studio at that rate is about $237,000. The neighborhood median listing is $377,475.

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) in Honolulu

Same Ala Moana-Kakaako listing rate, about $12,240 per m2. A 60 m2 apartment at that rate is about $734,000. September 2026 closed condo median there, all sizes, was $840,000.

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) in Honolulu

Kalihi-Palama listing rate, about $5,920 per m2. A 60 m2 apartment at that rate is about $355,000. Makiki-Moiliili closed condo median in September 2026 was $390,000.

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) in Honolulu

Ala Moana-Kakaako listing rate, about $12,240 per m2. An 80 m2 apartment at that rate is about $979,000. That is a rate times a size, not a closed two-bedroom sale.

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) in Honolulu

Kalihi-Palama listing rate, about $5,920 per m2. An 80 m2 apartment at that rate is about $474,000. Pearl City-Aiea closed condo median in September 2026 was $420,000.

Corporate Tax in Honolulu

Federal corporate tax is 21%. Hawaii is 4.4% on taxable income up to $25,000, 5.4% over $25,000 up to $100,000, and 6.4% over $100,000.

Tax System in Honolulu

US citizens are taxed on worldwide income. Non-citizens who meet the substantial-presence test, a weighted 183 days, are US tax residents. Hawaii adds its own income tax, with a 2026 top rate of 11%.

Highest Income Tax Bracket in Honolulu

Federal top rate 37% in 2026. Hawaii top rate 11% in 2026 (Tax Foundation: single filers over $325,000). Act 24 schedules a new 13% Hawaii bracket for tax years 2027 and 2029.

No VAT. State general excise tax is 4%, plus a 0.5% Honolulu surcharge, so 4.5%. If a business passes the tax on, the maximum rate is 4.712% through 31 December 2030.

Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules in Honolulu

Federal rules tax US shareholders on GILTI, also called NCTI. Hawaii does not include GILTI or NCTI in its state corporate tax base.

Property Tax in Honolulu

For July 2026 to June 2027, Residential (home exemption) is $3.50 per $1,000, 0.35%. Residential A, no home exemption and assessed at $1 million or more, is $4.00 per $1,000 on the first $1 million and $11.40 per $1,000 above that.

Property Transaction Tax in Honolulu

Conveyance tax runs from $0.10 per $100 (under $600,000) to $1.00 per $100 (at $10 million or more). A condo or house bought by someone who cannot take the homeowner exemption is $0.15 to $1.25 per $100.

Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads in Honolulu

No digital-nomad visa and no nomad tax rate. Visitor entry is ESTA or a visa, and that status does not authorize US employment. US citizens are taxed on worldwide income. Hawaii top rate is 11% in 2026, on top of federal tax up to 37%.

Honolulu, on the south shore of Oahu, Hawaii, United States. State capital and seat of the City and County of Honolulu.

Population in Honolulu

Urban Honolulu 341,868 (Census estimate, 1 July 2025) and 350,964 at the 2020 census. The City and County, the whole of Oahu, was 998,747 on 1 July 2024 and 1,016,508 at the 2020 census.

Internet Speed in Honolulu

A cited Ookla median for Honolulu is 260 Mbps down. Spectrum advertises cable up to 1,000 Mbps at a promo $30 to $60 a month. Hawaiian Telcom fiber goes up to 3,000 Mbps where the address qualifies.

Currency & Banking in Honolulu

US dollar (USD). City-based banks include Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, American Savings Bank and Central Pacific Bank. Mainland banks have little local presence.

Tap Water in Honolulu

Municipal water is drinkable. The Board of Water Supply July 2026 report says results meet federal and state rules. Supply is chlorinated groundwater from the volcanic aquifers. Follow any local boil-water notice.

120 V, 60 Hz. Plug types A and B.

T-Mobile prepaid unlimited is $45 a month with AutoPay ($50 the first month, plus tax); a higher tier is $60 with AutoPay. Visible unlimited on Verizon is $25 a month, taxes included. Activation asks for ID; eSIM is sold online.

Banking for Expats in Honolulu

Day-to-day banking is with the Hawaii banks headquartered in town: First Hawaiian Bank, Bank of Hawaii, American Savings Bank and Central Pacific Bank. Mainland US banks barely operate here.

Accommodation in Honolulu

A one-bedroom averages about $2,300 a month (RentCafe $2,302, Zumper $2,300, October 2026). Furnished monthly stays run about $2,400 to $3,400. A mid-range Waikiki hotel averages about $285 a night.

Cashless Friendly in Honolulu

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, including contactless. Some small shops set a card minimum or add a small fee.

Short Term Rentals in Honolulu

Stays under 30 days are short-term rentals and are allowed only in the resort district and a few apartment zones, and only if registered. The planning department enforces that 30-day line. New nonconforming certificates are not issued.

Best Area to Stay for Tourists in Honolulu

Waikiki, between the Ala Wai Canal and the ocean, next to Diamond Head. Most of Oahu hotel rooms are there. A mid-range room averages about $285 a night.

Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads in Honolulu

Kakaako, the redeveloped district between downtown and Waikiki, for newer apartments. Hawaii Coworking is at 438 Hobron Lane, on the Waikiki edge. Stays under 30 days are legal mainly in the Waikiki resort district.

Best Coworking Space in Honolulu

Hawaii Coworking, 438 Hobron Lane: $35 a day (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) or $275 a month. A booking listing for Impact Hub Honolulu shows a hot desk at $20 a day or $215 a month.

Best Taxi/Ride App in Honolulu

holoholo, the local rideshare, posts the fare up front with no surge and covers the airport, Waikiki and the rest of Oahu. Charley's Taxi flag drop is $4.80.

Bike/Scooter Rental in Honolulu

Biki bikeshare, not a scooter fleet. A one-way ride is $5 for 30 minutes. The Voyager membership is $30 a month for unlimited rides of 45 minutes or less. Extra time is $5.25 per 30 minutes. Prices exclude tax.

Best Beach Nearby in Honolulu

Ala Moana Beach Park, the large shoreline park beside Ala Moana Center. Waikiki Beach is the tourist beach, between the Ala Wai Canal and Diamond Head.

Top Regional Airline in Honolulu

Hawaiian Airlines, about 140 daily neighbor-island flights on Boeing 717s. From 3 October 2026 Alaska Airlines adds three daily Boeing 737 round trips between Honolulu and Kahului.

Top International Airline in Honolulu

Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines hub at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). International departures use Terminal 2, Lobby 4.

Highway Access in Honolulu

Interstate H-1 runs from Kapolei past the airport and Pearl City, through downtown, Makiki and Kaimuki, and ends at Waialae as Kalanianaole Highway. H-3 crosses to Kaneohe.

Main Train/Transit Hub in Honolulu

Skyline is open from East Kapolei to Kalihi Transit Center, 13 stations, since 16 October 2025. It does not yet reach downtown or Ala Moana. Civic Center service is aimed at 2031. TheBus shares the HOLO card and covers Waikiki.

Public Transport Passes in Honolulu

HOLO card on TheBus and Skyline: $3 for a 2-hour pass, $7.50 day cap, $90 monthly pass or month cap, from 1 July 2026. Cash on TheBus is $3.25 with no transfer. The card costs $2.

Regional Travel in Honolulu

Neighbor islands are a flight. Hawaiian runs about 140 interisland flights a day. There is no regular inter-island passenger ferry.

Best Hospital in Honolulu

The Queen's Medical Center, 1301 Punchbowl Street, 575 acute beds, the largest private nonprofit hospital in the city. Main number 808-691-1000.

Laundry Services in Honolulu

A 2026 city price survey puts a coin-laundry load at about $4 to $5. No single laundromat was confirmed on its own site.

Best Food Delivery App in Honolulu

Uber Eats delivers from Honolulu restaurants and some shops. Its city page, updated 3 April 2026, lists places such as Longs Drugs.

Best Local Dish to Try in Honolulu

Poke. Ono Seafood on Kapahulu Avenue sells it by the bowl. An October 2026 menu mirror lists bowls at $17 and shoyu ahi at $38 a pound.

Vegan/Vegetarian Options in Honolulu

Veggi Dogs, a plant-based cart, sells at the Saturday KCC Farmers Market at 4303 Diamond Head Road.

Best Dessert Spots in Honolulu

Leonard's Bakery, 933 Kapahulu Avenue, open daily 5:30am to 7pm. An October 2026 menu check put an original malasada at $2.25 and a filled puff at $2.75.

Affordable Shopping Spots in Honolulu

KCC Farmers Market, Saturdays 7:30am to 11:00am, parking lot at 4303 Diamond Head Road, for local produce and cooked food. Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard, is the main mall.

E-commerce/Online Store in Honolulu

Most goods are shipped in from the mainland, so online orders move by air or by sea rather than by overnight ground.

Grocery Delivery in Honolulu

Uber Eats lists grocery and drugstore delivery in Honolulu, including Longs Drugs.

Bar/Nightlife Area in Honolulu

Waikiki, along Kalakaua Avenue, for visitor nightlife. Chinatown, including the old Hotel Street district, is the downtown bar and arts strip. Aloha Beer is the Kakaako beer garden at 700 Queen Street.

Local Brewery in Honolulu

Aloha Beer Company, 700 Queen Street, Kakaako. Happy hour takes $1 off pints, Sunday to Thursday, 2pm to 5pm. Oil cans to go start at $10.

Street Food Stalls in Honolulu

KCC Farmers Market, Saturdays 7:30am to 11:00am at 4303 Diamond Head Road, has cooked-food stalls. Kakaako Farmers Market is Saturdays 8am to noon at 919 Ala Moana Boulevard.

Popular International Cuisine in Honolulu

Japanese food is the most widespread non-local cuisine. The Pig and the Lady serves Vietnamese street food at the Saturday KCC Farmers Market.

Honolulu Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information

Researched Updated Oct 22, 2026 Last changed Oct 31, 2026 About guide entries

Business

Dividend Withholding Tax: Federal withholding on dividends paid to nonresidents is 30% before a tax treaty. Treaties often reduce that rate. 49
Studio Purchase Price (City Center): Ala Moana-Kakaako listings in October 2026 were about $1,137 per sq ft, about $12,240 per m2. A 40 m2 studio at that rate is about $490,000. The neighborhood median listing is $826,750. 17
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City): Kalihi-Palama listings in October 2026 were about $550 per sq ft, about $5,920 per m2. A 40 m2 studio at that rate is about $237,000. The neighborhood median listing is $377,475. 17
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center): Same Ala Moana-Kakaako listing rate, about $12,240 per m2. A 60 m2 apartment at that rate is about $734,000. September 2026 closed condo median there, all sizes, was $840,000. 17 18
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City): Kalihi-Palama listing rate, about $5,920 per m2. A 60 m2 apartment at that rate is about $355,000. Makiki-Moiliili closed condo median in September 2026 was $390,000. 17 18
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center): Ala Moana-Kakaako listing rate, about $12,240 per m2. An 80 m2 apartment at that rate is about $979,000. That is a rate times a size, not a closed two-bedroom sale. 17
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City): Kalihi-Palama listing rate, about $5,920 per m2. An 80 m2 apartment at that rate is about $474,000. Pearl City-Aiea closed condo median in September 2026 was $420,000. 17 18
Corporate Tax: Federal corporate tax is 21%. Hawaii is 4.4% on taxable income up to $25,000, 5.4% over $25,000 up to $100,000, and 6.4% over $100,000. 12 49
Tax System: US citizens are taxed on worldwide income. Non-citizens who meet the substantial-presence test, a weighted 183 days, are US tax residents. Hawaii adds its own income tax, with a 2026 top rate of 11%. 44 14
Highest Income Tax Bracket: Federal top rate 37% in 2026. Hawaii top rate 11% in 2026 (Tax Foundation: single filers over $325,000). Act 24 schedules a new 13% Hawaii bracket for tax years 2027 and 2029. 14 15
VAT: No VAT. State general excise tax is 4%, plus a 0.5% Honolulu surcharge, so 4.5%. If a business passes the tax on, the maximum rate is 4.712% through 31 December 2030. 11
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules: Federal rules tax US shareholders on GILTI, also called NCTI. Hawaii does not include GILTI or NCTI in its state corporate tax base. 48 49
Property Tax: For July 2026 to June 2027, Residential (home exemption) is $3.50 per $1,000, 0.35%. Residential A, no home exemption and assessed at $1 million or more, is $4.00 per $1,000 on the first $1 million and $11.40 per $1,000 above that. 16
Property Transaction Tax: Conveyance tax runs from $0.10 per $100 (under $600,000) to $1.00 per $100 (at $10 million or more). A condo or house bought by someone who cannot take the homeowner exemption is $0.15 to $1.25 per $100. 13
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads: No digital-nomad visa and no nomad tax rate. Visitor entry is ESTA or a visa, and that status does not authorize US employment. US citizens are taxed on worldwide income. Hawaii top rate is 11% in 2026, on top of federal tax up to 37%. 45 44 14

Essentials

City: Honolulu, on the south shore of Oahu, Hawaii, United States. State capital and seat of the City and County of Honolulu. 2
Population: Urban Honolulu 341,868 (Census estimate, 1 July 2025) and 350,964 at the 2020 census. The City and County, the whole of Oahu, was 998,747 on 1 July 2024 and 1,016,508 at the 2020 census. 1 2 52
Internet Speed: A cited Ookla median for Honolulu is 260 Mbps down. Spectrum advertises cable up to 1,000 Mbps at a promo $30 to $60 a month. Hawaiian Telcom fiber goes up to 3,000 Mbps where the address qualifies. 38 37
Currency & Banking: US dollar (USD). City-based banks include Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, American Savings Bank and Central Pacific Bank. Mainland banks have little local presence. 2 46
Tap Water: Municipal water is drinkable. The Board of Water Supply July 2026 report says results meet federal and state rules. Supply is chlorinated groundwater from the volcanic aquifers. Follow any local boil-water notice. 10 55 56
Power: 120 V, 60 Hz. Plug types A and B. 46
SIM Card: T-Mobile prepaid unlimited is $45 a month with AutoPay ($50 the first month, plus tax); a higher tier is $60 with AutoPay. Visible unlimited on Verizon is $25 a month, taxes included. Activation asks for ID; eSIM is sold online. 4 5
Banking for Expats: Day-to-day banking is with the Hawaii banks headquartered in town: First Hawaiian Bank, Bank of Hawaii, American Savings Bank and Central Pacific Bank. Mainland US banks barely operate here. 2
Accommodation: A one-bedroom averages about $2,300 a month (RentCafe $2,302, Zumper $2,300, October 2026). Furnished monthly stays run about $2,400 to $3,400. A mid-range Waikiki hotel averages about $285 a night. 39 40 41 42
Cashless Friendly: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, including contactless. Some small shops set a card minimum or add a small fee. 46
Short Term Rentals: Stays under 30 days are short-term rentals and are allowed only in the resort district and a few apartment zones, and only if registered. The planning department enforces that 30-day line. New nonconforming certificates are not issued. 19
Best Area to Stay for Tourists: Waikiki, between the Ala Wai Canal and the ocean, next to Diamond Head. Most of Oahu hotel rooms are there. A mid-range room averages about $285 a night. 2 42
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads: Kakaako, the redeveloped district between downtown and Waikiki, for newer apartments. Hawaii Coworking is at 438 Hobron Lane, on the Waikiki edge. Stays under 30 days are legal mainly in the Waikiki resort district. 2 57 19

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space: Hawaii Coworking, 438 Hobron Lane: $35 a day (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) or $275 a month. A booking listing for Impact Hub Honolulu shows a hot desk at $20 a day or $215 a month. 7 57 20

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App: holoholo, the local rideshare, posts the fare up front with no surge and covers the airport, Waikiki and the rest of Oahu. Charley's Taxi flag drop is $4.80. 35 43
Bike/Scooter Rental: Biki bikeshare, not a scooter fleet. A one-way ride is $5 for 30 minutes. The Voyager membership is $30 a month for unlimited rides of 45 minutes or less. Extra time is $5.25 per 30 minutes. Prices exclude tax. 6 2
Best Beach Nearby: Ala Moana Beach Park, the large shoreline park beside Ala Moana Center. Waikiki Beach is the tourist beach, between the Ala Wai Canal and Diamond Head. 2 62
Top Regional Airline: Hawaiian Airlines, about 140 daily neighbor-island flights on Boeing 717s. From 3 October 2026 Alaska Airlines adds three daily Boeing 737 round trips between Honolulu and Kahului. 33
Top International Airline: Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines hub at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). International departures use Terminal 2, Lobby 4. 33 2
Highway Access: Interstate H-1 runs from Kapolei past the airport and Pearl City, through downtown, Makiki and Kaimuki, and ends at Waialae as Kalanianaole Highway. H-3 crosses to Kaneohe. 2
Main Train/Transit Hub: Skyline is open from East Kapolei to Kalihi Transit Center, 13 stations, since 16 October 2025. It does not yet reach downtown or Ala Moana. Civic Center service is aimed at 2031. TheBus shares the HOLO card and covers Waikiki. 34 63
Public Transport Passes: HOLO card on TheBus and Skyline: $3 for a 2-hour pass, $7.50 day cap, $90 monthly pass or month cap, from 1 July 2026. Cash on TheBus is $3.25 with no transfer. The card costs $2. 3
Regional Travel: Neighbor islands are a flight. Hawaiian runs about 140 interisland flights a day. There is no regular inter-island passenger ferry. 33

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital: The Queen's Medical Center, 1301 Punchbowl Street, 575 acute beds, the largest private nonprofit hospital in the city. Main number 808-691-1000. 8 58
Laundry Services: A 2026 city price survey puts a coin-laundry load at about $4 to $5. No single laundromat was confirmed on its own site. 54

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App: Uber Eats delivers from Honolulu restaurants and some shops. Its city page, updated 3 April 2026, lists places such as Longs Drugs. 36
Best Local Dish to Try: Poke. Ono Seafood on Kapahulu Avenue sells it by the bowl. An October 2026 menu mirror lists bowls at $17 and shoyu ahi at $38 a pound. 53 61
Vegan/Vegetarian Options: Veggi Dogs, a plant-based cart, sells at the Saturday KCC Farmers Market at 4303 Diamond Head Road. 27
Best Dessert Spots: Leonard's Bakery, 933 Kapahulu Avenue, open daily 5:30am to 7pm. An October 2026 menu check put an original malasada at $2.25 and a filled puff at $2.75. 21 22 59
Affordable Shopping Spots: KCC Farmers Market, Saturdays 7:30am to 11:00am, parking lot at 4303 Diamond Head Road, for local produce and cooked food. Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard, is the main mall. 27 2
E-commerce/Online Store: Most goods are shipped in from the mainland, so online orders move by air or by sea rather than by overnight ground. 2
Grocery Delivery: Uber Eats lists grocery and drugstore delivery in Honolulu, including Longs Drugs. 36
Bar/Nightlife Area: Waikiki, along Kalakaua Avenue, for visitor nightlife. Chinatown, including the old Hotel Street district, is the downtown bar and arts strip. Aloha Beer is the Kakaako beer garden at 700 Queen Street. 2 23 60
Local Brewery: Aloha Beer Company, 700 Queen Street, Kakaako. Happy hour takes $1 off pints, Sunday to Thursday, 2pm to 5pm. Oil cans to go start at $10. 23 60
Street Food Stalls: KCC Farmers Market, Saturdays 7:30am to 11:00am at 4303 Diamond Head Road, has cooked-food stalls. Kakaako Farmers Market is Saturdays 8am to noon at 919 Ala Moana Boulevard. 27 51
Popular International Cuisine: Japanese food is the most widespread non-local cuisine. The Pig and the Lady serves Vietnamese street food at the Saturday KCC Farmers Market. 2 27

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks: Diamond Head State Monument (Leahi). Nonresidents pay $5 to enter and $10 to park, by card, and need a reservation. Hawaii residents are free with a state ID. Open 6am to 6pm, last entry 4:30pm. 9 69
Museums & Art Venues: Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, open daily 9am to 5pm. Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 South Beretania Street. Iolani Palace, 364 South King Street. 24 25 2 65 70
Historical Sites: Pearl Harbor National Memorial, 1 Arizona Memorial Place. Grounds and museums are free; reserve a program for the USS Arizona. Iolani Palace, 364 South King Street, is the only royal palace in the United States. 26 25 68 71
Religious Sites: Kawaiahao Church, downtown, holds Sunday services at 9:30am, including the 2026 Alii Sundays. Byodo-In Temple, 47-200 Kahekili Highway, Kaneohe, on the windward side, is open 8:30am to 4:30pm. 31 30
Annual Events: Honolulu Marathon, the Great Aloha Run and the Honolulu Triathlon are the three large annual road races. 2
Cultural Districts: Chinatown Arts District, about 12 blocks bounded by Bethel and Smith Streets and by Nimitz and Beretania, inside the Chinatown Historic District. Kakaako is the redeveloped district between downtown and Waikiki. 2
Theater Venues: Hawaii Theatre, 1130 Bethel Street, and the Neal S. Blaisdell Center concert hall and arena. 2 66
Local Markets: KCC Farmers Market, every Saturday 7:30am to 11:00am, Kapiolani Community College parking, 4303 Diamond Head Road. An ATM is on site. 27
Music Scene: Blue Note Hawaii, inside the Outrigger Waikiki at 2335 Kalakaua Avenue, 326 seats, nightly. Larger rooms are Hawaii Theatre and the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. The Waikiki Shell is the outdoor shell. 28 2 73
Street Art: Chinatown Arts District, Bethel to Smith and Nimitz to Beretania, is the concentrated arts walk. Kakaako is the other redeveloped strip between downtown and Waikiki. 2
Art Galleries: Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 South Beretania Street, holds the main Asian and Western collection. The Hawaii State Art Museum is downtown and shows work by local artists. 2 65
Historic Buildings: Aliiolani Hale, 417 South King Street, houses the Judiciary administrative offices. Iolani Palace is next door at 364 South King Street. The Hawaii State Library, 478 South King Street, opened in 1913. 50 25 29
Local Heritage: Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States and a National Historic Landmark. Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, is the state museum of natural and cultural history. 25 24

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes: Manoa Falls Trail, a rainforest walk in Manoa Valley. Nuuanu Pali State Wayside, on the Koolau cliffs, looks over the windward coast. Winds are strong enough to lean on. 64 32
National Parks Nearby: Oahu has no national park. Pearl Harbor National Memorial, 1 Arizona Memorial Place, is the National Park Service site, and the grounds are free. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is on Hawaii Island, a neighbor-island flight from HNL. 26 33 68
Cycling/Walking Paths: Biki stations run from Chinatown and Downtown toward Diamond Head. Ala Moana Beach Park is the flat shoreline park beside the mall. 2 6 62
Scenic Viewpoints: Nuuanu Pali State Wayside, daily 6am to 6pm. Nonresidents pay $7 a vehicle. Residents park free. The lookout is at about 1,200 feet on the Koolau cliffs, and the wind is usually severe. 32
Birdwatching Locations: Foster Botanical Garden, downtown in the capitol district, is the planted city spot. Bishop Museum also keeps a native garden. 2 67 24

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service: Most goods are imported, so mainland parcels move by air or by sea rather than by road. 2
Libraries & Study Spots: Hawaii State Library, 478 South King Street, next to Iolani Palace. The Carnegie building opened on 1 February 1913. Phone 808-586-3500. 29 72
Casino & Gaming Halls: No casinos. Knowingly taking part in gambling is a misdemeanor under Hawaii Revised Statutes 712-1223. A 2026 cruise-ship gaming bill was opposed and is not law. 47

About these guide entries

Method: Researched
Last updated: Oct 22, 2026
Last changed: Oct 31, 2026

Checked against the sources below and compared with similar cities. Numbers in the list point to these sources.

Census QuickFacts Urban Honolulu CDPOfficial
HonoluluReference
TheBus and Skyline HOLO faresOfficial
T-Mobile prepaid plansOfficial
Visible plansOfficial
Biki Voyager membershipOfficial
Hawaii Coworking day and month ratesOfficial
The Queen's Medical CenterOfficial
Diamond Head State Monument feesOfficial
Board of Water Supply quality reportsOfficial
Hawaii GET and Honolulu pass-on rateOfficial
HRS 235-71 corporate income taxOfficial
Form P-64A conveyance tax instructions, rev. 2025Official
Tax Foundation 2026 state income tax ratesProfessional
Hawaii Tax Announcement 2026-06, Act 24Official
Honolulu real property tax rates FY2026-27Official
Realtor.com Honolulu listing prices, October 2026Listings
Honolulu Board of Realtors condo medians, September 2026Listings
Honolulu short-term rental rulesOfficial
Impact Hub Honolulu listed ratesListings
Leonard's BakeryOfficial
Leonard's malasada prices, checked 16 Oct 2026Secondary
Aloha Beer Kakaako menuOfficial
Bishop MuseumOfficial
Iolani PalaceOfficial
Pearl Harbor National MemorialOfficial
KCC Farmers MarketOfficial
Blue Note HawaiiOfficial
Hawaii State LibraryOfficial
Byodo-In TempleOfficial
Kawaiahao ChurchOfficial
Nuuanu Pali State WaysideOfficial
Hawaiian and Alaska neighbor-island updateOfficial
HART Skyline statusOfficial
holoholo Oahu rideshareOfficial
Uber Eats Honolulu, updated 3 Apr 2026Listings
Honolulu ISP plans, refreshed 16 Sep 2026Secondary
USA Today Ookla Honolulu median speedSecondary
RentCafe Honolulu 1BRListings
Zumper Urban Honolulu 1BRListings
Furnished Finder HonoluluListings
HotelsCombined Waikiki averageListings
Charley's Taxi meterOfficial
IRS substantial presence testOfficial
UK FCDO USA entry requirementsOfficial
Wikivoyage United StatesSecondary
HRS 712-1223 gamblingOfficial
Hawaii Tax Review Commission COST briefing, 18 Sep 2026Official
PwC US corporate tax and dividend withholdingProfessional
Aliiolani Hale, Judiciary officesOfficial
Kakaako Farmers MarketOfficial
DBEDT Urban Honolulu and county estimates, July 2024Official
Ono Seafood menu mirror, October 2026Listings
Livingcost Honolulu laundryIndex
BWS water quality report, July 2026Official
BWS 2026 supplemental flyer, volcanic aquifersOfficial
Hawaii Coworking address and membershipsOfficial
OSM The Queen's Medical CenterReference
OSM Leonard's BakeryReference
OSM Aloha Beer CompanyReference
OSM Ono SeafoodReference
OSM Ala Moana Beach ParkReference
OSM Kalihi Transit CenterReference
OSM Manoa Falls TrailReference
OSM Honolulu Museum of ArtReference
OSM Hawaii TheatreReference
OSM Foster Botanical GardenReference
OSM Pearl Harbor National MemorialReference
OSM Diamond Head State MonumentReference
OSM Bishop MuseumReference
OSM Iolani PalaceReference
OSM Hawaii State LibraryReference
OSM Blue Note HawaiiReference

Change history

Oct 31, 2026
- Grocery Delivery Instacart and Safeway Delivery Uber Eats lists grocery and drugstore delivery in Honolulu, including Longs Drugs.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers 24 Hour Fitness (multiple locations), UFC Gym (Kaka'ako) not set
- Highest Income Tax Bracket 11% (State) + 37% (Federal) Federal top rate 37% in 2026. Hawaii top rate 11% in 2026 (Tax Foundation: single filers…
- Highway Access H-1 Freeway connects Honolulu to the West and East sides Interstate H-1 runs from Kapolei past the airport and Pearl City, through downtown, Makiki…
- Historic Buildings Ali'iolani Hale (Home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court) Aliiolani Hale, 417 South King Street, houses the Judiciary administrative offices. Iolani…
- Historical Sites Pearl Harbor National Memorial (USS Arizona) and Iolani Palace Pearl Harbor National Memorial, 1 Arizona Memorial Place. Grounds and museums are free…
42 more changes
- Internet Speed Average 150-300 Mbps; Fiber available via Hawaiian Telcom A cited Ookla median for Honolulu is 260 Mbps down. Spectrum advertises cable up to 1,000…
- Language Classes University of Hawaii at Manoa Outreach College (Hawaiian/Japanese) not set
- Laundry Services Hale Laundromat (Waikiki) - Approx. $5 per wash/dry A 2026 city price survey puts a coin-laundry load at about $4 to $5. No single laundromat…
- Libraries & Study Spots Hawaii State Library (Downtown) - historic 1913 building Hawaii State Library, 478 South King Street, next to Iolani Palace. The Carnegie building…
- Local Brewery Maui Brewing Co. (Waikiki) or Aloha Beer Co. (Kaka'ako) Aloha Beer Company, 700 Queen Street, Kakaako. Happy hour takes $1 off pints, Sunday to…
- Local Heritage Native Hawaiian culture prioritized through 'Aloha Spirit' laws Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States and a National Historic…
- Local Markets KCC Farmers’ Market (Saturdays) for local produce/honey KCC Farmers Market, every Saturday 7:30am to 11:00am, Kapiolani Community College parking…
- Main Train/Transit Hub Skyline (Rail Transit) - Phase 1 open; TheBus central hub at Ala Moana Skyline is open from East Kapolei to Kalihi Transit Center, 13 stations, since 16 October…
- Museums & Art Venues Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) and Bishop Museum Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, open daily 9am to 5pm. Honolulu Museum of Art, 900…
- Music Scene Blue Note Hawaii (Jazz/Live music in Waikiki) Blue Note Hawaii, inside the Outrigger Waikiki at 2335 Kalakaua Avenue, 326 seats…
- Must-See Landmarks Diamond Head State Monument ($5 entry, reservation required) Diamond Head State Monument (Leahi). Nonresidents pay $5 to enter and $10 to park, by…
- National Parks Nearby Pearl Harbor National Memorial (Oahu); Volcanoes National Park (on Big Island - 45 min… Oahu has no national park. Pearl Harbor National Memorial, 1 Arizona Memorial Place, is…
- Nearby Nature Escapes Manoa Falls Trail (Rainforest hike) or Tantalus Lookout Manoa Falls Trail, a rainforest walk in Manoa Valley. Nuuanu Pali State Wayside, on the…
- Networking Events Thrive HI tech meetups and Impact Hub community mixers not set
- Parcel Delivery Service USPS, FedEx, UPS (Note: 'Ground' shipping takes weeks from Mainland) Most goods are imported, so mainland parcels move by air or by sea rather than by road.
- Popular International Cuisine Marugame Udon (Waikiki) - famous affordable Japanese noodles Japanese food is the most widespread non-local cuisine. The Pig and the Lady serves…
- Population Approx. 350,000 (Metro area approx. 1,000,000) Urban Honolulu 341,868 (Census estimate, 1 July 2025) and 350,964 at the 2020 census. The…
- Power 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets 120 V, 60 Hz. Plug types A and B.
- Property Tax 0.35% for owner-occupied; varies for non-residents For July 2026 to June 2027, Residential (home exemption) is $3.50 per $1,000, 0.35%…
- Property Transaction Tax Conveyance tax ranges from 0.10% to 1.25% based on price Conveyance tax runs from $0.10 per $100 (under $600,000) to $1.00 per $100 (at $10 million…
- Public Transport Passes HOLO Card - $3 single ride, $7.50 day cap, $80 monthly HOLO card on TheBus and Skyline: $3 for a 2-hour pass, $7.50 day cap, $90 monthly pass or…
- Regional Travel TheBus (Island-wide) or inter-island ferries/flights to Maui and Kauai Neighbor islands are a flight. Hawaiian runs about 140 interisland flights a day. There is…
- Religious Sites Byodo-In Temple (Valley of the Temples); Kawaiahaʻo Church Kawaiahao Church, downtown, holds Sunday services at 9:30am, including the 2026 Alii…
- SIM Card T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon. Most nomads use eSIM via Airalo or Holafly T-Mobile prepaid unlimited is $45 a month with AutoPay ($50 the first month, plus tax); a…
- Scenic Viewpoints Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout (High wind, panoramic views) Nuuanu Pali State Wayside, daily 6am to 6pm. Nonresidents pay $7 a vehicle. Residents park…
- Short Term Rentals Airbnb (strict 30-day minimum in most areas), Outrigger Hotels, VRBO Stays under 30 days are short-term rentals and are allowed only in the resort district and…
- Social Events for Expats Honolulu Digital Nomads Facebook Group and Meetup.com hiking circles not set
- Street Art POW! WOW! Hawaii murals throughout Kaka'ako Chinatown Arts District, Bethel to Smith and Nimitz to Beretania, is the concentrated arts…
- Street Food Stalls Eat The Street (Monthly food truck rally in Kaka'ako) KCC Farmers Market, Saturdays 7:30am to 11:00am at 4303 Diamond Head Road, has cooked-food…
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $11,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² / 430 sq ft = $460,000) Ala Moana-Kakaako listings in October 2026 were about $1,137 per sq ft, about $12,240 per…
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $8,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² / 430 sq ft = $328,000) Kalihi-Palama listings in October 2026 were about $550 per sq ft, about $5,920 per m2. A…
- Table Tennis Spots McCully Recreation Center not set
- Tap Water Safe to drink; high quality volcanic filtration Municipal water is drinkable. The Board of Water Supply July 2026 report says results meet…
- Tax System Worldwide income basis for US Citizens; State tax for residents US citizens are taxed on worldwide income. Non-citizens who meet the substantial-presence…
- Tech Repair Services Apple Ala Moana or MacMadeEasy (Kaka'ako) not set
- Theater Venues Hawaii Theatre Center and Neal S. Blaisdell Center Hawaii Theatre, 1130 Bethel Street, and the Neal S. Blaisdell Center concert hall and…
- Top International Airline United, Delta, ANA, Japan Airlines Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines hub at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)…
- Top Regional Airline Hawaiian Airlines (Inter-island flights approx. $50-90) Hawaiian Airlines, about 140 daily neighbor-island flights on Boeing 717s. From 3 October…
- VAT No VAT; standard General Excise Tax (GET) is 4.712% in Honolulu No VAT. State general excise tax is 4%, plus a 0.5% Honolulu surcharge, so 4.5%. If a…
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options Simple Joy Vegan Cuisine or The Beet Box Cafe Veggi Dogs, a plant-based cart, sells at the Saturday KCC Farmers Market at 4303 Diamond…
- Wine Bars Island Vintage Wine Bar (Royal Hawaiian Center) not set
- Yoga & Wellness Centers CorePower Yoga (Ward Village) or Power Yoga Hawaii not set
full rewrite. City, Population, Internet Speed, Currency & Banking, Tap Water, Power, SIM Card, Banking for Expats, Accommodation, Cashless Friendly, Short Term Rentals, Best Coworking Space, Best Taxi/Ride App, Bike/Scooter Rental, Best Beach Nearby, Top Regional Airline, Top International Airline, Highway Access, Main Train/Transit Hub, Public Transport Passes, Regional Travel, Best Hospital, Laundry Services, Best Food Delivery App, Best Local Dish to Try, Vegan/Vegetarian Options, Best Dessert Spots, Affordable Shopping Spots, E-commerce/Online Store, Grocery Delivery, Bar/Nightlife Area, Local Brewery, Street Food Stalls, Popular International Cuisine, Must-See Landmarks, Museums & Art Venues, Historical Sites, Religious Sites, Annual Events, Cultural Districts, Theater Venues, Local Markets, Music Scene, Street Art, Art Galleries, Historic Buildings, Local Heritage, Nearby Nature Escapes, National Parks Nearby, Cycling/Walking Paths, Scenic Viewpoints, Birdwatching Locations, Parcel Delivery Service, Libraries & Study Spots, Casino & Gaming Halls, all six purchase-price lines, Corporate Tax, Dividend Withholding Tax, Tax System, Highest Income Tax Bracket, VAT, CFC Rules, Property Tax, Property Transaction Tax, Best Area to Stay for Tourists, Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads, Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads. Cleared Budget Accommodation, Best Cafe for Work, Networking Events, Social Events for Expats, Yoga & Wellness Centers, Gyms & Fitness Centers, Wine Bars, Cooking Classes, Tech Repair Services, Table Tennis Spots, Language Classes, Community Centers, Gaming Lounges, and Bonfire-Friendly Spots because the old places were not reconfirmed (Census, DTS fares, T-Mobile, Visible, Biki, Hawaii Coworking, Queen's, DLNR, BWS, Hawaii tax department, HART, Alaska Air, Realtor.com, DPP).

Honolulu digital nomad guide