Hawaii • Special assessment notice
Special assessment from your Hawaii condo — is it really an insurance bill?
Hawaii special assessments increasingly trace back to one thing: a property-insurance market in crisis after the 2023 Maui wildfires. Understanding whether your assessment is funding reserves, repairs, or an insurance spike is the first step.
The short answer
In Hawaii the board can levy regular assessments with 30 days' notice (HRS 514B-144), and larger specials usually need a member vote per the bylaws. Post-Lahaina, the biggest driver is insurance: master premiums and deductibles are soaring. Hawaii does require reserves funded to at least 50% of the study. CondoSignal reads your notice against HRS 514B. Free.Hawaii at a glance
Regular-assessment notice
30 days
HRS 514B-144.
Reserve funding floor
≥ 50%
Of the study's replacement costs (HRS 514B-148).
Super-lien
6 months
Priority over the first mortgage.
Resale certificate
Not mandated
Request the documents directly.
Who can levy it
Under HRS 514B-144 the board levies regular assessments (operating and reserve) with at least 30 days' notice. Special assessments for unexpected costs don't have a statutory owner-vote requirement, but most bylaws require a member vote above a threshold — so your governing documents control. There's no statewide cap on the amount.
The reserve floor
Hawaii is stricter than most states on reserves: HRS 514B-148 requires a study updated at least every three years and funding at no less than 50% of the study's estimated replacement costs (or 100% under the cash-flow method). That reduces surprise reserve assessments — but it doesn't cover the insurance gap that's driving today's bills.
Insurance-driven assessments
With few admitted insurers willing to write Hawaii condos and master deductibles for named storms or earthquake running 2–5% of insured value, associations are special-assessing to cover premium spikes and coverage gaps. An assessment tied to insurance is now common — and a sign to look closely at the master policy and whether it even covers wind.
Your rights in Hawaii
Hawaii owners get 30 days' notice of regular assessments and a reserve regime funded to at least 50% of the study (HRS 514B-144/-148); larger specials usually require a member vote per the bylaws. None of this is legal advice — confirm against HRS 514B and Hawaii counsel.
What to check
- Determine whether the assessment funds reserves, repairs, or insurance.
- Check the bylaws for any member-vote threshold on specials.
- Compare the reserve balance to the 50% study floor.
- Read the master policy for wind coverage and the deductible.
- Confirm the master isn't reliant on surplus lines (admitted carriers declined).
- For a Honolulu high-rise, check fire-safety compliance.
Sources
- HRS § 514B-144 — assessments & notice(High)
- HRS § 514B-148 — reserve study & funding(High)
- HRS § 514B-146 — association liens(High)
Educational only — not legal, financial, or engineering advice. Confirm against the current statute and, where it matters, a Hawaii-licensed professional.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
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