Private Money Hawaii

How to Check Permit History in Hawaii Using a TMK

Learn how to check permit history in Hawaii using a TMK. Find unpermitted work, red flags, and due diligence steps before buying or financing.

To check permit history in Hawaii, use the property’s TMK (Tax Map Key) on your county’s planning or permitting website. The TMK links directly to permit records, inspections, and approval status tied to the parcel.

A TMK allows you to pull accurate permit records for a Hawaii property. This helps buyers and lenders identify unpermitted work, renovation risks, and financing red flags before closing.

Key Takeaways

• Permit records in Hawaii are tied to the TMK, not just the address
• Always verify the correct TMK before searching permits
• Open, expired, or missing permits are common — and manageable if identified early
• Permit history affects value, insurance, and financing eligibility
• Lenders and serious buyers review permit records before committing

How to Check Permit History in Hawaii Using a TMK

If you’re buying, selling, renovating, or financing real estate in Hawaii, knowing how to check permit history in Hawaii using a TMK is a critical due diligence step.

Street addresses can be misleading.
Permits are not.

In Hawaii, permit records are tied to the TMK, not just the address. That’s why experienced buyers, investors, and lenders always start with the TMK before trusting what they see on a listing or walkthrough.

Why Permit History Matters in Hawaii

Permit history tells you:

• What work was legally approved
• What inspections were completed or never finalized
• Whether renovations were done without permits
• If additions or conversions are legally recognized

Unpermitted or improperly closed permits can:

• Delay or block financing
• Reduce appraised value
• Require costly retroactive permits
• Create resale and insurance issues

Step 1: Find the Property’s TMK

Before checking permits, you need the correct TMK.

You can find it by:

• Using your county’s property tax or parcel search
• Reviewing MLS listings (often labeled “Taxkey”)
• Checking deeds or title documents

Important:
Make sure the TMK matches the exact parcel, especially for condos (CPR units) and subdivided lots.

Step 2: Use the County Permit Search System

Each Hawaii county maintains its own permitting database. All of them allow searches by TMK.

City & County of Honolulu (Oʻahu)

• Use the Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP) portal
• Enter the TMK without dashes or colons
• View permit type, scope, status, and inspections

Hawaiʻi County (Big Island)

• Use the Department of Public Works / Building Division
• Search by TMK or parcel number
• Review permit issuance dates and completion status

Maui County (Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi)

• Use the Department of Public Works permit search
• TMK searches return permits tied to the parcel
• Pay close attention to “finaled” vs “expired” permits

Kauaʻi County

• Use the Building Division permit lookup
• Search by TMK for full permit history

Tip:
Some older permits may appear as scanned documents or partial records. Always check dates and notes.