What Is an Easement, and How Does It Affect My Property Rights?

Ryan's 30 Second Answer Short answer: An easement gives someone else a legal right to use part of your property for a specific purpose, like a driveway or utility line, even though you still own that land. It doesn't transfer ownership, but it can genuinely limit what you're allowed to build or do o

Can I Build an ADU on a CPR Property in Kauai?

Ryan's 30 Second Answer Short answer: It depends, and not for the reason most people expect. The bigger issue usually isn't whether you're allowed to build an ADU, it's whether the underlying parcel's dwelling entitlement has already been used up by the existing CPR units. And separately, county ord

What You'll Actually Owe When You Sell in Hawaii

Ryan's 30 Second Answer Short answer: Selling in Hawaii triggers up to three separate tax pieces: federal capital gains tax (which may be fully excluded if it was your primary residence), a potential 1031 exchange to defer tax on investment property, and HARPTA, a mandatory 7.25% withholding on the

Land Court vs. Regular System: What Kauai Buyers Need to Know

Ryan's 30 Second Answer Short answer: Every parcel on Kauai is recorded under one of two title systems, Land Court or the Regular System, and the difference shows up on your preliminary title report before you ever get to closing. Land Court issues a state-backed Certificate of Title treated as conc