Yes: in Hawaii, real estate attorneys need a state license issued by the Supreme Court of Hawaii (licensing); Hawaii State Bar Association (directory). You can check a name yourself on HSBA online membership directory.
Real estate attorneys in Hawaii: what buyers ask
Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Hawaii?
The Hawaii statutes read do not require a buyer or seller to hire an attorney to close. Only a licensed escrow depository corporation may act as escrow for a fee (HRS 449-5), while attorneys and brokers may hold escrow only with no escrow fee (HRS 449-3).
What closing costs does Hawaii law set?
Hawaii has no official typical closing-cost total. The seller pays the conveyance tax by state rule ($1,600 on an $800,000 sale at the 2025 schedule) and recording a deed in the Regular System costs $41 per document up to 50 pages.
Check a real estate attorney yourself
- License required · Supreme Court of Hawaii (licensing); Hawaii State Bar Association (directory)
- Titles you will see: Attorney
- Check a name yourself: HSBA online membership directory (we could not open this search page ourselves)
The 8 sectors of Honolulu
Central Oʻahu · East Honolulu · ʻEwa · Koʻolau Loa · Koʻolau Poko · North Shore · Primary Urban Center · Waiʻanae