Tenancy by the entirety
Available to married couples and to reciprocal beneficiaries under Hawaiʻi law. The home passes automatically to the surviving partner and has extra protection from one partner's individual creditors.
LGBTQIA+ home buying & selling on Oʻahu
Find home on Oʻahu, exactly as you are
An affirming team, vetted partners, and plain-language guidance on your rights, buying together, and finding community on the island.
What working with us looks like
Buying a home is personal. You should never have to explain your family, correct your name, or wonder how you'll be treated along the way.
Hawaiʻi has long made room for everyone. The māhū tradition, honored today at the healer stones of Kapaemahu in Waikīkī, is part of the island's history. We carry that spirit into every transaction.
- Your name, your pronounsWe use them, and we make sure lenders, escrow, and title use them too, wherever the law allows.
- Vetted, affirming partnersWe refer lenders, inspectors, and escrow officers who treat every client with respect.
- Discretion when you want itYour story is yours. We share only what a transaction legally needs.
- Every kind of ʻohanaCouples, singles, co-buyers, blended families, and chosen family are all welcome here.
Your rights in Hawaiʻi real estate
Hawaiʻi state law protects you, even as federal guidance changes.
Hawaiʻi law (HRS chapters 489 and 515) prohibits discrimination in real estate transactions based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. That covers sellers, landlords, agents, lenders, and advertising.
This is general information, not legal advice. For a specific situation, talk with the Commission or an attorney.
- Federal rules shifted in 2025HUD rolled back its guidance that read federal fair housing law to cover sexual orientation and gender identity. Hawaiʻi's own protections still apply.
- Who to contactThe Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission takes housing complaints and offers free help.
- Don't waitHousing complaints generally must be filed within 180 days of what happened.
- We'll have your backIf something feels off during your purchase or sale, tell us. We'll document it and help you take the next step.
Buying together: how to hold title in Hawaiʻi
How you take title decides what happens to the home if something happens to one of you. It's worth five minutes of thought before closing.
Joint tenancy
Equal shares with a right of survivorship, so the home passes to the other owners automatically. A common choice for unmarried partners.
Tenancy in common
Each owner holds a share, which can be unequal, like 60/40. Shares pass by your will or trust, not automatically, so pair it with an estate plan.
Names that match
If you've changed your name or gender marker, make sure your ID, loan application, and title documents match. We'll flag this early so closing day goes smoothly.
Protect each other
Wills, a trust, and powers of attorney matter for every couple, and especially if you're not married. We can refer you to affirming estate planning attorneys.
Down payment help
First-time buyer programs and VA loans are open to everyone who qualifies. See our first-time buyer guide or our PCS guide for military families.
Title choices have legal and tax effects. Confirm the right option for you with your escrow officer or a Hawaiʻi real estate attorney.
Finding your community on Oʻahu
A home is more than four walls. Here's where to connect once you land.
Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation
Organizers of Honolulu Pride and the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, plus a community calendar and resource directory.
Visit the foundationHonolulu Pride
A parade through Waikīkī and a festival that brings the whole island together each year.
See upcoming eventsQueer history of Hawaiʻi
Learn about māhū and the Kapaemahu healer stones, a beautiful part of island history worth visiting.
Learn about KapaemahuNeighborhoods our clients love
Waikīkī & Kapahulu
Walkable condo living near the beach, nightlife, and the heart of Pride.
Browse Honolulu homesKaimukī, Mānoa & Makiki
Neighborhood restaurants, older character homes, and quick access to town and UH.
Browse Honolulu homesKakaʻako & Downtown
Modern towers, murals, galleries, and a growing food scene.
Search all homesKailua & Kāneʻohe
A slower windward pace, beaches, and room for a yard and pets.
Browse Kailua homesHawaiʻi Kai
Marina views, hiking, and family-friendly streets. It's our home base, too.
Browse Hawaiʻi Kai homesNot sure yet?
Tell us how you like to live, and we'll suggest neighborhoods that fit.
Talk with usBook a free, no-pressure consultation
Buying, selling, or just exploring. We'll listen first.
Selling instead? See how we sell homes.
LGBTQIA+ home buying FAQ
Quick answers to the questions we hear most.
Is housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity illegal in Hawaiʻi?
Yes. Hawaiʻi law (HRS chapters 489 and 515) prohibits discrimination in real estate transactions based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Complaints go to the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, generally within 180 days.
Did the 2025 federal changes remove protections in Hawaiʻi?
No. HUD narrowed its federal guidance in 2025, but Hawaiʻi's state law protections still apply to real estate transactions in Hawaiʻi.
How should an unmarried couple take title to a home in Hawaiʻi?
Many choose joint tenancy for automatic survivorship, or tenancy in common with a will or trust. Married couples and reciprocal beneficiaries can also use tenancy by the entirety. Confirm with your escrow officer or an attorney.
What is a reciprocal beneficiary in Hawaiʻi?
A legal relationship Hawaiʻi created for two adults who can't marry each other, such as relatives, that grants some spousal-type rights. It can allow tenancy by the entirety for real estate.
I've changed my name. Will that cause problems at closing?
Not if we plan ahead. Your ID, loan, and title documents need to match, and the title company may ask for name-change paperwork. We'll flag it early.
Is The O Team LGBTQIA+ affirming?
Yes. Everyone belongs here, and we work only with partners who treat our clients with respect.
Your place on the island is waiting
Licensed 10+ years, five stars on Yelp, and proud to welcome every ʻohana.
Dedicated guidance for first-time buyers, luxury homes, military families, and LGBTQIA+ communities.
RS-82651 • Committed to Equal Housing for Every Buyer
Legal Information
Information considered reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity applies. Listings are subject to change or prior sale. The O Team and its brokers disclaim liability for errors.
Contact Us
6600 Kalanianaole Hwy Suite #114, Honolulu, HI 96825
Direct: (808) 990-3443
Email: [email protected]
© 2026 The O Team. All rights reserved. Serving homebuyers with expertise and care in full compliance with Hawai'i Association of Realtors regulations.