Hawaii Real Estate Practice Exam
(Free Questions & Answers)
The Hawaii real estate exam is administered by the Real Estate Branch of the DCCA and covers concepts unique to Hawaii's real estate market. Leasehold ownership is far more common in Hawaii than anywhere else in the country — many properties in Honolulu are sold on leasehold land owned by estates or trusts — and the distinction between fee simple and leasehold title is heavily tested. Hawaii's Seller's Real Property Disclosure Statement and the state's condominium laws (which are extensive) also appear frequently.
Administered by: Hawaii Real Estate Branch · 140 questions · Passing score: 70%
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Free Hawaii Real Estate Practice Exam Questions
Test your knowledge with these Hawaii real estate practice questions. Each question is based on topics from the Hawaii Real Estate Branch exam and includes detailed explanations.
Q1. Which state agency regulates real estate licenses in Hawaii?
Explanation
The Hawaii Real Estate Commission, a division under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), is responsible for licensing and regulating real estate professionals in Hawaii.
Q2. In Hawaii, what is the term for a licensee who works with a buyer without entering into a formal buyer representation agreement?
Explanation
A transactional licensee in Hawaii assists a party in a transaction without representing them in a fiduciary capacity. This differs from a buyer's agent, who owes full fiduciary duties.
Q3. Which element is NOT required for a valid real estate contract in Hawaii?
Explanation
While the Statute of Frauds requires real estate contracts to be in writing to be enforceable, an oral contract may technically exist. The essential elements of a valid contract are offer, acceptance, consideration, legal capacity, and legal purpose — not necessarily written form.
Q4. In a mortgage, who is the mortgagor?
Explanation
The mortgagor is the borrower who pledges real property as collateral to secure a loan. The mortgagee is the lender. A helpful memory device: the mortgagOR gives the mortgage (as security), the mortgagEE receives it.
Q5. In Hawaii, leasehold ownership means the buyer:
Explanation
Leasehold ownership in Hawaii means the buyer owns the structures/improvements on the property but leases the underlying land from the landowner. Ground lease payments are made periodically, and ownership reverts to the landowner at lease expiration.
Q6. The sales comparison approach to value is MOST applicable for valuing:
Explanation
The sales comparison (market data) approach is most applicable for single-family residences where comparable sales data is readily available. It estimates value by comparing the subject property to recently sold similar properties.
Q7. The Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 originally prohibited discrimination based on which protected classes?
Explanation
The original Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, and national origin. Sex was added in 1974, and familial status and disability (handicap) were added in the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988.
Q8. In Hawaii, which type of title insurance policy protects the lender's interest in the property?
Explanation
A lender's (mortgagee's) title insurance policy protects the lender's interest in the property up to the loan amount. It is typically required by lenders when financing a real estate purchase. A separate owner's policy protects the buyer's equity.
Q9. A property in Hawaii sells for $850,000. The commission rate is 5%. How much commission is earned?
Explanation
Commission = Sale Price × Commission Rate. $850,000 × 0.05 = $42,500. The total commission earned on this sale is $42,500.
Q10. Hawaii is divided into lava flow hazard zones numbered 1 through 9. Which zone has the highest lava flow risk?
Explanation
Hawaii's lava flow hazard zones are numbered 1 through 9, with Zone 1 being the highest risk (active rift zones and summits) and Zone 9 the lowest. Sellers must disclose lava zone classifications.
Q11. Hawaii's state-level land use classification system divides all land into how many primary districts?
Explanation
The Hawaii Land Use Commission classifies all land in the state into 4 districts: Urban, Rural, Agricultural, and Conservation.
Q12. In Hawaii, a property manager who manages properties for others and receives compensation must hold a:
Explanation
In Hawaii, managing property for others for compensation is a real estate activity requiring a minimum of a real estate salesperson's license. Property managers must be licensed under a principal broker.
1,500+ questions · Timed mock exams · Detailed explanations
Hawaii Real Estate Exam — What to Expect
What Is On The Hawaii Real Estate Exam?
The Hawaii real estate salesperson exam is administered by the Hawaii Real Estate Branch and tests both national real estate principles and Hawaii-specific laws and regulations. The exam contains 140 multiple-choice questions, and you must score at least 70% to pass.
The national portion covers topics that apply in every state: property ownership, land use controls, valuation and market analysis, financing, agency law, contracts, leasing and property management, transfer of title, fair housing laws, and real estate calculations. The state portion tests knowledge specific to Hawaii — including regulations set by the Hawaii Real Estate Branch, Hawaii agency disclosure requirements, and state-specific contract and closing practices.
Topics covered on the Hawaii exam include: Property Ownership, Agency Law, Contracts, Finance, Hawaii License Law. Candidates who struggle on the HI exam typically underestimate the state-specific portion — the national content is well-covered by most study materials, but Hawaii law questions require targeted preparation.
How Many Questions Are On The Hawaii Exam?
The Hawaii real estate salesperson exam has 140 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into a national section covering general real estate principles and a state section covering Hawaii-specific laws administered by the Hawaii Real Estate Branch. You have 4 hours to complete the exam.
Hawaii Real Estate Exam Passing Score
You need a 70% to pass the Hawaii real estate exam. The first-time pass rate in Hawaii is approximately 62%, which means preparation is essential — most candidates who fail do so because they focused on national content and underestimated the HI-specific portion. Our Hawaii practice exam is built specifically around the Hawaii Real Estate Branch exam outline.
Most Difficult Topics On The Hawaii Exam
These are the areas where Hawaii candidates most commonly lose points.
Hawaii has a uniquely high percentage of leasehold properties compared to any other state. Understanding the difference, how leasehold affects financing, and when leases expire is critical for the Hawaii exam.
Hawaii's Real Estate Branch of the DCCA has specific licensing requirements, supervision rules, and continuing education mandates that are tested on the state portion and differ from mainland norms.
Hawaii's Seller's Real Property Disclosure Statement has specific categories and requirements. The timing of when it must be provided and the buyer's remedies if it's not are frequently tested.
Hawaii has one of the most active condo markets in the country and extensive state condominium laws. Questions on condo association rights, resale packages, and Hawaii-specific condo ownership issues appear regularly on the state exam.
Hawaii Real Estate Math
The Hawaii real estate exam includes math questions covering commission calculations, loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, property tax prorations, area and volume, and appreciation/depreciation. A common example: if a property sells for $350,000 and the total commission is 6%, split equally between listing and buyer's broker, each side earns $10,500. Proration questions — such as calculating how many days of property taxes a seller owes at closing — are also common. On the HI exam, you will not need a calculator for most math questions, but you do need to understand the formulas. Practice the "T-bar" method for commission splits and the 360-day banker's year for prorations.
How To Get Your Hawaii Real Estate License
- 1Complete 60 hours of state-approved pre-license education covering topics required by the Hawaii Real Estate Branch.
- 2Submit your application to the Hawaii Real Estate Branch and pay the required fees (exam fee: $61).
- 3Pass the Hawaii real estate salesperson exam (140 questions, 70% to pass).
- 4Complete a background check and fingerprinting as required by Hawaii law.
- 5Find a licensed sponsoring/employing broker to activate your license.
- 6Complete any required post-licensing education within the timeframe set by the Hawaii Real Estate Branch.
Best Study Strategy For The Hawaii Exam
Start with Hawaii license law first. State-specific regulations administered by the Hawaii Real Estate Branch make up a significant portion of the HI exam and are not covered in most national study materials.
Master the math early. The Hawaii real estate exam includes questions on commission calculations, prorations, loan-to-value ratios, and area calculations. Set aside dedicated math practice sessions — don't leave it until the last week.
Take timed practice exams. The Hawaii exam has 140 questions within a 4 hours time limit. Simulate exam conditions to build stamina and identify weak topics before exam day.
Focus heavily on agency law. Agency relationships, disclosure requirements, and fiduciary duties are consistently among the most-tested topics on the HI exam. Understand the difference between seller's agent, buyer's agent, dual agent, and transaction broker in the context of Hawaii law.
Review Fair Housing thoroughly. Federal Fair Housing Act protections apply in all states, but Hawaii may have additional protected classes. Know both federal and Hawaii-specific protections cold — this topic appears on virtually every exam.
Use active recall, not passive reading. Instead of re-reading notes, quiz yourself. Use flashcards or practice questions to test retention. Research shows active recall improves long-term retention significantly compared to passive review.
Hawaii Real Estate Exam — Frequently Asked Questions
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