Ever see a string of numbers on a Hawaii listing and wonder what it means? If you are shopping or owning in Kailua, that number is more than a label. It is the key to the right taxes, permits, title work, and recorded documents. In this guide, you will learn what a TMK is, how to find the correct one for a house or condo, and how to use it for smart due diligence. Let’s dive in.
TMK basics
A Tax Map Key, or TMK, is Hawaii’s statewide system for uniquely identifying real property. It is the primary identifier used in county assessor records, many permitting systems, and recorded documents. On Oʻahu, the City and County of Honolulu Real Property Assessment Division maintains TMKs.
You will usually see TMKs written as hyphen separated numbers, such as 1-2-3-4. That shorthand format appears on assessor searches, tax bills, and many listings. The meaning of each number group is defined in county mapping documentation. For authoritative format details, consult Honolulu’s Real Property Assessment Division.
TMKs are used to:
- Identify the exact parcel in assessor records and property tax bills.
- Link to assessed values, exemptions, ownership information, and tax history.
- Pull permit history, zoning, and land use information through planning and permitting systems.
- Connect recorded deeds, easements, subdivision plats, and condominium documents to mapped parcels.
How TMKs map to lots and condos
For most single family homes and vacant land, a TMK points to one tax parcel. That parcel generally lines up with a recorded lot or survey. Some properties have multiple TMKs if land was assembled from separate parcels or if lots were not merged in assessor records. Parcels can also be subdivided or consolidated, which can change the TMK over time.
For condominiums, the mapping works a bit differently. The land and common elements often have a base parcel TMK, and individual units are identified in assessor records with a unit specific reference or sub parcel entry. In practice, a condo listing should show the street address with unit number and the TMK that corresponds to that exact unit as recorded.
Be aware of potential mismatches. Some MLS listings display the building’s base parcel TMK instead of the unit’s identifier. Always verify the unit’s TMK in assessor records or the recorded condominium declaration.
Find and verify a TMK in Kailua
Use this simple workflow to confirm the correct TMK for a Kailua home or condo:
Gather the basics
- Write down the full street address. For condos, include the unit number. If you have the owner or seller name, keep it handy.
Search the Honolulu assessor or parcel viewer
- Use the City and County of Honolulu Real Property Assessment Division search or the Honolulu GIS Parcel Viewer. Look up the address to retrieve the TMK, parcel boundaries, assessed value, owner name, exemptions, and tax history. Confirm the map outline matches the property’s location in Kailua.
Cross check recorded documents
- For single family parcels, compare the recorded deed and legal description to the TMK you found. For condos, review the recorded Condominium Property Regime documents to confirm the unit’s legal description and how it ties to the TMK. If the MLS TMK differs from the county database, rely on recorded documents and the assessor.
Confirm permits and building history
- With the TMK in hand, use the Department of Planning and Permitting permit search to look up building permits, finalizations, or open violations. This can surface unpermitted work or past projects.
Verify taxes, exemptions, and assessments
- Check the tax bill associated with the TMK for current charges and exemption status, such as a homeowner exemption. This helps you estimate post closing taxes accurately.
Add professional cross checks
- A title report lists the legal description and TMK used for underwriting. If boundaries or setbacks matter, compare the assessor parcel lines to a current survey and the recorded plat.
Practical Kailua notes: You will see a mix of older lots, planned subdivisions, and condo regimes in Kailua. The parcel viewer’s map overlay helps you see how parcels sit near local streets and landmarks. For condo units, always match the unit number to the recorded condo documents. Addresses alone can be ambiguous.
Why the TMK matters in Kailua
Using the TMK keeps your research accurate when addresses are similar, unit numbers change, or listings include mistakes. It ties directly to assessed values, tax bills, and exemptions, which you will use to estimate your holding costs.
TMKs also matter at closing. Title companies rely on the TMK in underwriting and in drafting the deed. An incorrect TMK can delay closing or create title exceptions. For buyers, the TMK is the key to pulling permit history and checking for unpermitted work. It also connects to zoning and lot data used to evaluate allowed uses, accessory structures, or redevelopment potential.
If a property involves multiple parcels or shared easements, those relationships appear in mapping and recorded documents tied to the TMKs. For condos, confirming the unit’s TMK ensures tax assessments and association records match the unit you are buying or selling.
Common pitfalls and fixes
- MLS TMK does not match the county: Trust the county assessor and recorded documents. Ask the listing agent for clarification and review the deed, condo declaration, or title report.
- You cannot find a TMK by address: The address might be new, informal, or a condo unit not indexed as a visible parcel. Search by owner name, check recorded documents, and contact the assessor or a title company.
- Parcel boundaries look off compared with a survey: Assessor mapping can lag recorded surveys. Rely on the recorded plat and a licensed surveyor, and ask the assessor to clarify or update mapping as needed.
- Condo unit shows the building TMK only: Some regimes use the underlying parcel TMK and list unit IDs in the condo documents. Confirm the unit identification in the condominium declaration and in the title report.
- Looking for flood zones or shoreline setbacks: A TMK is just an identifier. Use it to pull the correct overlays in county or state mapping tools.
Quick checklist for Kailua buyers and owners
- Get the full address and unit number if it is a condo.
- Look up the property in the Honolulu assessor or parcel viewer and record the TMK.
- Verify the TMK against the recorded deed or condominium declaration and your title report.
- Use the TMK to pull DPP permit history and check for open violations.
- Review the TMK’s tax bills, exemptions, and payment history.
- Compare parcel lines to a current survey when boundaries or setbacks matter.
- If anything conflicts, ask the listing agent for documentation and consult a title company or real estate attorney.
Ready for calm, local guidance?
If you want help confirming a TMK, pulling permits, or sorting out a condo’s unit identification, we are here to make it simple. Kailua is our backyard, and we pair neighborhood knowledge with a step by step process you can trust. Reach out to schedule a free consult with Jordan Toohey, and let’s get your due diligence right from day one.
FAQs
What is a TMK number in Hawaii real estate?
- A TMK is Hawaii’s unique parcel identifier used by assessors, permitting offices, and in recorded documents to tie legal descriptions to mapped property records.
How do I find the TMK for a Kailua condo unit?
- Search the Honolulu assessor or parcel viewer by address and unit number, then confirm the unit’s identification in the recorded condominium declaration and your title report.
Which is correct if the MLS TMK differs from the county?
- Rely on the county assessor records and recorded documents; ask the listing agent to reconcile the discrepancy and review the deed or condo documents.
Can a Kailua property have more than one TMK?
- Yes, some properties include multiple parcels that were assembled or not merged in assessor records; confirm which TMKs are included in the sale and in the title report.
Does a TMK show permits or zoning in Honolulu?
- The TMK itself is an ID, but you use it to look up permit history, zoning, and code records through the Department of Planning and Permitting and county GIS tools.
Can a TMK change over time?
- Yes, TMKs can change after subdivision, consolidation, or mapping corrections; always verify against the most recent assessor and recorded documents.
