Hawaii TMK Numbers Explained For Homebuyers

Ever hear agents toss around TMK numbers and wonder what they actually mean? If you are shopping in Waimea, also known as Kamuela, this little string of numbers is one of the most important tools you have. It connects a property to official tax records, maps, and recorded documents, so you can verify what you are buying. In this guide, you will learn how to read a Hawaii TMK, where to find it, and how to use it during due diligence in Waimea. Let’s dive in.

What is a TMK

A Tax Map Key, or TMK, is the parcel’s government ID number in Hawaii. Counties and the state use it to link a property to tax records, maps, and recorded land documents. It is the primary indexing key across county and state systems.

A TMK is not a substitute for a legal description in a deed or a title report. You use it to find and confirm records, then rely on the deed and title work for the legal details. On the Island of Hawaiʻi, which includes Waimea, the island code in every TMK is 1.

How to read a TMK

Hawaii TMKs are shown in five groups separated by hyphens: island - zone - section - plat - parcel. You will often see a pattern like 1-XX-YY-YYYY-ZZZZ. Some sites drop leading zeros, but the group structure stays the same.

• Island: 1 digit that identifies the island. The Island of Hawaiʻi is 1.
• Zone: usually 2 digits.
• Section: usually 2 digits.
• Plat: usually 4 digits and tied to a recorded subdivision map.
• Parcel: usually 4 digits and tied to the individual lot on that plat.

Here is an illustrative example: 1-4-03-4123-0007. The 1 is the island code for Hawaiʻi Island, followed by the zone, section, plat, and parcel. Do not rely on this exact number for any real property. Always confirm the actual TMK using official county and state resources.

Waimea search tips

Locally, Waimea is also called Kamuela. Other islands have places named Waimea too. When you search, make sure you are in Hawaii County with island code 1. This avoids pulling records from the wrong island.

Public displays sometimes compress the groups, like 1-4-3-4123-7. If a TMK looks short, it may be missing leading zeros. You can still match it by verifying the parcel on official county maps and tax records.

Look up a TMK step-by-step

Use this simple workflow to find and verify a Waimea TMK and the key records tied to it.

1. Start with the listing or deed

• Most MLS listings show a TMK. If it is not there, ask the listing agent or request the legal description from the seller.

2. Verify on county parcel and tax sites

• Open the county map to confirm the parcel boundary and basic data. The Hawaii County GIS parcel viewer shows parcel lines, approximate area, and mapping overlays.
• Cross-check the tax record on the Hawaii County Real Property Taxation site. You can view assessed value, tax class, exemptions, and the county’s official TMK entry.

3. Confirm recorded documents

• Search deeds, easements, and mortgages at the State of Hawaii’s Bureau of Conveyances. You can search by TMK or by names in the document index. These are the official recorded land records.

4. Check zoning and land use

• The Hawaii County Planning Department is your source for county zoning, community plan designations, subdivision plats, and related restrictions. Confirm the zoning and any overlay areas that may affect use.

5. Review state-level overlays

• The State Office of Planning offers statewide maps and TMK guidance. Use the Office of Planning GIS to review State Land Use districts, conservation boundaries, and other overlays that can apply to a parcel.

6. Evaluate flood and hazard layers

• For flood risk, check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and the county GIS. On Hawaiʻi Island, you should also review lava flow hazard maps and tsunami evacuation information, which are available through county planning and state GIS resources.

7. Engage title and survey pros

• Title companies and attorneys use the TMK and legal description to run a full title search. If boundaries or access are important, plan for a licensed surveyor to confirm on the ground.

Use TMKs in due diligence

A TMK anchors your research across multiple systems. Use it to build a clear picture of the property before you write an offer or remove contingencies.

• Confirm parcel identity. Match the listing’s TMK to the county parcel viewer and recorded plat so you are focusing on the correct lot.
• Retrieve recorded documents. Use the TMK to find deeds, easements, rights-of-way, covenants, and mortgages at the Bureau of Conveyances.
• Check taxes and exemptions. Review assessed value, current tax status, and exemptions in county tax records.
• Verify zoning and allowable uses. Confirm county zoning, State Land Use district, and any special overlays with county planning and state GIS.
• Review permits and code history. Search for prior building permits, open violations, or signs of unpermitted work tied to the TMK.
• Screen for hazards. Overlay FEMA flood zones, tsunami evacuation areas, and lava hazard zones for Hawaiʻi Island. If coastal, review shoreline setback maps.
• Confirm utilities and access. Look for recorded utility easements and how the property is accessed, whether by public roadway or private easement.
• Check subdivision status. Note any recent splits or combinations of lots that may change the TMK, and whether multiple TMKs are part of the sale.
• Coordinate with title and survey experts. Share the TMK early so they can advise on any boundary or encumbrance issues.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Relying only on the MLS. If the TMK on the listing does not match the deed or county records, do not proceed until you verify. Mismatches can stem from input errors or parcel changes.
• Confusing Waimea locations. Always confirm you are in Hawaii County, island code 1, not a different island’s Waimea.
• Assuming TMK equals legal description. TMKs are powerful search keys, but you still need the deed and a title report for the legal description and closing.
• Overlooking condominium indexing. Condominiums typically use a base parcel TMK with an added unit identifier in county and permitting systems. Confirm how the unit is recorded.
• Treating map lines as a survey. County GIS shows official map-based boundaries, but it is not a substitute for a licensed survey if exact boundary location matters.

Quick reading example

Take the format 1-4-03-4123-0007. Here is how you would read it:

• 1: Island of Hawaiʻi
• 4: Zone
• 03: Section
• 4123: Plat number tied to a recorded subdivision map
• 0007: Parcel, the specific lot on that plat

This number is only a sample to show the structure. Always look up the actual parcel using the county GIS and tax records, then confirm the details in recorded documents.

When to call the pros

If you uncover easements, boundary questions, or unknown encumbrances while researching a TMK, pause and bring in help. A title company or attorney will run a deeper title search using the TMK and legal description. If you need clarity on where a fence or driveway sits, hire a licensed surveyor to confirm boundaries and any encroachments.

For questions about zoning, overlays, or subdivision rules, contact the county planning department. If you are reviewing hazard context like flood and lava zones, use FEMA and the county or state GIS layers to guide your next steps.

A simple TMK checklist

Use this list to keep your research organized:

• Get the TMK from the listing or deed.
• Verify parcel boundaries in the Hawaii County GIS parcel viewer.
• Confirm assessed value and tax class in Hawaii County Real Property Taxation.
• Pull recorded deeds and easements from the Bureau of Conveyances.
• Check zoning and community plan designations with the Hawaii County Planning Department.
• Review state overlays in the Office of Planning GIS.
• Evaluate flood risk using the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. For lava zones and coastal hazards, review Hawaii County and state GIS resources.
• Share the TMK with your title company or attorney, and plan for a survey if boundary clarity is needed.

Your next step in Waimea

When you understand TMK numbers, you can move through a Waimea purchase with confidence. You will know how to verify what is on record, spot issues early, and ask the right questions about use, access, and risk. If you want guidance tailored to your goals, reach out for local help and a calm, step-by-step process.

If you are planning a purchase or sale in Waimea, connect with Kristen Matthews for a warm, design-minded approach and clear TMK-driven due diligence. Schedule a free consultation.

FAQs

What is a TMK in Hawaii real estate

• A TMK is the state and county parcel ID used to connect a property to tax records, maps, and recorded land documents. It is not a legal description but it is the primary indexing key.

How do I find a Waimea property’s TMK

• Start with the listing or deed, then verify the number in the Hawaii County GIS parcel viewer and the Hawaii County Real Property Taxation site.

Does a TMK show exact property boundaries

• TMK maps and county GIS show official parcel lines, but they are not a replacement for a licensed survey when exact boundary location or encroachments matter.

Can a TMK change after subdivision

• Yes. TMKs can change when lots are split or combined, or when maps are reindexed, so always confirm the current TMK in county records during a transaction.

How are condominium units identified by TMK

• Condos are usually indexed by a base parcel TMK plus an additional unit identifier in county and permitting systems. Confirm the unit’s indexing with county records and the Bureau of Conveyances.

How do TMKs help with hazard checks on Hawaiʻi Island

• Use the TMK in county and state GIS to overlay FEMA flood zones, tsunami evacuation areas, and lava hazard zones, then consult county planning for any local designations that apply.