What type of deed requires a conveyance tax to be paid in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, a conveyance tax is imposed on the transfer of real property, and it is applicable specifically to general warranty deeds. A general warranty deed is a type of deed that provides the highest level of protection to the grantee (buyer). It guarantees that the grantor (seller) holds clear title to the property and has the legal right to transfer it, and it also assures that the property is free from any encumbrances, except those specifically stated in the deed.

The conveyance tax is designed to be a tax on the transfer of real property ownership, and since a general warranty deed is a formal, legal mechanism by which ownership is transferred, it falls under the requirements of the conveyance tax regulations.

Other types of deeds mentioned, such as gift deeds and deeds related to the satisfaction of an agreement of sale, typically do not incur such taxes. Gift deeds may be exempt from the conveyance tax due to the nature of the transaction not being a sale, while satisfaction of an agreement of sale refers to fulfilling contractual obligations that do not transfer title in the conventional sense. Devisee's deeds, which relate to the transfer of property through inheritance, also do not trigger the conveyance tax since they do not involve a sale or change