Find Unclaimed Money in East Honolulu
East Honolulu residents can search for unclaimed money at no cost through the Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance unclaimed property program and through the City and County of Honolulu escheated checks system. Both programs are free to use. The state holds dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, and other property reported by financial institutions and businesses operating in Hawaii. This page explains how to run both searches, what documents you need to file a claim, and where to go if you have questions.
East Honolulu Overview
East Honolulu Unclaimed Money Search
East Honolulu is a census-designated place along the southeastern coast of Oahu. Residents here fall under Honolulu County and use the same state program that covers all of Hawaii. The online search tool is at unclaimedproperty.ehawaii.gov. Type in a name and the system will return any matching property records the state has on file. You can search your own name, a business name, or the name of a deceased relative whose estate you may be handling.
East Honolulu residents should also search the city escheated checks database. That program, managed by the Honolulu Treasury Division, covers uncashed city-issued checks from 2022 through 2025. You can search it at honolulu.gov/bfs/escheated-checks. It is a different database from the state program. The state holds funds from banks and insurance companies. The city holds checks it issued directly, like vendor payments or tax refunds, that were never cashed. Run both searches.
If you want to call the state program, the number is (808) 586-1589. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time. The state office is at 250 S. Hotel Street, Room 304, in Honolulu. East Honolulu residents are close enough to visit in person if needed. More program details are at budget.hawaii.gov.
The Honolulu escheated checks program is a separate search tool that East Honolulu residents should check alongside the state unclaimed property database to make sure they find everything that may be held in their name.
What Property May Be Waiting for You
Property goes unclaimed for many reasons. People move. Addresses change. Mail gets lost. Businesses close. When a financial institution or company can no longer reach the rightful owner, they are required under Hawaii law to report the property and eventually turn it over to the state. The state then holds it until the owner or heir files a claim. There is no deadline for most claims. The money does not disappear.
Common types of unclaimed money held for East Honolulu residents include dormant savings and checking accounts, CDs that matured but were never redeemed, uncashed payroll checks, life insurance proceeds, utility deposits, stock dividends, and safe deposit box contents. Wages become dormant after one year without contact. Bank accounts go dormant after five years. CDs go dormant after seven years. Life insurance proceeds from matured policies go dormant after three years. These timelines are set by HRS Chapter 523A, Hawaii's unclaimed property statute.
Note: Act 184 established a permanent escheat date for small amounts. Property under $100 received by the state on or before June 30, 2016, will permanently pass to the state on July 1, 2026. If you think small amounts are out there, search soon.
How East Honolulu Residents File a Claim
Claiming unclaimed money in East Honolulu starts with a search on the state portal. Once you find property, you initiate the claim online or by mail. The state offers three claim types: original owner, deceased owner (for heirs), and business. Each type has its own documentation requirements, but all are free to file. You do not need to hire anyone to get your money back.
Original owners need a government-issued photo ID and documentation linking them to the property. That might be an old bank statement, a policy number, or proof of a prior address. Claims over $50 require notarization. Securities claims, like unclaimed stock or dividend payments, also need IRS Form W-9. You can find full instructions on what to include on the owner information page.
The owner information page at budget.hawaii.gov explains claim types, required documents, and how to submit a completed claim for East Honolulu residents.
Deceased owner claims need more paperwork. An Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent is required, along with a death certificate and documents that show your relationship to the deceased. If you are the heir of a longtime East Honolulu resident, checking the state database for funds in their name is worth the time. Mail completed claims to P.O. Box 150, Honolulu, HI 96810, or deliver them to 250 S. Hotel Street, Room 304.
Finder Fees and Third-Party Services
You may receive a letter from a private company offering to find and recover your unclaimed money for a fee. These companies are called finders or locators. They are legal, but Hawaii caps what they can charge. Under Section 523A-25 of the HRS, a finder cannot charge more than 10 percent of the property value as a fee. You are never required to use a finder service. The state search is free, the claim is free, and you can do it all yourself at unclaimedproperty.ehawaii.gov or by calling (808) 586-1589.
The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators has a Hawaii page with additional resources and information on how the state program works. The Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions also maintains a dormant account FAQ for people who have questions about bank accounts specifically.
Honolulu County Resources
East Honolulu is part of Honolulu County. The county page covers all unclaimed money resources available to Honolulu County residents, including state and city programs, statute references, and filing guidance.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Honolulu County communities access the same state and city unclaimed money programs.