I was not referring to property taxes, but a value added tax (VAT) when foreigners purchase a home.  Generally, my experience is that these are upper end homes that they live in or rent as luxury property---hardly something that would affect the lowest income local residents or renters.  In travelling abroad I encountered the VAT in purchasing almost everything.  Oahu real estate escalations vary by neighborhood--I am more familiar with the East Oahu/Manoa areas where prices have really gone up a lot, and purchases by foreigners have increased a lot.  Just go to open houses in the luxury home market and see who shows up and who closes.