What is Leasehold in Hawaii?Part 1-5 I am often asked this question: What does Leasehold mean in Hawaii? Pulling together information collected from various classes and seminars, here it is: In easy terms: Fee Simple means that you own the land that sits under the structure. By the way, all the mineral deposits under the surface are owned by the State of Hawaii. You can research that. Leasehold: means that someone else owns the land and you pay them a rent or lease amount. It is a way of allowing more affordable ownership for a buyer to enter the market. (4 comments)