There are hundreds, even thousands of dollars for Hawaii residents.  It is all unclaimed property, waiting to be returned to its rightful owners.

The state is sitting on a fortune!

"Jewelry, money and coins," said Scott Kami, with the Financial Administration Division.

Locked up in a vault sits vintage silverware, heirloom jewelry and precious historical items. "We also have stocks that people have forgotten, uncashed checks and safe deposit box items," stated Kami.

When owners couldn't be reached, the property would sit around for years. Banks and businesses would then turn it over to the state.

"Currently, we have more than $150 million that we are trying to get back to their rightful owners," said Kami.

That total is up from just a few years ago, because the state continues to take in more than people reclaim.

In 2011, $15 million in property was turned in, but only $6.5 million was returned to rightful owners. Even so, people can simply go online or call to check if they have any unclaimed property.

Occasionally, lucky residents even hit the jackpot.

"A few years back, someone got more than $200,000. It was a fairy tale story from a long-lost relative. The person didn't know they were named on an insurance policy," said Kami.

The average claim is much lower, usually several hundred dollars. But Kami said just finding out there is money with their name on it is enough to make most people very happy.