Hawaii (HI)

How to Start a Business in Hawaii (Step by Step Guide)

Hawaii Business formationAre you thinking about starting a business in Hawaii or need information on how to start a business? Here is all the information you would need to know to form a new business in Hawaii!

On this page, you can find step by step DIY instructions on how to incorporate your business in Hawaii. From selecting the business entity type to forms to be filled, we have covered it all.

Let’s get Started

The first step in setting up your business is to select the business structure.

Broadly there are 4 types of business entities:

  1. Limited Liability Company (Most Popular)
  2. Corporation
  3. Sole Proprietorship
  4. Partnership

Each business structure differs on the basis of taxation, asset liability and estate planning. We have written a detailed tutorial on how to choose a business entity type for your business here.

Below we have given a broad outline of the steps involved in registering an LLC or Corporation in Hawaii.

Clicking on each step, opens up a detailed guide on how to complete it.

How to start an LLC in Hawaii

Agency NameHawaii Business Registration Division
Form(s) to be filledArticles of Organization for Limited Liability Company (Form LLC-1)
ModeMail, in-person, fax, Online
Name ReservationOptional, Fee $15 (Mail/Online)
Filing Fee$51 + Expedite fee: $25 (optional)
TimeBy Mail: 2 weeks, In-person: 1 week, Online: 3 days
LawHawaii Revised Statutes 428-201


Summary:

  1. Search for business name availability
  2. File for Business name reservation
  3. Select Registered Agent
  4. Fill the Certificate of formation (Form SOSDF-8) and send it to the office of the probate judge.
  5. Create an Operating Agreement
  6. Get Federal EIN Number
  7. Comply with other regulatory requirements
  8. Obtain Hawaii Tax ID Number
  9. File Annual Report (Ongoing)

How to start a Corporation in Hawaii
Agency NameHawaii Business Registration Division
Form(s) to be filledArticles of Incorporation
ModeMail, in-person, fax, Online
Name ReservationOptional, Fee $15 (Mail/Online)
Filing Fee$51 + Expedite fee: $25 (optional)
TimeBy Mail: 2 weeks, In-person: 1 week, Online: 3 days
LawHI Rev Stat § 414-32


Summary:

  1. Search for a Business Name
  2. File for Business Name Reservation
  3. Select Registered Agent
  4. Fill the Articles of Incorporation Form
  5. Create Bylaws
  6. Get Federal EIN Number
  7. Comply with other regulatory requirements
  8. Obtain Hawaii Tax ID Number
  9. File Annual Report (Ongoing)


References:
https://law.justia.com/codes/hawaii/2010/division2/title23a/chapter428
https://law.justia.com/codes/hawaii/2010/division2/title23/chapter414/

Fact-checked on 24/07/2018