Promote:
Invest in Hawaii
A short guide for companies expanding into Hawaii: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Hawaii at a glance
PopulationEstimate
1.43 million
The population was 1,432,820 as of July 1, 2025.
Source: Census Bureau, state population estimates, July 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$123.2 billion
GDP was US$123,163.8 million in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per personEstimate
US$85,959
GDP per person was US$85,959.0 in 2025, in current dollars, computed from BEA's GDP and the Census Bureau's population estimate.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
1.5%
Real GDP growth was 1.5 percent in 2025, as BEA publishes it.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Currency and inflation: see the United States at a glance
2. Before you set up
The body that handles foreign investment, any one-stop route and the zones, as the guide found them.
SelectUSA lists the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, through its Business Development and Support Division, as Hawaii's economic development organization.
Source: SelectUSA, state economic development organizations (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Hawaii's business registration portal handles entity filings; general excise tax licenses are applied for separately through Hawaii Tax Online.
Source: Hawaii DCCA, Business Registration Division (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board's 2024 annual report lists 1 foreign-trade zone in Hawaii.
Source: Foreign-Trade Zones Board, annual report, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
This guide does not cover the activities reserved for nationals. Before you apply, ask the body named above that handles foreign investment which activities are reserved.
Investment rules across the United States: see Invest in the United States
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Hawaii
- Register a foreign corporation, limited liability company or partnership with the Business Registration Division, or file formation papers there to create a Hawaii entity, online or on paper.Business Registration Division, Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer AffairsSee the division's fee schedule.Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Hawaii DCCA, business registration forms and fees (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Apply for a general excise tax license on Form BB-1 through Hawaii Tax Online, in person or by mail, before you start business activity in Hawaii.Hawaii Department of TaxationOne-time US$20 license fee; online applications take 5 to 7 business days.Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Hawaii Department of Taxation, general excise tax (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Use Hawaii Tax Online to register and file your other state tax accounts, such as withholding and corporate income tax.Hawaii Department of TaxationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Hawaii Department of Taxation, frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Register as an employer with the Unemployment Insurance Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations before you hire staff in Hawaii.Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial RelationsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, unemployment insurance (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more set-up step
- Ask the Business Action Center which state and county licenses and permits your activity needs, and read its step-by-step guide to starting a business.Business Action Center, Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer AffairsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Hawaii DCCA, starting a business (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Steps that apply across the United States: see Invest in the United States
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with DBEDT. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- This guide lists every Hawaii body found with evidence dated 2025 or later. Source (opens in a new tab)
Investment and business setup
State economic development department
DBEDT
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
Publishes Hawaii's economic, visitor and business data, including the State of Hawaii Data Book, and runs business, energy and foreign-trade-zone programs.
Visit DBEDT (opens in a new tab)Source: Hawaii DBEDT, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Meet requirements
Business entity registration office
BREG
Business Registration Division, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Registers corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and trade names, including out-of-state entities, on paper or through its online portal.
Visit BREG (opens in a new tab)Source: Hawaii DCCA, Business Registration Division (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 3 more organizations
- Get advice
Foreign-trade zone operator
FTZ9
Hawaii Foreign Trade Zone No. 9
Runs Foreign-Trade Zone 9 in Honolulu, a 133,000-square-foot warehouse and office site whose tenants include importers, exporters and customs brokers.
Visit FTZ9 (opens in a new tab)Source: Foreign Trade Zone 9 Hawaii, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Meet requirements
State labor department
DLIR
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Runs the state unemployment insurance program, including employer registration, which a company with Hawaii employees needs.
Visit DLIR (opens in a new tab)Source: Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, unemployment insurance (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get advice
Federal small business office
SBA Hawaii District Office
U.S. Small Business Administration Hawaii District Office
Helps small businesses use federal funding programs, counseling, contracting certifications and disaster recovery, and refers them to partner lenders and advisors.
Visit SBA Hawaii District Office (opens in a new tab)Source: SBA, Hawaii District Office page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax department
DOTAX
Department of Taxation
Issues general excise tax licenses and runs Hawaii Tax Online for state tax registration, filing and payment.
Visit DOTAX (opens in a new tab)Source: Hawaii Department of Taxation, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
State commercial harbors division
Harbors Division
Harbors Division, Hawaii Department of Transportation
Operates Hawaii's nine commercial harbors, from Honolulu and Hilo to Kahului and Nawiliwili, through which ships carry goods to and from the islands.
Visit Harbors Division (opens in a new tab)Source: Hawaii Harbors Division, about the harbors (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
Speaks for business statewide through its policy team and Military Affairs Council, and runs training and resilience resources for small businesses.
Visit Chamber of Commerce Hawaii (opens in a new tab)Source: Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
5. Worth knowing
State revenue outlook
The Council on Revenues raised its FY 2027 general fund tax revenue growth forecast from 1.0 to 2.5 percent, to US$10,037.9 million, on September 3, 2026.
What to do: Check the Council's latest forecast before you fix multi-year costs.
Sources: Hawaii Council on Revenues, September 2026 forecast letter (opens in a new tab); Hawaii Department of Taxation, Council on Revenues (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Business tax credits
Act 24 of 2026 ends the Capital Goods Excise Tax Credit after 2027 tax years and repeals the High Technology Business Investment and research activities credits on January 1, 2029.
What to do: Confirm with the Department of Taxation which credits apply to your project before you rely on one.
Sources: Hawaii Council on Revenues, September 2026 forecast letter (opens in a new tab); Hawaii Department of Taxation, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Visitor accommodation tax
Act 96 of 2025 raises the transient accommodations tax by 0.75 percent from January 1, 2026; a federal appeals court order of December 31, 2025 enjoined its cruise ship provisions.
What to do: Check the current rate and any court order with the Department of Taxation before you price hotel or rental projects.
Source: Hawaii Council on Revenues, September 2026 forecast letter (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Visitor economy
DBEDT's preliminary figures put visitor spending at US$1.41 billion in September 2026, down 9.0 percent from September 2025.
What to do: Check DBEDT's latest monthly visitor statistics before you size a project that depends on tourism.
Source: Hawaii DBEDT, visitor statistics release, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Across the United States: see Worth knowing in Invest in the United States
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare the United States with other countriesSet the United States beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Hawaii project.
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Promote:Hawaii is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 4, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.