Starting a business in Hawaii

HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN HAWAII

Starting a business in Hawaii can and should be easier than you think. You file simple forms with the Business Registration Division, and your business is formed! Obviously there’s a few more things than that, but if you’d like to start your own business yourself, you will find it easy to hire us as your registered agent and you’ll find all the forms you could file to start a business in Hawaii, along with great filing instructions on the quickest and cheapest ways to start your business in Hawaii.

What’s the actual process to start a business in Hawaii?

1. You file articles of incorporation for a Hawaii corporation or articles of organization for a Hawaii LLC with the HI Business Registration Division. 
2. You obtain a federal tax ID number (FEIN or EIN) with the IRS after you have confirmation and filed articles from the State of Hawaii showing your approved Hawaii business.
3. Opening a business banking account under your new Hawaii business name should be easy with these two items.
4. You register your Hawaii LLC with the Hawaii Department of Taxation or Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations if you're going to have employees or need to withhold sales tax. 
5. You obtain a trade license from Hawaii Professional and Vocational Licensing, if you actually need one. Most businesses don't, but if you do, these quick links and contact details are in your online account.
6. Some local cities or counties have a general license, but most don’t.
7. You obtain a local trade license if the city or county you’re going to be working in requires it.
8. If you’re going to have an office or shop you might need an approval from the city zoning for your type of business in that location.
9. If you get overwhelmed, just get your business pulling in money and worry about regulations later.

If you want a corporation, you file Hawaii Articles of Incorporation:

It will cost $50 to file the articles of incorporation with the HI Business Registration Division. 
We custom draft your Hawaii articles of incorporation when you hire Northwest to start your Hawaii business. The basic requirements of Hawaii corporations are:

• The Hawaii Corporation must have a corporate ending such as INC, Incorporated, Corporation or other variation.
• The Hawaii corporation name must be different than already registered Hawaii corporations
• The number of common shares the Hawaii Corporation is authorized to issue
• The principal office mailing address
• The name and office address of the registered agent in Hawaii
• The name, address, and signature of the Hawaii corporation incorporator

Hawaii does not require original signatures on new Hawaii corporation filings. If you file the paper form, Hawaii will send the filed copy to your mailing address. If you file online, they send you an email to tell you how to view your filed document on the Hawaii Business Registration Division website.

If you want a LLC, you file Hawaii Articles of organization:

To form a Hawaii LLC, you file Hawaii articles of organization. The Hawaii Business Registration Division articles of organization filing fee is $50. The basic requirements of Hawaii LLC filings are:

• The business name must have a LLC ending or variation of it
• The Hawaii company name must be different than already registered Hawaii companies
• The Hawaii LLCs principal mailing address
• The duration of the LLC may be at-will or for a specific term
• If the Hawaii LLC is member-managed, you must list the members. If the LLC is manager-managed, you must list the managers
• Whether the members are liable for the debts, obligations, and liabilities of the company
• The Hawaii registered agent name and the physical address
• The Hawaii organizers name, address, and signature

Hawaii does not require original signatures on new HI LLC filings. The HI business Registration Division will send your filed document to the mailing address on the form. If you file online, they send you an email to tell you how to view your filing on their website.

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? You can save some money:

If you want to start a business in Hawaii yourself, you can just hire us as your Hawaii registered agent, and you'll instantly have the Hawaii LLC or corporation forms to file along with filing instructions on the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way to incorporate a Hawaii corporation or form a Hawaii LLC. You'll get the ongoing support of our online tools, reminders and the support of a professional Hawaii registered agent service.