How to Start an LLC in Hawaii (2025 Guide)

How to Form an LLC in Hawaii in 5 Steps

In order to form your LLC in Hawaii, there are certain steps you’ll need to complete:

1. Name Your LLC in Hawaii
2. Choose a Registered Agent
3. File the Articles of Organization
4. Create an LLC Operating Agreement
5. Get an EIN

Step 1: Name Your Hawaii LLC

Before you get started, you will need to pick a suitable name for your Hawaii LLC. 

This will need to comply with all applicable naming requirements under Hawaii law and be both succinct and memorable, as this will make it easily searchable by your potential clients.

1. Important Naming Guidelines for Hawaii LLCs:

• Your name must contain the words “limited liability company” or the abbreviations “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
• Your name cannot be “substantially identical” with any other name registered with the Hawaii Business Registration Division. 
• Your name cannot include certain words without prior authorization and/or licensing (e.g., bank, olympiad, CPA, etc.). 
• Your name cannot state or imply that your LLC is connected with a government agency unless this has been permitted in advance. 

We recommend checking out Hawaii’s official naming guidelines for a complete list of naming rules in the state.

2. Conduct a Business Name Search in Hawaii

To ensure your name has not already been taken by another business entity in Hawaii, you can perform a business entity search on the Secretary of State’s website. 

Keep in mind that, if you’re not going to start your LLC right away, it might be a good idea to consider reserving your name. In Hawaii, you can reserve a business name for up to 120 days through the Hawaii Business Express website, with a $10 processing fee.

For more information, you can have a look at our Hawaii LLC Name Search guide.

3. Conduct a Domain Name Search 

It’s important at this stage to also confirm your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don’t plan to make a business website right away, this is an extremely important step as it will prevent others from acquiring it, potentially saving you both time and money in the long term. 

Once you have verified your name is available, you may now select a professional service to complete the LLC formation process for you.

FAQ: Naming a Hawaii LLC

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent in Hawaii

After you find the right name for your LLC, you will need to nominate a Hawaii registered agent. This is a requirement for all LLCs in Hawaii.

What is a registered agent? A registered agent is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving important legal documents on behalf of your business. Think of your registered agent as your business’s primary point of contact with the state.

Who can be a registered agent? A registered agent must be a resident of Hawaii or a business entity (i.e., a commercial registered agent) that has the authority to conduct business in the state. Examples of registered agent options include registered agent services, LLC members, and business attorneys.  

Note: If you plan to use a commercial registered agent, you will need to submit a Commercial Registered Agent Listing Statement to the Hawaii Business Registration Division, with a $100 filing fee.

FAQ: Nominating a Registered Agent

Step 3: File the Hawaii LLC Articles of Organization

To register your Hawaii LLC, you will need to file Form LLC-1: Articles of Organization with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. You can do this online, by mail, by fax, by email, or in person.

Before getting started, we recommend ensuring that you have the following information on hand:

• Your LLC’s finalized name and principal office address (cannot be a P.O. box)
• Your registered agent’s name and street address
• The names and addresses of your LLC’s organizers and members
• Your LLC’s duration period (can be at-will or have a specified termination date)
• Your LLC’s management structure

File the Hawaii LLC Articles of Organization

OPTION 1: File Online With Hawaii Business Express

File Online

– OR –

OPTION 2: File Form LLC-1 by Mail, by Fax, by Email, or in Person

Download Form

State Filing Cost: $50, payable to the State of Hawaii (Nonrefundable) plus $1 State Archive Fee (May be refundable)

Mailing Address:
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Business Registration Division
335 Merchant St.
P.O. Box 40
Honolulu, HI 96810

Office Address:
335 Merchant St.
Room 201
Honolulu, HI 96813

Fax: (808) 586-2733

Email: [email protected]

For help with completing the form, visit our Hawaii Articles of Organization guide.

If you’re expanding your existing business to the state of Hawaii, you’ll need to register as a foreign limited liability company (LLC).

FAQ: Filing Hawaii LLC Documents

Step 4: Create a Hawaii LLC Operating Agreement

LLCs are not required to have an operating agreement in Hawaii, but it’s a good practice to have one.

An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

You can use the free tool in our Business Center to create a custom operating agreement in minutes — or download our free templates:

• Hawaii Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement
• Hawaii Multi-Member LLC Operating Agreement

FAQ: Creating a Hawaii LLC Operating Agreement

Step 5: Get an EIN for Your Hawaii LLC

You can get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for free. It is used to identify a business entity and keep track of a business’s tax reporting. You can think of an EIN as essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for the company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN is required for the following:

• To open a business bank account for the company
• For federal and state tax purposes
• To hire employees for the company

Where do I get an EIN? An EIN is obtained from the IRS (free of charge) by the business owner after forming the company. This can be done online or by mail.

FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: You do not need an SSN to get an EIN. Learn more here.

Get an EIN

Option 1: Request an EIN from the IRS

Apply Online

– OR –

Option 2: Apply for an EIN by Mail or Fax

Download Form

Mail to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999

Fax: (855) 641-6935

Fee: Free

FAQ: Getting an EIN

Best LLC Services in Hawaii Compared

For a comprehensive comparison, read our Best LLC Services review. We reviewed and ranked the top LLC formation services to help you determine the best fit for your new business. 

Important Next Steps to Protect Your Hawaii LLC

After you’ve formed your LLC, you’ll need to complete key steps in order to:

• Separate your personal and business assets
• Stay compliant with state and federal laws

Get a Business Bank Account & Credit Card

Using a dedicated business banking account and business credit card is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your LLC is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

You can protect your business with these two steps:

1. Opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

2. Getting a business credit card:

• Helps you separate personal and business expenses.
• Builds your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise capital later on.

Get Insurance

Even though an LLC offers limited liability, you’ll still likely need to purchase some form of business insurance to protect your LLC’s assets. The most common types are:

• General Liability Insurance: A broad insurance policy that protects your business from lawsuits. Most small businesses get general liability insurance.
• Professional Liability Insurance: A business insurance for professional service providers (consultants, accountants, etc.) that covers against claims of malpractice and other business errors.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance: A type of insurance that provides coverage for employees’ job-related illnesses, injuries, or deaths. In Hawaii, businesses with one or more employees, including LLC members and corporate officers, are required by law to have workers compensation insurance.

Want to learn exactly what coverage your Hawaii business may need? Read our full Hawaii Business Insurance Guide.

Federal LLC Tax Requirements

As a pass-through entity, profits typically flow to your personal tax return. LLC members pay self-employment tax (15.3%) on their earnings.

Income Taxes

In addition to your federal tax obligations, your Hawaii LLC will be required to pay certain state income taxes on the revenue it generates. There are two key state income taxes to be aware of in particular:

• Personal Income Tax: In Hawaii, this tax is set at a gradual rate that ranges between 1.4% and 11% depending on a taxable entity’s income. You can find out the rate at which you’ll need to pay this tax using the Hawaii Department of Taxation’s Individual Tax Tables.
• Corporate Income Tax: This tax is levied at a gradual rate varying between 4.4% and 6.4% on the adjusted net income of any LLCs structured as C corps. 

You can pay and file returns for both of these state income taxes free of charge using the Hawaii Tax Online (HTO) system.

General Excise Tax

Hawaii imposes a 4% general excise tax on the gross income of all businesses operating within the state. 

To meet this requirement, you will need to obtain a GET license by submitting the Hawaii Basic Business Application using the Hawaii Tax Online portal. The filing fee is $20. 

Read our general excise tax guide to find out more.

Employer Taxes

If you have employees in Michigan, you will need to register for Unemployment Insurance Tax through the State of Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. You will also need to sign up for Withholding Tax through the Department of Taxation.

Local Taxes

Some Hawaii cities and counties have their own tax requirements that may affect your LLC such as property and local general excise tax.

You can view the full list of county general excise and use tax surcharges on the Department of Taxation website. Additional information can be found on county property taxes by contacting your county officials or referring to the current tax year’s real property tax rates. 

Most Hawaii LLCs must file their state tax returns by April 15. For help understanding your full tax obligations — and making sure nothing gets missed — check out our full Hawaii LLC Tax Guide.

File Your LLC Annual Report

Your Hawaii LLC will be required to file an annual report with the Department of Commerce each year in order to keep the state’s records on your business up to date. 

This can be done online, by mail, by fax, by email, or in person along with a fee of $15.

The due date for your annual report will depend on the quarter in which it was registered. If your formation date is:

• Between January 1 and March 31, your filing due date is March 31
• Between April 1 and June 30, your filing due date is June 30
• Between July 1 and September 30, your filing due date is September 30
• Between October 1 and December 31, your filing due date is December 31 

Note: Your LLC will need to pay a $10 penalty fee if it misses its filing deadline, and can even face administrative dissolution (after two years).

To stay on top of this deadline and other important compliance tasks, we recommend hiring a professional registered agent service — they can help ensure you never miss a filing.

Hawaii Business Resources

• TRUiC Business Center
• Hawaii Small Business Development Center
• Hawaii Department of Taxation
• Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Hawaii LLC Statutes
• Hawaii Small Business Resources