Loans by state
Hawaii Business Loans
Running a business in Hawaii means paying mainland prices plus shipping, planning around visitor counts, and ordering inventory weeks before it sells. SMB Compass works with island hotels, contractors, retailers and service firms to structure term, SBA, equipment and inventory financing that fits those longer cash cycles. We can also help you sort out whether the state’s HI-CAP program applies to your project, or whether a free session with a local SBDC advisor is the better first step.
Business financing in Hawaii
SMB Compass provides financing for established businesses from $25,000 to $5 million, with funding in as little as 24 hours. Applying takes a few minutes and won’t affect your credit score.
On this page
Hawaii’s small business economy
The industries employing the most people at Hawaii small businesses: Accommodation and food services; Health care and social assistance; Construction; Retail trade; Other services. Source
GDP: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · Small business data: SBA Office of Advocacy
Business loans we offer in Hawaii
The financing programs available to established Hawaii businesses. Our team helps you choose the one that fits how your business earns and spends.
Financing for Hawaii industries
Where we see the most demand for business financing in Hawaii.
Hotels, lodging and visitor services
Revenue for Hawaii lodging and visitor businesses moves with airline capacity, visitor arrivals and events on each island. Longer-term SBA or term financing suits property renovations and acquisitions, and a credit line keeps payroll steady when bookings dip.
Accommodation and food services is Hawaii’s largest small business employer, with 46,743 small business employees. (source)
Common fits: SBA Loans · Business Term Loans · Business Line of Credit
Construction
Hawaii contractors pay for barged-in materials and skilled labor well before progress payments arrive, and permitting timelines can stretch those gaps. Invoice financing on approved progress billings and equipment financing for trucks and heavy equipment help crews take on larger jobs without running short on cash.
Common fits: Invoice Financing · Equipment Financing · Business Line of Credit
Retail and island distribution
Because nearly everything on shelves arrives by ship, Hawaii retailers and distributors often commit cash to inventory long before it sells, especially ahead of the holidays and peak visitor months. Inventory financing and a revolving line help carry that stock without starving the rest of the business.
Common fits: Inventory Financing · Business Line of Credit · Purchase Order Financing
Free help for Hawaii business owners
Public and nonprofit resources worth knowing about, alongside private financing.
SBDC
Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network
No-cost business advising from a program of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, with a lead center in Hilo and centers in Kona, Kauai, Maui and Oahu.
SBA district office
SBA Hawaii District Office
Honolulu office at 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 1-306, serving Hawaii plus Guam, American Samoa and other Pacific jurisdictions, with a branch in Guam.
State capital program
Hawaii Capital (HI-CAP)
SSBCI-funded collateral support through local lenders, direct loans through the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, a CDFI micro-loan pool and venture investment, run by HTDC and HGIA under DBEDT.
How to get a business loan in Hawaii
Most Hawaii businesses we work with have at least a year in business and steady monthly revenue. Your advisor walks you through each option, including what it costs and how repayment works.
- Decide how much you need and what it’s for
- Check your personal and business credit
- Gather three to six months of bank statements and recent tax returns
- Apply online with SMB Compass (it won’t affect your credit score)
- Review your options with your advisor
- Accept the offer that fits and receive funding
Where we work in Hawaii
We provide financing for businesses statewide, including in Urban Honolulu, East Honolulu, Pearl City, Hilo, Waipahu, Kailua, Kaneohe and Kahului.
FAQ
Hawaii business loan questions
What is HI-CAP and can it help my Hawaii business borrow?
HI-CAP is Hawaii’s State Small Business Credit Initiative program, backed by $62 million in federal funding and run by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation and the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority. It offers collateral support through local lenders, direct loans for projects in areas such as renewable energy, local agriculture and manufacturing, and a CDFI micro-loan pool.
Can I get free business advice on my island?
The Hawaii SBDC, a program of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, has centers in Hilo, Kona, Kauai, Maui and Oahu. Advisors can help with cash flow projections and loan applications at no cost.
Does the SBA have an office in Hawaii?
Yes. The SBA Hawaii District Office is at 500 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu, and it also serves Guam, American Samoa and other Pacific jurisdictions through a Guam branch. Neighbor-island owners can work with its staff by phone or through local SBDC centers.
How much of Hawaii’s employment comes from small businesses?
The SBA Office of Advocacy reports that Hawaii’s 144,375 small businesses accounted for 49.6 percent of the state’s employment in 2022, above the national small business share. Accommodation and food services is the largest small business employer, followed by health care.
Sources
- BEA, Gross Domestic Product by State and Personal Income by State, 4th Quarter and Annual 2024, Table 1
- SBA Office of Advocacy, 2026 Small Business Profile: Hawaii
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Urban Honolulu CDP
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, East Honolulu CDP
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Pearl City CDP
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Hilo CDP
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Kahului CDP
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Mililani Town CDP
- HTDC, Hawaii Capital (HI-CAP)
- Hawaii SBDC Lead Center
- SBA Hawaii District Office
- Venable LLP, State Commercial Financing Disclosure Laws (March 2026)
Figures checked 2026-09-23. SMB Compass is a business financing company, not a lender; we may be paid by the lenders we place loans with. This page is general information, not financial or legal advice.