Start a Specific Business in Hawaii
Industry-by-industry guides to licenses, permits, startup costs and first steps for 32 kinds of Hawaii business.
New to this? Start with the Hawaii business formation guide, then come back for the specifics.
a Courier and Delivery BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Catering BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Junk Removal BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Handyman BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Bakery BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Towing BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Coffee Shop BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Lawn Care BusinessLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Short-Term Rental Business on Oahu: $1,000 Registration, $500 Renewal, $1 Million Liability and the Resort-Zone-Only RuleLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Short-Term Rental Business on Maui: Bill 9 Phase-Out in Apartment Districts, B&B and Short-Term Rental Home Permits, 3% County TATLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Short-Term Rental Business on Kauai: Visitor Destination Area Rules, $750 Annual TVNC Renewal and No New Permits Outside the VDALicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Short-Term Rental Business on the Big Island: Hawaii County Registration at $250 Hosted and $500 Unhosted, 180 Days or Fewer, $10,000 FinesLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Property Management Business: Real Estate Broker License Required, Hotel and Caretaker Exemptions and Condo Hotel Operator RegistrationLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Real Estate Brokerage: Broker License After 3 of 5 Years as a Salesperson, Principal Broker Rule and Even-Year December 31 RenewalsLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →an Electrical or Plumbing Business: 5 Years and 10,000 Hours, $306 Triennial Renewal and Why You Also Need a Contractor LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Salon or Barbershop: Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Licenses, 1,800 Hour Cosmetologist Path and the $176 Shop RenewalLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Massage or Lomilomi Business: 570 Hours, Therapist and Establishment Licenses, 12 CE Hours and the Advertising RulesLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Child Care Business: Family Child Care Home Registration (3 to 6 Children) vs Center and Group Home Licenses (7 to 12)Licenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →an Adult Residential Care Home: DOH ARCH Type I and II, Expanded ARCH, Nurse Aide Operator with 1 Year of Experience, Free ApplicationLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Pest Control Business: Pest Control Board Branches 1, 2 and 3, Form PC-9 Termite Report and $278 Biennial RenewalLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Car Dealership or Auto Repair Shop: Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, County-Specific Dealer License and Licensed MechanicsLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Food Truck: DOH Mobile Establishment Permit $300, $200 or $100, Support Kitchen Rule and County Vending LayersLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Homemade Food (Cottage Food) Business: DOH Permit Exemption Since August 24, 2025, pH 4.2 and Aw 0.88 Limits, Required LabelLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a CBD or Hemp Retail Business: DOH $50 Five-Year Registration, 1 mg THC Per Serving Limit and the Flower and Edibles BansLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Smoke Shop or Vape Shop: $50 Retail Tobacco Permit Per Location, $250 Dealer License, 18 Cents a Cigarette and 70% E-Liquid TaxLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Tour Company: PUC Motor Carrier Certificate, Letters From Customers for Each Island and the $66 or $16 Monthly Tour Vehicle TaxLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →an Ocean Recreation Business: DOBOR Commercial Use Permit, $300 a Month or 3% of Gross, and the $1 Per Person Ocean Stewardship FeeLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Wedding Business: Film Office Permits, DLNR WIKI Permit, State Parks Special Use Permit 45 Days Ahead and the No-Arches RuleLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Farm: Ag District Rules, Producer GET Treatment and Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity Farm LoansLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Coffee Farm or Roasting Business: The Kona Blend Rule Rising From 10% to 51% on July 1, 2027 and Label Percentages by WeightLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →an Agritourism or Farm Stay Business: HRS 205-4.5 Ag Tourism Uses, 21-Day Overnight Limit in Maui County Only and County Ordinance PrerequisiteLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →a Car, Moped or E-Bike Rental Business: $7.50 a Day Rental Vehicle Surcharge in 2026, Moped Exclusion and the 2026 E-Bike LawLicenses, permits and startup costs in HawaiiRead the guide →