Requirements for Business

Steps to Take to Start a Business

Starting a business can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. Planning for success is one of the best ways to ensure business profitability. Before you establish your business, make sure you've considered the following:

• Name Your Company - Your company name is the first impression you will make on potential clients or customers.
• Write a Business Plan - A well written business plan shows potential investors you're serious and have the potential to succeed.
• Finance the Business - Secure start-up and some operating capital.
• Select a Location - The right location is important to the success of your business. It is important to consider accessibility, size and your budget.
• Establish Your Business - Decide which business entity type meets your needs and acquire the appropriate licenses to operate your business.
• Go to the Federal business website
• Go to the State of Hawai‘i business website

Licenses, Permits and Other Requirements for Business

• General Excise Tax License - The State of Hawai‘i requires all businesses to obtain a General Excise Tax (GET) License from the Department of Taxation that costs $20.00
• Department of Taxation
  The Hawai‘i District Office
  State Office Building
  75 Aupuni Street
  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
• Telephone (Hilo): (808) 974-6321
  Telephone (Kona): (808) 323-4597
• Business Registration - Businesses in the State of Hawai‘i with the exception of sole proprietorship not using a trade name must register their business with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Filing fees are as follows:
• General Partnership - $25.00
• Limited Partnership - $50.00
• Domestic Corporation - $100.00
• Foreign Corporation - $100.00 (minimum) + $100.00 annual fee
• Trade Name - $50.00
• Franchise - $250.00
• Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  Business Registration Division
  King Kalakaua Building
  335 Merchant Street, Room 201
  Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813
• Telephone: (808) 586-2727
  Fax: (808) 586-2733
• Professional and Vocational Licenses - Some professionals require licenses to practice their trade or profession. Contact DCCA to determine if there are license requirements and standards.
• Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  Professional and Vocational Licensing Division
  King Kalakaua Building
  335 Merchant Street, Room 301
  Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813
• Telephone: (808) 586-3000
  Toll-Free Number: 1-808-974-4000 ext. 63000
• Federal Identification Number (Form SS-4) - Businesses with employees, business partnerships and corporations must obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Employer Identification Number is also known as an Employer Tax ID and Form SS-4.
• U.S. Department of Treasury
  Internal Revenue Service
  Prince Kuhio Federal Building
  300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 1002
  Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813
• Toll-Free Number: 1-800-829-1040
• Unemployment Insurance (Form UC-1) - Businesses with one or more full or part-time employees are required to have unemployment insurance for their workers.
• State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
  Unemployment Insurance Division
  1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 101
  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
• Ashikawa Office Building
  81-990 Halekii Street, Room 2090
  Kealakekua, Hawai‘i 96750
• Telephone (Hilo): (808) 974-4086
  Fax (Hilo): (808) 974-4085
• Telephone (Kona): (808) 322-4822
  Fax (Kona): (808) 322-4828
• Workers Compensation, Temporary Disability Insurance and Pre-Paid Health Care - Businesses with one or more full or part-time employees are required to have Workers' Compensation and Temporary Disability Insurance for their employees from private insurance companies.
  
  Employers with employees working 19 1/2 hours for four consecutive weeks are required to carry pre-paid health insurance from private insurance companies.
• State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
  Disability Compensation Division
  75 Aupuni Street, Room 108
  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
• Telephone (Hilo): (808) 974-6464
  Telephone (Kona): (808) 322-4808
• Employee Certification of Citizenship (Form I-9) - Employers must verify eligibility, complete and retain a Form I-9 for each employee.
• U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service
  595 Ala Moana Boulevard
  Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813
• Telephone: (808) 532-3721
• Permits for Businesses in Health Care - Appropriate permits must be obtained by businesses in health care related areas.
• Health Department
  District Health Office
  75 Aupuni Street, Room 105
  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
• Kona Office
  81-980 Halekii Street, Room 103
  Kealakekua, Hawai‘i 96750
• Telephone (Hilo): (808) 974-6006
  Fax (Hilo): (808) 974-6000
• Telephone (Kona): (808) 322-4880
  Fax (Kona): (808) 322-4886
• Permits for Businesses in Food Products - Appropriate permits must be obtained by businesses selling, distributing, or manufacturing food products.
• Hawai‘i District Health Office
  1582 Kamehameha Avenue
  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
• Telephone: (808) 933-0917
  Fax: (808) 933-0400
• Permits for Businesses That Sell Liquor - A license from the Liquor Control Commission must be obtained by businesses or for temporary events that sell, distribute, or manufacture alcohol.
• Liquor Control Commission
  101 Aupuni Street, Suite 230
  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
• Kona Office
  75-5722 Hanama Place, Suite 1107
  Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740
• Telephone (Hilo): (808) 961-8218
  Fax (Hilo): (808) 961-8684
• Telephone (Kona): (808) 327-3549
  Fax (Kona): (808) 327-3550