If you run a business in Hawai'i and you're not listed in a local directory, you're invisible to a real slice of your potential customers. Someone searching for a plumber in Kailua or a dentist in Honolulu is going to find somebody — the only question is whether that somebody is you.

Here's exactly how to get listed on Hawaii Business Online, what it costs, and how long it takes.

Why Bother With a Directory at All?

Hawai'i is a small-business state to a degree most people don't realize. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration's most recent state profile, small businesses make up 99.3% of all businesses in Hawai'i and employ nearly half the state's private-sector workforce. In a market that dense, discoverability isn't optional — it's the difference between being found and being invisible.

Hawaii Business Online is a local directory — a place to find and list Hawai'i businesses by island and category. It's built for one purpose: getting your business in front of someone who's actively searching for exactly what you offer, right now.

What It Costs

The basic listing is free — name, phone number, and a spot in your category, no cost to get in the door. From there, paid tiers unlock more: top-of-category placement, a photo and website link, and at the higher tiers, a full landing-page-style listing with a photo gallery and featured placement on the homepage and in our News section. Current pricing for each tier is on our plans page.

What You'll Need Before You Start

Getting listed takes about 15 minutes if you have your information ready:

  • Your business name, exactly as you want it to appear
  • Phone number and physical or service address
  • Website URL, if you have one
  • Your business category
  • A short description — 100 to 150 words is a good target
  • A logo or photo, if you're planning to upgrade beyond the free tier

Step by Step

1. Go to the directory. Visit our plans page and pick the tier that fits — free is right there alongside the paid options, no credit card required to start.

2. Fill out your profile. Be specific with your category. The more accurately your business is categorized, the more likely the right customer finds you when they search.

3. Submit and you're live. Free listings appear in the directory right away. If you selected a paid tier, you'll complete payment and your enhanced listing goes live as soon as that's confirmed.

4. Already listed under an old entry? If your business already appears in our directory from an earlier listing, register with the same business name and we'll route your request to claim it instead of creating a duplicate.