Starting a business in Hawaii means dealing with the state's own registration system, its General Excise Tax, and a set of county-level requirements that vary depending on where you operate. Here is the practical breakdown of what you actually need to do.

Step 1: Register with the DCCA

All business entities in Hawaii — corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and trade names — register with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Business Registration Division (BREG). As of July 2026, BREG launched a new online portal replacing the old Hawaii Business Express system. You can file Articles of Organization for an LLC for $50, or Articles of Incorporation for a corporation. Expedited service is available for an additional $25. The portal is at cca.hawaii.gov/breg.

Sole proprietors operating under their own legal name do not need to register an entity, but if you are using a business name (DBA), you will need to file a trade name registration for $51.

Step 2: Get Your General Excise Tax License

Hawaii does not have a traditional sales tax. Instead it has the General Excise Tax, which applies to most business transactions including services. You need a GET license before you start doing business. File Form BB-1 online at hitax.hawaii.gov for a $20 fee. This number also serves as your general business license in Hawaii.

Step 3: Get a Federal EIN

If you are hiring employees, opening a business bank account, or forming an LLC or corporation, you need an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. It is free and you can get it instantly at irs.gov/ein.

Step 4: Check Industry-Specific Licenses

Depending on what you do, you may need additional state or county licenses. Contractors need DCCA licensing. Restaurants need county health permits. Professional services like law, medicine, and accounting have their own licensing boards under the DCCA. The Hawaii Business Action Center can walk you through what applies to your specific business type.

Step 5: File Annual Reports

Once registered, LLCs and corporations must file annual reports with BREG to stay in good standing. Miss the deadline and you risk administrative dissolution. The BREG portal lets you set up email or text reminders tied to your registration.

The whole process can be done online in an afternoon. The DCCA's BREG office is at 335 Merchant Street, Room 201 in Honolulu if you need in-person help, or you can reach them at 1-844-808-3222.