While most people likely associate Hawaii with vacation, these beautiful islands are home to hundreds of thousands of small businesses run by hard-working people who rarely get a break. If you’re a business owner in Hawaii and looking for funding, you’ve come to the right place. Below, you’ll find grants and loans only available to Hawaii employers. Take a look.
Department or Agency: Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA)
Loan or Grant title: CNHA Loan Fund Small Business Loan
Through its $9 million loan fund, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement created a small business loan in an effort to empower businesses in Hawaii. Small business loans are available in the range of $10,000 to $250,000 and can be used toward start-up capital, expansion, improvements, and equipment.
Department or Agency: Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Loan or Grant title: Hua Kanu Business Loan
Established business owners who are native to Hawaii may be eligible to apply for a low-cost loan ranging between $150,000 and $1 million. Funds are intended to help businesses grow and expand; you can use them for working capital, inventory, and equipment purchases.
Department or Agency: Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Loan or Grant title: Mahi ‘Ai Business Loan
Loans are available for small agricultural businesses in amounts ranging between $2,500 and $100,000. Eligibility requirements stipulate that applicants must be Hawaii residents and of Native Hawaiian ancestry. Loans can be used to establish or expand a business or for working capital.
Department or Agency: Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Loan or Grant title: Malama Business Loan
Native Hawaiian business owners can receive financial support through the Malama Business Loan. This loan ranges from $2,500 to $149,999 and was designed to be used toward working capital, to start a new business, or to grow an existing business. Applicants must be Hawaii residents in order to qualify.
Department or Agency: State of Hawaii Agricultural Loan Division
Loan or Grant title: Food Manufacturing Loan
Licensed food manufacturers in the state of Hawaii may be eligible for two types of Food Manufacturing Loans: Facility Loans and Operating Loans. Facility loans max out at $500,000 and can be used toward the purchasing or improvement of land, buildings, or equipment. Operating Loans max out at $300,000 and can be used toward inventory, supplies, marketing, and other expenses.
Department or Agency: Hawaii Business Development and Support Division
Loan or Grant title: Community-Based Economic Development Loan
The Community-Based Economic Development Loan program offers assistance to small businesses in the state, with an emphasis on supporting the agricultural/food processing and manufacturing/wholesaling industries. Loans generally range from $50,000 to $125,000 and can be used for construction and improvements of facilities, working capital, marketing expenses, and more.
Department or Agency: Hawaii Technology Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: Hi-CAP Loans Authority
Hawaii Technology Development Corporation’s Hi-CAP Program provides assistance to small businesses and economically disadvantaged business owners. The program specifically provides capital to help businesses launch projects that will have a positive impact on the community.
Department or Agency: Lei Ho’Olaha
Loan or Grant title: Working Capital Loans
Small business owners residing in any of the Hawaiian islands can apply for a Working Capital Loan from Lei Ho’Olaha, a native community development financial institution. Loans range from $25,000 to $50,000 and can be used toward working capital, refinancing of debt, and to cover fees owed in outstanding invoices.
Department or Agency: Lei Ho’Olaha
Loan or Grant title: Building Improvement and Rehabilitation Loans
Small business owners residing in any of the Hawaiian islands can apply for a Building Improvement and Rehabilitation Loan from Lei Ho’Olaha, a native community development financial institution. Loans range from $25,000 to $100,000 and can be used toward energy-related equipment, improvements to energy systems, building rehabilitation, and leasehold improvements.
Department or Agency: Lei Ho’Olaha
Loan or Grant title: Facilities Loans
Small business owners residing in any of the Hawaiian islands can apply for a Facilities Loan from Lei Ho’Olaha, a native community development financial institution. Loans range from $100,000 to $250,000 and can be used toward purchasing a new facility or refinancing debt.
Department or Agency: Pacific Gateway Center
Loan or Grant title: Microloan Program
Hawaii small businesses and entrepreneurs could be eligible for a 0% interest loan. This program was designed to make capital more accessible for businesses that may not qualify for traditional financing. It is administered through Kiva, which is a global crowdfunding organization. The microloans are available in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $15,000.
Department or Agency: Waiʻanae Economic Development Council (WEDC)
Loan or Grant title: Small Business Loan Fund
WEDC provides loans of up to $15,000 to businesses that have been in operation for at least one year and are located on the coast of Wai’anae. Training and support are available to help businesses apply and qualify for the loan.
Department or Agency: Kohala Center
Loan or Grant title: Kahiau Rural Business Development Microloan Program
Microloans ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 are available for businesses located on Hawaii Island or Molokai. Business owners must be native to the islands to be eligible. Funds can be used toward supplies, labor, construction, and other business expenses.
Department or Agency: Feed the Hunger Fund (FTHF)
Loan or Grant title: Business Loans
Feed the Hunger Fund (FTHF) is a certified CDFI lending to food-based businesses in Hawaii and California. Eligible Hawaii businesses can get loans from $5,000 to $250,000 for inventory, equipment, working capital, vehicles, property improvements, operating expenses, and more.
Department or Agency: Purple Mai’a
Loan or Grant title: Mālama Design Studio
Mālama Design Studio is a nine-month accelerator designed to support and uplift Native Hawaiian business founders. Eligible businesses must be Native Hawaiian-owned, be in the early stages of growth, and need technical support with graphic design, website development, branding, and social media management. In addition to hands-on training and services, businesses in the accelerator also get a $4,500 stipend to put toward their technology.
Department or Agency: Slow Money Hawaii
Loan or Grant title: Kiva Loans
Slow Money Hawaii partners with Kiva to help eligible Hawaii businesses raise up to $15,000 in microloans. The loans are offered at 0% interest with a three-year repayment period.
Department or Agency: Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC)
Loan or Grant title: Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)
Hawaii’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program gives matching grants to companies in Hawaii that have already received a federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) /Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant or contract. Eligible companies can get the lesser of 50% in matching grants or up to $75,000 in the Phase I award. For Phase II/III, companies can get the lesser of 50% in matching grants or up to $500,000.
Department or Agency: Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC)
Loan or Grant title: Manufacturing Assistance Program (MAP) Grant
HTDC also offers a Manufacturing Assistance Program (MAP), which gives grants to Hawaii-based manufacturers to become more competitive. Eligible manufacturing companies can get up to 20% of their qualified manufacturing expenses reimbursed, up to $100,000.
Department or Agency: American Savings Bank
Loan or Grant title: Business Term Loans
American Savings Bank in Honolulu offers unsecured business term loans from $10,000 to $100,000. Eligible businesses can use the funds for working capital, equipment purchases, vehicles, inventory, or debt consolidation.
Department or Agency: Bank of Hawai’i
Loan or Grant title: Business Term Loans
Bank of Hawai’i offers flexible business term loans for a variety of business purposes. Loan amounts vary, but repayment periods are generally one to five years.
Department or Agency: Central Pacific Bank
Loan or Grant title: Business Express Term Loan
Central Pacific Bank has locations throughout the Hawaiian islands and offers Business Express Term Loans for a variety of financing needs. Eligible businesses can put the funds toward long-term capital investments like purchasing new equipment or improving their business space.
Department or Agency: Central Pacific Bank
Loan or Grant title: Healthcare Practice Loan
Central Pacific Bank offers Healthcare Practice Loans to medical offices and small practices. Eligible healthcare businesses can get a loan of up to $1.5 million to start a new practice, buy equipment, renovate, or purchase commercial property.
Department or Agency: Central Pacific Bank
Loan or Grant title: Commercial Real Estate Loans
Central Pacific Bank has Commercial Real Estate Loans for businesses that need financial support expanding, renovating, or refinancing an existing loan.
