Start a New Business in Hawaii
small business resources for women entrepreneurs
Being a business owner can be daunting, but you don't have to face it by yourself. I’m committed to helping you along the way - whether you’re just starting out or taking your business to the next level. That's why I’m sharing Hawaii business development resources to support women like you on your entrepreneurial journey.
This is by no means a complete list. It’s a helping hand and a place for you to start researching the best resources for your needs. I believe that we all do better when we come together as a community and share information with each other. If you know of a resource that would help our community and you’d like me to add it to this list, please contact me. I’d love to hear from you!
Hawaii Government Agencies
State of Hawaii - Hawaii.gov
The business division of the State of Hawaii, the Hawaii.gov website, provides information on starting a business in the state of Hawaii, professional licensing, tax services, how to search for a business, nonprofit organizations, how to do business with the state, register a business online, and business annual report filing.
If you’re new to business ownership and want to learn everything about starting a business in Hawaii, visit the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Business Action Center.
Phone: 808-586-2545
State of Hawaii website
Hawaii Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration’s Hawaii district office provides services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting, certifications, and disaster recovery. They can also connect you to partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed.
The Honolulu, Hawaii office services the state of Hawaii, the territories of Guam and American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Main office:
500 Ala Moana Boulevard
Suite 1-306
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: 808-541-2990
Hawaii Small Business Administration SBA website
Guam location:
400 Route 8
Suite 302
Maite, GU 96910
Phone: 671-472-7277
Hawaii Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations
The Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership (MCBL)
The Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership (MCBL) was established by YWCA Oahu, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and a community of partners to become the only Women’s Business Center (WBC) in Hawaii.
It is designed to assist women in starting and growing small businesses, and seek to “level the playing field” for women entrepreneurs who still face unique obstacles in the business world.
MCBL is named in honor of Patsy T. Mink for her dedication to helping women through legislative reforms. She was a transformative leader and a national voice for gender equality, education, peace, and much more.
1040 Richards Street
#105
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: 808-695-2635
Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership website
Hawaii Small Business Development Center - HISBDC
Established in 1990, the Hawaii Small Business Development Center is the only state-wide business assistance organization in Hawaii.
Whether you are an existing business owner or an entrepreneur who plans to open a new business, the Hawaii SBDC can provide you with the resources to achieve your dreams.
Successful business managers are lifetime learners. The Hawaii SBDC offers access to a variety of workshops and resources to maximize your management skills.
Understanding the marketplace is critical. The Hawaii SBDC can assist you in analyzing the market to ensure you are well-positioned for success.
Hawaii Island - Hilo
100 Pauahi Street
Suite 109
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: 808-933-0776
Hawaii Small Business Development Center SBDC website
Hawaii Island - Kona
73-970 Makakō Bay Drive
Suite 108
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
Phone: 808-333-5000
Maui / Kaua’i
2970 Kele Street
Suite 101
Līhuʻe, Hawaii 96766
Phone: 808-241-3148
Maui Research & Technology Center
590 Līpoa Pkwy
Suite 264
Kīhei, Hawaii 96753-6913
Phone: 808-875-5990
Oahu
677 Ala Moana Boulevard
Suite 612
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: 808-945-1430
Funding - State and Federal Sources
U.S. Small Business Administration
Loans, investment capital, disaster assistance, surety bonds, and grants are available to you to start and grow a business as well as to recover from a disaster.
Hawaii Educational Institutions
University of Hawaii - Shidler College of Business
A leader among U.S. business schools for its expertise in international business education focus on the Asia-Pacific region, the Shidler College of Business provides students with an in-depth understanding of the best business practices, an awareness of languages and cultures, and a solid comprehension of emerging technologies within today's complex global economic environment.
The College offers students a wide selection of degree, certificate, and executive programs in a unique multicultural learning environment enhanced by collaborative learning, research projects, international speakers, internships, study abroad and career opportunities.
Whether students are interested in doing business in the global economy or in becoming an entrepreneur, the Shidler College of Business provides them with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in today's dynamic business world.
2404 Maile Way
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
Phone: 808-956-8377
University of Hawaii Shidler College of Business website
Hawaii Pacific University - HPU - College of Business
Hawaii Pacific University understands that students need the flexibility to explore different areas of business while acquiring real-world skills that are directly applicable to whatever path they choose.
The HPU College of Business is committed to offering business students the experiential learning opportunities the College believes are key to translating what they learn in the classroom into their individual careers. That’s why HPU became the first university to partner with Coursera’s Career Academy, providing students at the undergraduate and graduate levels access to Career Academy certificates that complement business students’ degree programs of choice.
900 Fort Street Mall
Suite 600
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: 808-544-0283
Hawaii Pacific University College of Business website
Hawaii Business Publications
Hawaii Business Magazine
This monthly print magazine covers the big issues impacting Hawaii, its people, companies and nonprofits, such as climate change, the cost of living, affordable housing, entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, education, and other important issues.
The editorial team works hard to cultivate relationships with sources and dig for information so that readers receive in-depth, fact-based articles. Readers also receive useful information that helps companies succeed and helps them advance their careers.
1088 Bishop Street
Suite LL2
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: 808-537-9500
Hawaii Business Magazine website
Pacific Business News
Pacific Business News provides the latest breaking business news, commercial real estate, banking and financial services, technology, healthcare, residential real estate, people on the move, travel and tourism, and Pacific innovation.
In addition, a number of events throughout the year enable readers to network, building relationships that grow their businesses.
737 Bishop Street
Suite 1550
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: 808-955-8100