Doing business in Hawaii means working with an island economy unlike anywhere else in the country. Tourism is the main driver, with millions of visitors a year filling hotels in Waikiki, resorts on Maui's west side and Kona on the Big Island. Almost everything, from restaurant supplies to building materials, arrives by ship, which makes inventory more expensive and lead times longer than on the mainland. Honolulu is also home to a large military presence at Pearl Harbor and surrounding bases, and local agriculture includes coffee from Kona, macadamia nuts and tropical fruit. Visitor counts shift with airline schedules, holidays and events, so local owners plan carefully.

Need merchant cash advance funding of $25K to $5M in Hawaii? Forward Funders shops one application to multiple funders for you.

Start Your Funding Application

How a Merchant Cash Advance Works

A merchant cash advance is the purchase of part of your future receivables. A funder pays a lump sum now and receives an agreed share of future Hawaii sales until the purchased amount is delivered, so remittances track how your business actually earns. Hawaii offers through our network range from $25,000 to $5,000,000, based on revenue and each funder's review.

Doing Business in Hawaii

Island businesses deal with Jones Act shipping costs, limited warehouse space and a workforce that faces one of the highest costs of living in the nation. Visitor arrivals from the U.S. West Coast, Japan and Canada each follow different calendars, so a shop in Waikiki may see a different busy season than a restaurant on Kauai. Local customers, military families and government workers provide a steadier base.

Who Qualifies in Hawaii

Hawaii funders typically look at deposit consistency, time in business and recent business bank statements. Because shipping costs are so high, they understand that island businesses carry more inventory relative to sales. Tourism-dependent businesses should be ready to show how revenue moves through the year. Credit is reviewed as part of the file, and approval is subject to funder review.

Hawaii Industries We Serve

Hotels, tours and activities: Tour operators, surf schools and activity companies on Oahu, Maui and Kauai invest in boats, vans and gear.
Restaurants: Island restaurants manage high food costs and shipping delays by stocking up in advance.
Retail: Shops in Waikiki, Kihei and Kailua-Kona buy inventory months ahead because of ocean freight times.
Construction: Contractors face expensive imported materials and long lead times.
Agriculture and specialty foods: Coffee farms, macadamia growers and food producers handle harvest and processing costs.

Our Process in 3 Steps

Apply online. Fill out our short Funding Application and share recent business bank statements.
We shop your file. We present it to funders who work with Hawaii businesses like yours.
Compare and decide. Review each offer and its written terms. If you accept, funds can arrive in as little as 24 to 48 hours after final approval, depending on the funder.

Why Forward Funders

Forward Funders LLC is a broker, not a direct funder. We organize your file and shop it to our network so you can compare real offers. You choose whether to accept. Call (718) 619-9867 or visit our Apply page.

Hawaii Merchant Cash Advance FAQs

Can a Hawaii business use a merchant cash advance to stock up on shipped inventory?

Yes. Because freight from the mainland is slow and costly, many owners use working capital to place larger orders in advance.

Do you work with businesses on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island?

Yes. We serve every island, including Hilo, Kahului, Lihue and Kailua-Kona. The process is online and by phone.

Our tour company depends on visitor numbers. Can we apply?

Yes. Funders look at your deposit history over several months to understand how visitor trends affect your revenue.

Does the time difference with the mainland matter?

No. We work around Hawaii time, and you can complete the application online whenever it suits you.

Can a food truck or plate-lunch business in Hawaii apply?

Yes. Food trucks and small restaurants with consistent card and cash deposits in a business bank account can apply.