Hawaii lending rules
Hawaii has 1 Census places covered on Loansloth, with a combined estimated population of 341,778. Personal-loan terms in Hawaii are set by licensed lenders under state law; the sourced rules below apply to every borrower in the state.
Key rules for borrowers in Hawaii
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year simple interest (consumer credit transactions by written contract) Source says: "to stipulate by written contract, for any rate of simple interest not exceeding one per cent per month or twelve per cent a year". |
Hawaii State Legislature (Hawaii Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Prohibited (deferred deposit/payday replaced by licensed small-dollar installment loans under Act 56 of 2021) Source says: "No. The new law prohibits payday loans the Legislature believed resulted in consumers stuck in a high cost loan". |
Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Installment lender license required (formerly payday lenders) Source says: "Act 56 (2021) is effective January 1, 2022, creating a new statutory license for installment lenders (formerly known as payday lenders)". |
Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions (DFI), Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Source says: "DFI ensures the safety and soundness of state-chartered and state-licensed financial institutions". |
Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-dollar installment loan rate cap | 36% per year maximum interest on the unpaid principal balance (small-dollar installment loans) Source says: "Thirty-six per cent (36%) per year on the portion of the unpaid principal balance of the loan". |
Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs as of 2026-09-16 |
Cities in Hawaii
We cover 1 Census places in Hawaii.
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Frequently asked questions
What interest rate can a lender charge in Hawaii?
It depends on the product and the statute that governs it. The sourced table on this page lists Hawaii's usury cap and the licensing rules, each with its publisher and a link to the primary source.
Are payday loans legal in Hawaii?
Payday lending is regulated state by state; some states permit it, some cap it, and some prohibit it outright. See the sourced figure on this page for the current position.
Do I need a license to lend money in Hawaii?
Most consumer lenders must be licensed by the state regulator named on this page. You can verify a lender's license with that regulator before you sign anything.