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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Hawaii, you file Articles of Organization, Form LLC-1, with

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<v Dan>the Business Registration Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer

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<v Dan>Affairs, and pay $51.

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<v Maya>What makes up that $51?

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<v Dan>A $50 filing fee, plus a $1 State Archives fee.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Hawaii for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways

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<v Maya>to have it filed for you. What comes first?

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<v Dan>Your name has to include limited liability company, or the abbreviation L.L.C.

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<v Dan>or LLC.

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<v Maya>Any flexibility on the wording?

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<v Dan>Limited may be written Ltd., and company may be Co.

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<v Maya>What's the other rule?

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<v Dan>It can't be substantially identical to a name already registered.

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<v Dan>Search the state's business registry first.

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<v Maya>And holding a name for later?

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<v Dan>A reservation is $10, and it lasts 120 days.

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<v Maya>Who can be my registered agent in Hawaii?

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<v Dan>A Hawaii resident, or a business authorized in Hawaii.

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<v Dan>Either way, it needs a street address in the state.

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<v Maya>Can my LLC be its own agent?

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<v Dan>No, it can't.

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<v Maya>And privacy?

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<v Dan>The agent's address is public.

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<v Dan>That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Dan>Changing agents later costs $25.

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<v Maya>Where do I send it?

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<v Dan>Through the state's online business portal.

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<v Dan>You can also file by email, mail, fax, or in person.

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<v Maya>What does it cost?

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<v Dan>$50, plus the $1 State Archives fee, so $51 in total.

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<v Maya>I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

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<v Dan>Good to meet you, Maya. One more detail on the form: it asks for each organizer,

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<v Dan>and, if the LLC is member-managed, the initial members' names and addresses.

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<v Maya>Is that private?

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<v Dan>No. Every filing is public.

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<v Maya>How fast is the approval?

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<v Dan>The state doesn't publish a processing time.

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<v Dan>And expedited processing isn't available right now.

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<v Maya>Does the state collect an operating agreement?

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<v Dan>No. It isn't filed with the state, and there's no fee.

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<v Dan>Keep it with your records.

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<v Maya>What belongs in it?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>And do I put it in writing?

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<v Dan>Yes. That's the safe way to do it.

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<v Maya>What about the federal side?

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<v Dan>Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your

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<v Dan>Articles.

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<v Maya>How quick is it?

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away.

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<v Maya>Is there a Hawaii tax registration too?

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<v Dan>Most businesses also need a general excise tax license from the Department of

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<v Dan>Taxation. It's a one-time $20.

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<v Maya>And a beneficial ownership report?

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<v Dan>You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What's due after I'm formed?

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<v Dan>An annual report, every year, by the end of the calendar quarter you registered in.

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<v Maya>So my deadline depends on when I formed?

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<v Dan>It does. And you skip the report in the year you form.

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<v Maya>What does it cost?

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<v Dan>$12.50 online.

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<v Maya>What if I'm late?

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<v Dan>A $10 late fee for each year.

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<v Maya>And if I ignore it?

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<v Dan>Skip it for two years and the state can terminate the LLC.

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<v Dan>Reinstatement costs $25, plus the missed reports.

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<v Maya>Give me the do-it-yourself number.

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<v Dan>$51 to form. Plus $20 for the general excise tax license.

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<v Dan>Then $12.50 a year for the annual report online.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Free.

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<v Maya>Anything optional?

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<v Dan>A name reservation at $10. And if you switch agents, $25.

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<v Maya>So how much is that on day one?

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<v Dan>$71, counting the $51 filing and the $20 license.

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<v Maya>Does paper cost more?

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<v Dan>For the annual report, yes. It's $15 on paper, against $12.50

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<v Dan>online.

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<v Maya>And the Articles?

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<v Dan>The same $51 however you file them.

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<v Dan>That's online, email, mail, fax, or in person.

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<v Maya>So filing online is cheaper only on the report.

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<v Dan>Right. And the portal is the simplest route for the Articles.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the late rules.

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<v Maya>What's the price of filing on time?

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<v Dan>$12.50 online.

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<v Maya>And the price of being a year late?

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<v Dan>The $12.50, plus a $10 late fee for that year.

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<v Maya>And two years?

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<v Dan>The state can terminate the LLC by administrative action.

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<v Maya>What does the way back cost?

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<v Dan>Reinstatement is $25, plus the missed reports.

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<v Maya>So on time is simplest.

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<v Dan>By far. It's a small report, and the state sets the date by your quarter.

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<v Maya>Walk me through Form LLC-1.

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<v Dan>The name, the registered agent, and each organizer.

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<v Maya>And members?

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<v Dan>If the LLC is member-managed, the initial members' names and addresses.

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<v Maya>That's a lot of names in public.

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<v Dan>Every filing is public record, so think about who you list.

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<v Maya>What's the total again?

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<v Dan>$51, a $50 filing fee plus the $1 State Archives fee.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your registered agent.

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<v Dan>File Form LLC-1 for $51. Then get your EIN,

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<v Dan>your general excise tax license, and write your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And the calendar?

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<v Dan>The $12.50 annual report, due the quarter you registered in, starting the year after

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<v Dan>you form.

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<v Maya>What if I'd rather have someone else file?

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Hawaii.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee.

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<v Dan>With the $51 state fee, checkout comes to $250.

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<v Maya>What does that include?

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<v Dan>Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year.

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<v Dan>It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the annual report?

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<v Dan>In Hawaii, Mainstay files it by the end of your quarter every year.

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<v Dan>You pay only the $12.50 state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>HI Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the

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<v Dan>state fee, also $250 at checkout.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Hawaii Registered Agent.co. Same offer.

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a

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<v Dan>year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>Hawaii's annual report is cheap and quick.

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<v Dan>So if you'll file it yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99

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<v Dan>a year for the agent alone. The $12.50 state fee is the same either way.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two

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<v Dan>years, for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes, and in Hawaii, that gap pays for having your annual report filed on time.

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<v Maya>Can I hear it one more time?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent with a Hawaii street address,

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<v Dan>file Form LLC-1 for $51, write an operating agreement,

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<v Dan>get your free EIN, and file your $12.50 annual report in your quarter each year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Hawaii LLC.