Anyone doing business in Hawaii is required to get one or more licenses, permits, and registrations. The Hawaii Department of Taxation frequently refers to all of these credentials as “licenses.” Their website contains a table that shows all the license types, along with who must register, the fee (if any), and whether the license needs to be renewed. These are licenses for such activities as hotel and short-term accommodation rental, motor vehicle transportation rental, and distribution and sale of fuel, alcohol, and tobacco.
In addition, there are a number of permits at the county and city level. Honolulu County, for example, requires zoning permits, which restrict where certain types of businesses can operate. Anyone who sells alcoholic beverages will need a liquor license from the local government. In some parts of the state, a business that deploys an alarm system must obtain an alarm permit from the local police department. Signs may require a permit, and electric signs may require an electrical permit as well. If you run a business from your home, you will need the same permits required from a business in a building, and you may need a Home Occupancy Permit.
