Personalloaner

Hawaii lending rules

Personalloaner covers 1 Census places in Hawaii, which together hold an estimated 341,778 people. Licensed lenders set personal-loan terms here under Hawaii law, and the sourced rules below reach every borrower in the state.

By the Personalloaner Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-16

Compare loan offers Run the numbers first

How we get paid: if you apply through the link above, a lending partner may send us a referral fee. It never changes the rate you are offered or what we publish. We are not a lender and we do not process applications. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Full disclosure.

Key rules for borrowers in Hawaii

RuleDetailSource
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

Places we cover in Hawaii

The Census Bureau counts 1 places in Hawaii, and the largest are linked below.

Compare personal loan offers Run the numbers first

How we get paid: if you apply through the link above, a lending partner may send us a referral fee. It never changes the rate you are offered or what we publish. We are not a lender and we do not process applications. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Full disclosure.

Common questions

How high can interest rates legally go in Hawaii?
The answer turns on the product and on which statute applies to it. This page's table sets out Hawaii's usury cap and licensing rules, and each row carries its publisher and a link to the primary source.
What is Hawaii's position on payday lending?
Each state handles payday lending on its own: some permit it, some cap it, some prohibit it. The sourced row on this page gives Hawaii's current position.
How do I know a lender is licensed in Hawaii?
Consumer lenders generally need a licence issued by the state regulator identified on this page. Verify that licence with the regulator before you commit to anything.

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