Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post. The counties still regulate through zoning, building permits, liquor licensing and a few trade-specific permits.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 2 of 6: Register for tax
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by None (the general excise tax license is Hawaii’s business license).
Sources and dates
Department of Taxation licensing information; county permitting pages. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
Yes. Neither the state nor any of the four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai) issues a general business license, so the general excise tax license is the only state registration most storefronts post.
None (the general excise tax license is Hawaii’s business license).
Step 2 of 6, register for tax. The steps before it: set up the business.
Who needs a general business license in Hawaii? | DoorWorthy
