State reference · HI
Hawaii lending rules
Hawaii has 1 Census places covered on Paydayloaning, with a combined estimated population of 341,778. Payday and small-loan terms in Hawaii are set by licensed lenders under state law; the sourced rules below apply to every borrower in the state.
Advertising disclosure: Paydayloaning may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.
The verdict
Prohibited (deferred deposit/payday replaced by licensed small-dollar installment loans under Act 56 of 2021)
Source: Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs · as of 2026-09-16
- Maximum rate
- 12% per year simple interest (consumer credit transactions by written contract)
- Hawaii State Legislature (Hawaii Revised Statutes)
- Licensing
- Installment lender license required (formerly payday lenders)
- Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
- Regulator
- Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions (DFI), Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
- Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Rules are quoted from the cited sources. How payday lending is regulated.
Key rules for borrowers in Hawaii
Quoted from the statute, regulator or agency named in each row.
| 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
All Hawaii citiesWe cover 1 Census place in Hawaii.
Advertising disclosure: Paydayloaning may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.