Payday Loans & Cash Advances in Hawaii
HI · no fixed dollar cap — max fee 36%- Max loan: No fixed dollar cap
- Max fee: 36% of the loan's face value
- Term: N/A
- Statute: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 480F-1 et seq. / Act 56
Get a Cash Match in HI
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What a payday loan costs in Hawaii
A cash advance, a payday advance, a payroll advance — whatever the storefront sign says, it's the same product with the same legal ceiling in Hawaii.
The Hawaii fee of $108 per $300 borrowed ranks 18th of 29 fixed-fee states — in the middle of the pack for short-term credit.
| Loan amount | Max fee | Total repaid | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | $72 | $272 | N/A |
| $300 | $108 | $408 | N/A |
| $500 | $180 | $680 | N/A |
The same fee over 14 vs 30 days — why APR looks scary
Hawaii caps the dollar fee, not the APR — so the same fee annualizes differently depending on how long you hold the loan. This is the honest math for a $500 loan:
| Term | Fee | Total repaid | APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 days | $180 | $680 | ≈939% |
| 30 days | $180 | $680 | ≈438% |
The rulebook in Hawaii
| Legal cap | No fixed dollar cap |
| Fee ceiling | 36% APR Cap |
| Term | N/A |
| Rollovers | Forbidden |
| Cooling-off / rescind | N/A |
| Typical APR | Max 36% |
| Statute | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 480F-1 et seq. / Act 56 |
| Regulator | Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions |
Traditional single-payment payday loans are prohibited in Hawaii; small-dollar loans are capped at a 36% APR.
Payday vs PAL vs installment in Hawaii
The payday loan is the fastest tool, rarely the cheapest. Before signing, compare it with the two structured alternatives:
| Payday loan | Credit-union PAL | Online installment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical amount | $100–market-set | $200–$2,000 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Cost | 36% flat fee (~400% APR) | APR capped at 28% federally | APR ≈36%–200% |
| Term | N/A | 1–6 months | 6–24 months |
| Credit check | No hard pull — income-based | Soft pull, credit unions only | Soft-check prequalification common |
| Best for | A one-paycheck gap | Bigger gap, credit-union members | Multi-month shortfalls |
Repaying — and what happens if you can't
- Repayment is a single automatic debit from the account the money went into, due n/a after signing.
- Rollover rules: Forbidden. A "renewal" that adds a fresh fee to the same balance is the classic payday debt spiral — state law is the line between a rollover and a legal new loan.
- Cancellation: Hawaii gives you a rescind window of n/a — return the principal within it and you owe no fee.
- Traditional single-payment payday loans are prohibited in Hawaii; small-dollar loans are capped at a 36% APR.
- If a debit bounces, the bank charges its own NSF fee and the lender may charge the contract late fee — then may sell the debt to a collector. Complaints go to the state regulator, and an unlicensed lender may have no enforceable claim at all.
Four things to try before borrowing
- A payment plan from the bill issuer. Utilities, hospitals, and many landlords must offer hardship payment plans on request — it costs nothing and beats any loan.
- Credit-union PAL. Federal credit unions offer Payday Alternative Loans (PALs): $200–$2,000 at APRs capped at 28% with terms of 1–6 months — several times cheaper than any payday fee, if you can join a credit union.
- Earned-wage access. Employer-connected advance apps let you draw already-worked hours for little or no fee. Slower than a payday loan, far cheaper.
- Local assistance. Community action agencies and charity programs cover one-time bills (rent, utilities, medication) in most metro areas.
31 Hawaii cities covered
Local guides with cost tables and requirements for the biggest Hawaii cities — the law is statewide, but fees hit differently in every local budget.
- Honolulu 352k
- Kailua 52k
- East Honolulu 49k
- Pearl City 47k
- Hilo 45k
- Waipahu 41k
- Kaneohe 33k
- Mililani Town 28k
- Kahului 27k
- Ewa Gentry 23k
- Kihei 22k
- Mililani Mauka 21k
- Makakilo 20k
- Schofield Barracks 20k
- Wahiawa 17k
- Kapolei 17k
- Wailuku 16k
- Royal Kunia 15k
- Halawa 14k
- Ewa Beach 14k
- Waianae 13k
- Waimalu 13k
- Nanakuli 12k
- Lahaina 12k
- Hawaiian Paradise Park 12k
- Waimea 12k
- Waipio 11k
- Kaneohe Station 11k
- Kapaa 11k
- Ocean Pointe 11k
- Kalaoa 10k
What are the requirements for obtaining a Payday Loan in Hawaii?
To get a payday loan in Hawaii, you need to meet some criteria. If you do not qualify for any of them, you will not be able to get a payday loan. Review the main ones and make sure you have everything needed to get a loan:
- 18 is the minimum age
- US citizens and permanent residents
- a resident of Hawaii
- contact number and email address
- permanent source of income
- an active bank account
Need more than a payday loan?
An installment loan in Hawaii spreads $1,000–$5,000 over fixed monthly payments. For lenders operating outside the HI-licensed system, see our honest guide to tribal loans in Hawaii. For the full picture of short-term rules, see payday loans by state.
Hawaii payday loan FAQ
How much can I borrow with a payday loan in Hawaii?
Hawaii sets no fixed dollar cap rather than a single dollar cap, so the amount depends on your income and the lender's underwriting.
Is a cash advance different from a payday loan in Hawaii?
No — cash advance, payday advance, and payroll advance are different names for the same short-term product. Hawaii's cap, fee ceiling, and term rules apply identically, whatever the lender calls it.
What does a $300 payday loan cost in Hawaii?
$108 in fees — 36% of the loan's face value — repaid n/a later. Total repayment: $408.
I need money immediately — how fast can I get a payday loan in Hawaii?
Apply online in the morning: decisions arrive in minutes, and applications approved before the lender's daily cutoff are funded the same business day. After the cutoff or on weekends, funding lands the next business morning.
Do Hawaii payday lenders check credit?
No hard credit check in the traditional sense: approval runs on verifiable income and an active checking account, so weak or thin credit files still get funded. Some lenders record a soft inquiry, which leaves your score untouched.
What happens if I can't repay a payday loan in Hawaii?
State rule: forbidden. A missed debit adds the bank NSF fee and the contract late fee, and the debt may go to a collector. Ask the lender for an extended payment plan before the due date — and escalate to the Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions if the lender refuses to work with you.
How many payday loans can I have at once in Hawaii?
State law says: Forbidden. Your credit history with other lenders is checked through the state database.
Where do I complain about a Hawaii lender?
To the Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions (https://cca.hawaii.gov/dfi) — it licenses and polices every payday lender serving Hawaii residents.
Ready to check offers in Hawaii?
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Check My Eligibility →Online Payday Loan Alternatives in Hawaii
If a two-week payday isn't the right fit, these Hawaii options cover the other common situations — bigger amounts, longer terms, and no-credit-check routes:
Payday Loan Calculator
The legal ceiling computed from state statute — the most a licensed lender may charge. It is the law, not a quote.
Get Payday Loans in Hawaii with All City Payday Loan
Every figure on this page is the legal ceiling computed from state law — the most a licensed lender may charge you. All City Payday Loan matches you with licensed lenders and shows the cost before you commit.
Start with All City Payday Loans →Disclosure. All City Payday Loan is not a lender, not a broker, and does not make credit decisions. Rates and terms are set by third-party lenders and depend on state law and the lender's underwriting; short-term loans carry APRs that may range from 35.99% to 359.99%. A payday loan is a short-term tool for a temporary cash gap — it is not a solution for long-term debt problems. Late or missed payments may result in additional fees and collection activity. Check your lender's license with your state regulator before you sign.