Established businesses require support to sustain their operations and tackle daily challenges. This extensive list of federal, state, and county resources provides a wide range of support for business owners.
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT)
Serves as Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conversation information, enterprise zone and foreign trade advantages. In addition, there are a number of mission-specific agencies to DBEDT such as 1) the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation (HSDC), established in 1990 to promote economic development and diversification in Hawaii through a return-driven investment program in partnership with private capital and 2) the High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), established in 1983 to facilitate the development and growth of Hawaii’s commercial high technology industry. Information can be found at: http://invest.hawaii.gov/hi-step
Hawaii Small Business Development Center
Delivers professional consulting, research, and training services to business owners and emerging entrepreneurs. https://hisbdc.org/
Hawaii Enterprise Zone Program
The Enterprise Zones (EZ) partnership program is a collaborative state-county initiative designed to encourage specific types of business activity, job preservation, and job creation in areas where these efforts are most needed through tax and other incentives. https://invest.hawaii.gov/business/ez/
Oahu Economic Development
A private organization that envisions a prosperous Hawaii through partnerships, collaboration and community input. The organization’s focus is working with companies in the high-tech manufacturing sector. https://www.oedb.biz/
Hawaii Island Economic Development
Provides and promotes private sector support and expertise for balanced growth in Hawaii County in partnership with federal, state, county and private resources. Nurtures sustainable growth and development of Hawaii Island, its people and products in balance with the diverse and unique resources of the island and respectful of the native culture. https://www.hiedb.org/
Maui Economic Development
Provides leadership for the responsible design and development of a strong and diversified economy for Maui. Founded on the belief that the most lasting actions are those derived from public/private partnerships. MEDB collaborates with businesses, governments, and academia to implement initiatives endorsed by the community. https://www.medb.org/
Kauai Economic Development
Serves as a catalyst for developing innovative, effective partnerships with public, private, non-profit and other community sectors to accomplish shared goals for a strong economy. https://www.kedb.com/
SCORE
Offers expert counseling, education, and mentoring to Hawaii’s diverse business community. SCORE Hawaii is affiliated with SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business,” a national nonprofit organization committed to supporting entrepreneurship and the success and growth of small businesses across the country. https://www.score.org/hawaii
Hawaii Foreign Trade Zone
The Hawaii Foreign-Trade Zone #9 (FTZ#9) program delivers cost-saving benefits to businesses and entrepreneurs in Hawaii. It has played a key role in maintaining small business activities in the state by helping companies compete in export markets and supporting the growth of new businesses involved in importing and exporting goods. Utilizing a Foreign-Trade Zone allows companies to gain a competitive advantage over foreign-based competitors by reducing specific operational costs associated with international trade. http://ftz9.org/
Small Business Administration
The trusted resource for information on starting and managing a business, as well as loan guarantee support for businesses seeking bank financing. https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business
Small Business Chamber of Commerce Hawaii 