Hawaii LLC Articles of Organization (LLC-1) Instructions

In this lesson, we will walk you through starting an LLC in Hawaii.

This is done by filing the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) with the Hawaii Business Registration Division.

This is the document that officially creates your Hawaii LLC.

You can file your LLC Articles of Organization online or by mail.

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Hawaii?

It costs $51 to start an LLC in Hawaii.

This is a one-time fee. And this fee is the same for both the online filing and mail filing.

How much is an LLC in Hawaii will explain all of the LLC fees.

How long does it take to get an LLC in Hawaii?

Online filing:

Hawaii LLC approval time is 10-15 business days if you file online.

Mail filing:

Hawaii LLC approval time is 10-15 business days (plus mail time) if you file by mail.

LLC University® recommendation

We recommend the online filing as it’s easier to complete, and the approval time is much faster. The state also prefers online filings too.

However, if you prefer to file by mail, the instructions below will still apply. Download Form LLC-1, prepare a check or money order for $51 (payable to “Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs”) and mail them to:

State of Hawaii – DCCA
Business Registration Division
PO Box 40
Honolulu, HI 96810

The other option is to hire an LLC formation company to file the paperwork for you. If you want to hire a company to form your LLC, check out Best LLC Services in Hawaii for our recommendations.

Instructions for filing Hawaii LLC Articles of Organization Online

If you have a myHawaii account:

• Visit Hawaii Business Express (HBE).
• Then click “Log In” (in the upper right).
• Then click “Go to SSO login” and login.
• Under the “Start” box, you’ll see “Register a new business”. Click the “Get Started” button.
• Skip to the “Start a New Business” section below to follow our instructions.

Create an Online Account with myHawaii:

• If you don’t have an account, visit myHawaii: Create account.
• Enter your email address (or sign in with your Google account), then click “Next”.
• Go to your email inbox and open the message from myHawaii.
• Click the link/button to verify your email.
• Enter your name and create a password. Then click “Next“

Multi-factor authentication:
For security purposes, Hawaii requires you to use Multi-factor authentication.

Select Authenticator App or Text Message/Voice Call.

Text Message/Voice Call

• If you select this option, you’ll receive a phone call with an automated message.
• Enter the code and click the button to verify.

Authenticator App

• If you select this option, you’ll need to open the Authenticator app on your phone (ex: Google Authenticator) and click the add (“+”) button.
• Then scan the QR code on the screen to add it to your phone.
• You’ll also receive a series of “recovery codes”.
• Copy and paste these codes, and keep them with your business records.

Once finished, the system may redirect to your myHawaii dashboard, however, this page isn’t needed. And you can’t file directly from here.

Instead, visit Hawaii Business Express (HBE).

Then click “Log In“. And click “Go to SSO login” to login.

(If this is your first time logging in, you’ll need to enter your address and phone number. Note: the address and phone number can be from any country. Now you’re ready to begin.)
Get Started:

• Visit Hawaii Business Express (HBE)
• Under the “Start” box, you’ll see “Register a new business”. Click the “Get Started” button.

Start a New Business

Select “I would like to register a new business in Hawaii with the Business Registration Division, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.”

Was the business started and based in Hawai`i, or formed and in existence in another State or Country?

Select “Yes, it is based in Hawaii“.

(This will create a “regular” Domestic LLC in Hawaii. This is what most people choose. If you need to register an out-of-state LLC, aka a Foreign LLC registration, then click “No, it is based outside of Hawaii”.)

What is the business structure?

Select “Limited Liability Company” from the dropdown. Then click “Continue“.

1. Company Name

• Prior lesson: Make sure you’ve read the Hawaii LLC name search before proceeding.

Enter your LLC name exactly as you would like it, including your preferred capitalization, as well as the designator “LLC” or “L.L.C.”

Note: The abbreviation “LLC” is the most common.

You can use a comma in your LLC name or you can leave it out.

For example, “ABC Widgets, LLC” and “ABC Widgets LLC” are both acceptable.

2. Mailing Address of Initial Principal Office

Enter the mailing address for your LLC’s principal office address.

The state will use this address when they need to send mail to your LLC.

You can use any street address you like. It could be a home address, an office address, or a friend or family member’s address.

The address can be in Hawaii, but it doesn’t have to be.

3. Registered Agent

• Prior lesson: Make sure you’ve read the Hawaii LLC Registered Agent lesson before proceeding. We have some tips for keeping your address off of public records.

If your LLC’s Registered Agent is a person:

• Select “Individual“.
• Enter their first and last name (in 3A).
• Enter their street address in Hawaii (in 3B).

If you hired a Registered Agent company:

• Select “Entity“.
• Click “Find an agent’s official business name“. Then enter their business name, and click “Search“.
• Copy their name, and paste it on the previous screen.
• Look in the “Organized In” section and make note of the state.
• Look for their “CRA Address” too.
• If they don’t have a CRA Address, look for “Agent Address” instead.
• Select the company’s state of incorporation.
• If you hired Northwest Registered Agent, their state of incorporation is Wyoming.
• If you hired a different Registered Agent company, enter the state they were “Organized In”.
• Enter your Registered Agent’s Hawaii address.

4. Organizers

• Related article: LLC Organizer vs Member and Registered Agent vs LLC Organizer.

An LLC Organizer is the person or company who signs your Hawaii Articles of Organization.

Your LLC just needs to list 1 Organizer.

Note: You can add additional Organizers if you’d like, but it’s not necessary. And as mentioned in the articles above, an Organizer is not automatically an LLC Member (owner).

Organizer #1

• Select “Individual” or “Entity“.
• Most people select “Individual“.
• Enter their name and address.

Don’t click “Add an Organizer” to save Organizer #1 (they are saved automatically).

Only click “Add an Organizer” if you want to add additional Organizers.

5. Period of Duration

In this section, you need to let the State of Hawaii know about the duration of your LLC (how long it will remain in existence).

• If you prefer for your LLC to be “open-ended”, with no set closure date, select “At will”.
• If you prefer for your LLC to automatically be shut down on a specific date, select “Expires on (specific date)” and enter that date.

Pro Tip: I recommend choosing “At will“. This gives you the most flexibility and it means your LLC will remain active indefinitely. And you can always close your LLC, at any time, by filing dissolution paperwork with the state.

6. Management

• Related article: Please see Member-managed vs Manager-managed LLC.

A Member-managed LLC is when all of the LLC Members have the power to bind the LLC in contracts and agreements. And they usually run the day-to-day operations.

A Manager-managed LLC is when one, or a few designated people – called Managers – have the power to bind the LLC in contracts and agreements. And Managers may not always be a Member (owner); although they may be. And the other Members usually take a passive/”back seat” role.

If your LLC is Member-managed:

• Select “Member-managed” (you’ll see “Member #1” appear).
• Enter the 1st Member’s name and address.
• If you have additional Members to add, click “Add a Member”.
• When finished, go to #7.
• Select “Manager-managed” (you’ll see “Manager #1” appear).
• Enter the total number of LLC Members (owners) of the LLC.
• Enter the 1st Manager’s name and address.
• If you have additional Managers to add, click “Add a Manager”.
• When finished, go to #7.

If your LLC is Manager-managed:

You won’t be listing any Members (owners) if your LLC is Manager-managed. You’ll just be listing the total number of Members.

7. Liability of Members

Select whether or not the LLC Members will be liable for the debts and obligations of your Hawaii LLC.

Signature of Organizer

Select “Individual” or “Entity” (this should match what you entered in #4).

If you choose “Individual”, enter their name twice and then click “Review and Purchase” at the bottom.

Review and Confirmation

Review the information you entered for your Hawaii LLC. Check for accuracy and typos.

If you need to make any changes:
Click the small “go back now” link at the top of the page.

If everything looks good:
Check off the “I certify” box at the bottom and then click the “Confirm” button.

Confirmation of Forms/Fees

You’ll see the total Hawaii LLC filing fee on this page.

Email reminders:
By default, there will be a check box selected to receive email reminders for your Hawaii LLC Annual Report. We recommend leaving this selected.

Click “Pay Now” to proceed.

Checkout

Select “Credit Card“. Then enter your payment and billing information.

Click “Continue” to finalize your payment with the state.

Congratulations! Your Hawaii LLC has been filed for processing.

On the next page, you will see a confirmation message and a receipt. You can save/print this page for your records. Now you just need to wait for approval.

How long does it take to get my Hawaii LLC approved?

For online filings, the state will review your LLC filing and approve it within 10-15 business days.

Once your LLC is approved, the state will email you back a stamped and approved copy of your Articles of Organization.

State of Hawaii Contact Info

If you have any questions, you can contact the Hawaii Business Registration Division at 808-586-2727. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 7:45am to 4:30pm Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time.

Matt Horwitz

Founder & Educator, LLC University®

Matt Horwitz is the leading expert on LLC education, and has been teaching for 15 years. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.
 
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.