Permits for a Brewery in Hilo, Hawaii

Hawaii counties require alcohol server training for employees who serve alcohol. Requirements vary by county. Honolulu requires completion within 60 days of hire.

Authorizes the manufacture of malt beverages and sale for on-premises consumption. Includes taproom privileges. Also authorizes wholesale sales to distributors.

Required before opening or occupying a commercial space in Hawaii. Confirms the building meets building codes, fire codes, and zoning requirements for the intended use.

Businesses operating in Hawaii counties may need a county-level business license in addition to state GET registration. Honolulu requires a business license for certain activities. Requirements vary by county.

Any Hawaii business that plays copyrighted music publicly — background music, live bands, DJs, jukeboxes, or streaming — must obtain public performance licenses from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.

Hawaii employers must register with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) and pay state unemployment insurance tax. New employer rate is approximately 2.4% on the first $56,700 in wages per employee. Registration through the DLIR Employer Services portal.

Hawaii requires workers' compensation insurance for virtually all employers, including those with only one employee. Must be obtained from a licensed insurance carrier, the Hawaii Employers' Mutual Insurance Company (HEMIC), or through self-insurance. Also requires Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) coverage. Regulated by the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Required for commercial establishments with assembly occupancy, cooking operations, or fire suppression systems. Issued by local fire departments (Honolulu Fire Dept, Hawaii County Fire Dept, etc.).

Required for any establishment preparing, serving, or selling food in Hawaii. Issued by the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), Sanitation Branch. Covers food safety, sanitation, and facility standards under Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 11, Chapter 50.

Hawaii requires food establishment employees to obtain food handler training. County health departments enforce requirements.

Required for installing, replacing, or modifying permanent exterior business signage in Hawaii. Must comply with local sign ordinances.

Hawaii imposes a General Excise Tax (GET) on all business activity. The GET rate is 4% for most activities (4.5% in Honolulu with county surcharge). Registration is through the Hawaii Department of Taxation. This is not a sales tax — it is imposed on the business, not the customer, though most businesses pass it through.

Employers in Hawaii must register to withhold state income tax from employee wages. Registration required before first payroll.

Verification from the city or county planning department that the proposed business use is permitted in the zoning district. Required before issuing a business license in Hawaii.