Business financing in Maui County.
County-by-county financing guides. No paperwork. No social. No ID.
7 institutions are headquartered inside the Maui County line, and 4 more keep a branch here. Below, we say which is which.
Not this lane? Home FinancingPersonal Financing
The doors in Maui County.
The CDFIs, credit unions, and microlenders that actually say yes — county by county, in two languages. We are not a lender. Nobody paid to be listed. And where a county has no good doors, we say so.
- Maui Teachers Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Valley Isle Community Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Kahului Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal · Home
- Lanai Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal
- Maui Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal · Home
- IN THIS LIST
1 of the 14 are CDFI-certified.
The U.S. Treasury certifies them to lend to the people banks pass over. It is a loan, not a favour.
- Molokai Community Credit UnionCDFI-certifiedMinority depositoryPersonal · Home
- Wailuku Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal · Home
Based elsewhere, with a member-facing office inside the Maui County line. You can walk in.
- Aloha Pacific Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Hawaii State Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Hawaiian Financial Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Hawaiiusa Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Accion Opportunity FundAccepts ITIN
Nonprofit small-business lender. Accepts ITIN in place of SSN. Serves most states, in English and Spanish.
Business capital - Grameen AmericaAccepts ITIN
Microloans for women entrepreneurs. Requires photo ID and proof of address — no SSN requirement. Branches in major metro areas.
Business capital - Mission Asset FundAccepts ITIN
Zero-interest lending circles and credit building. SSN or ITIN accepted. Works through nonprofit partners across the country.
Personal
3 of these doors accept an ITIN.
They will open an application with an ITIN instead of a social security number. They are marked ACCEPTS ITIN below.
This guide helps solo contractors and small business owners in Maui County, Hawaii understand their financing options in plain, honest language. It highlights local credit unions, CDFIs, and community lenders who actually serve Maui — not just national programs that are hard to access. Whether you have a Social Security number or an ITIN, there are real pathways here for you. Take your time, compare your options, and never feel pressured to sign anything quickly.
What Is Small Business Financing — and How Does It Work in Maui County?
Business financing is money you borrow or receive to start, run, or grow a business. In Maui County, that can mean a loan from a local credit union, a microloan from a nonprofit lender, a line of credit for seasonal cash flow, or a grant from a state or county program.
Maui's economy is shaped by tourism, construction, agriculture, food service, and a growing number of creative and healing-arts businesses. Lenders who work here understand that revenue can be seasonal — high in winter and spring, slower in summer and fall — so many local options are structured with that in mind.
Financing is not one-size-fits-all.
The right product depends on how long you've been in business, what you need the money for, and what you can comfortably repay.
This guide focuses on local intermediaries — the lenders and organizations that are actually present on Maui — because they tend to be more flexible, more culturally aware, and more willing to work with you than large national banks.
Who Qualifies? Local Economic Context for Maui County Borrowers
You do not need to be a large company or have perfect credit to qualify for business financing in Maui County. Many local and nonprofit lenders work with:
- 01**Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs**
Landscapers, cleaners, caterers, contractors, drivers, and tradespeople.
- 02**Seasonal businesses**
Tour operators, vacation rental hosts, food vendors, and event vendors whose income rises and falls with tourism.
- 03**Agricultural producers**
Maui has a significant farming community, including taro, diversified agriculture, and specialty crops. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and local lenders have products tailored to ag businesses.
- 04**Immigrant entrepreneurs and ITIN holders**
Some lenders in Hawaii accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security Number. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to borrow.
- 05**Native Hawaiian-owned businesses**
There are dedicated programs through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and related organizations.
- 06**Post-disaster recovery businesses**
Following the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire, several emergency and recovery financing programs became available specifically for Maui businesses. Some of these remain active.
Documents You Will Typically Need
Every lender is different, but gathering these documents in advance will make any application smoother:
**Identity & Legal Status**
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or consular ID)
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Business formation documents (Articles of Organization, DBA certificate, or sole proprietor registration with the State of Hawaii)
**Financial Records**
- Last 2–3 years of personal and/or business tax returns (IRS Form 1040, Schedule C, or business returns)
- Last 3–6 months of business bank statements
- A simple profit-and-loss statement (your lender may help you create one)
- List of any current debts or obligations
**Business Information**
- A brief business plan or description of what you do and how you will use the loan
- General Excise Tax (GET) license from the State of Hawaii — this is required for most businesses operating in Hawaii
- Any professional licenses relevant to your trade (contractor's license, food handler permit, etc.)
**For Collateral-Based Loans**
- Property records or vehicle titles if you are pledging collateral
If you are missing some of these, don't give up. Many CDFIs and nonprofit lenders will help you get organized before you apply.
Certified by the U.S. Treasury to lend where a bank will not. Nonprofit, patient, and used to a file that is not clean.
Molokai Community Credit UnionOwned by their members, not by shareholders. They look at your whole story rather than a score, and that is the difference when a bank says no.
Aloha Pacific Credit Union · Hawaii State Credit UnionLocal Lenders, CDFIs, and Resources That Serve Maui County
These are the organizations most likely to actually work with Maui County small businesses.
Hawaii State-Specific Regulatory Notes
Doing business in Hawaii comes with some specific requirements that affect your financing readiness: **General Excise Tax (GET) License** Hawaii does not have a traditional sales tax. Instead, businesses pay a General Excise Tax on gross revenue. You must have a GET license from the Hawaii Department of Taxation before most lenders will work with you. GET licenses are available online at tax.hawaii.gov. Maui County businesses may also owe a 0.5% county surcharge on top of the state GET rate. **Business Registration** All businesses operating in Hawaii must register with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Business Registration Division. Sole proprietors operating under their own name may be exempt, but check first. **Contractor Licensing** If you are a contractor in the trades (construction, electrical, plumbing, HVAC), you must be licensed by the Hawaii Contractors License Board. Some lenders — especially those offering equipment or working capital loans to contractors — will ask to see your license. **Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT)** If your business involves short-term rentals or tourism accommodations, you must also register for and collect the Transient Accommodations Tax. **State Financing Programs** - **Hawaii Capital Loan Program** — Administered by DBEDT, this program provides loans to small businesses that cannot access conventional financing. Income and size limits apply. - **Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC)** — For tech and innovation businesses, HTDC offers grant and loan programs. - **Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Loan Program** — Low-interest loans for Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs. Income and eligibility guidelines apply.
What to Avoid — Predatory Patterns and Common Traps
Not every lender has your best interest in mind. Here are warning signs to watch for, especially in Maui's post-disaster lending environment where some bad actors have tried to take advantage of struggling business owners:
**Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs)**
MCAs are not loans — they are a purchase of your future revenue. They often carry effective interest rates of 40%–150% or more. The daily or weekly repayment structure can quickly drain your cash flow. Avoid unless you fully understand the true cost and have no better option.
**Pressure to Sign Quickly**
No legitimate lender will tell you that a deal expires in 24 hours or that you must sign today. Take your time. Read everything. Ask questions.
**Upfront Fees Before You Receive Money**
Legitimate lenders may charge application or origination fees, but these are typically disclosed clearly and deducted from your loan proceeds — not collected upfront in cash, gift cards, or wire transfers.
**Loan Brokers Without Transparency**
Some brokers earn commissions by placing you with the most expensive lender, not the best one for you. If a broker is involved, ask who pays them and how much.
**"Guaranteed Approval" Promises**
No lender can legally guarantee approval before reviewing your application. This phrase is a red flag.
**Blank Documents**
Never sign a document that has blank spaces, even if you are told they will be filled in later.
**Disaster Loan Scams**
After the Lahaina fire, scammers posed as grant programs or SBA representatives. The real SBA never charges fees for loan applications. If someone asks for payment to access SBA or government programs, walk away and report it to the SBA's Office of Inspector General: 1-800-767-0385.
If something feels wrong, trust that feeling. The Hawaii SBDC and local CDFIs can review a financing offer with you at no cost before you commit.
Plain-Language Summary — What You Should Take Away
Here is the short version of everything in this guide:
1. **You have real options in Maui County**, whether you have perfect credit, no credit, an SSN, or an ITIN. Start with local organizations — Maui County Federal Credit Union, the Hawaii SBDC at UH Maui College, MEDB, and CDFIs like Accion Opportunity Fund or Kiva.
2. **Get your paperwork in order first.** At minimum: your GET license, your tax returns, a few months of bank statements, and your business registration. If you need help organizing these, the SBDC will help you for free.
3. **SBA programs are useful context**, but you access them through local lenders — not directly through the SBA. Ask your credit union or CDFI if they are an SBA-approved lender.
4. **If you were affected by the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire**, there are still recovery programs available. Call the SBDC at (808) 984-2288 or check DBEDT's Maui Strong resources. You do not have to navigate this alone.
5. **Avoid anything that feels rushed, expensive, or unclear.** Legitimate financing takes a little time. The right lender will explain everything to you in plain language and will not pressure you.
Origen Capital is here as a directory and resource — not a lender. Use this guide as a starting point, then reach out to the local organizations listed above. They are the ones who can actually help you move forward.
Same county, another question.
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Personal FinancingPersonal loans, credit building, and ITIN-friendly financing optionsSEE IT IN MAUI COUNTY →4HI COUNTIES WITH DOORSThe whole stateEvery county in Hawaii, in this same lane.23 institutions fund business financing inside Hawaii county lines.OPEN THE STATE →
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