Debt consolidation in Hawaii

The interest on a typical Hawaii balance

Take the Hawaii average of $5,220 and pay it off in 36 months. At a 24% card APR the payment is about $205 a month and the interest about $2,153. With a 12% consolidation loan the payment drops to about $173 and the interest to about $1,022, a difference of $1,131.

People who carry a balance usually owe more than the per-adult average. On $13,000 the same comparison is $5,361 of card interest against $2,544 on the loan. These rates are examples, not offers. Your APR depends on your credit, income and the lender, and an origination fee reduces the savings. See what lenders look for.

Personal loan rules in Hawaii

Hawaii has two main routes for non-bank personal loans. Small installment loans up to $1,500 allow 36% interest plus a monthly fee, which can push the APR on a small loan into triple digits, while larger loans from licensed finance companies are capped much lower.

• Licensed installment lender loans (Haw. Rev. Stat. ch. 480J), maximum $1,500, term up to 12 months: 36% per year interest, plus a monthly maintenance fee of $25 (loans under $300), $30 ($300 to $699.99) or $35 ($700 and up); total loan charges may not exceed 50% of the principal (Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 480J-2(a), 480J-4, 480J-5, as amended by 2025 Haw. Sess. Laws Act 116 (S.B. 1367))
• Licensed financial services loan company loans (Haw. Rev. Stat. ch. 412, art. 9): Precomputed loans: 14% per year (discount or add-on basis) for the first 18 months, then 10.5%, 7% and 4% for later periods, up to 48 months; simple-interest loans: 24% APR (Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 412:9-301, 412:9-302)
• Other consumer credit by written contract (general usury limit): 12% per year simple interest (24% for chapter 412 financial institutions) (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 478-4)

The National Consumer Law Center puts the highest APR allowed in Hawaii at 146% on a $500, six-month loan and 31% on a $2,000, two-year loan (Predatory Installment Lending in the States: How Well Do the States Protect Consumers Against High-Cost Installment Loans? (2025), NCLC, December 2025).

Non-bank lenders need a state license to make these loans. License: Installment lender license (ch. 480J); financial services loan company license (ch. 412, art. 9) for finance companies (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 480J-31; § 412:9-100).

The 2025 amendments (Act 116) to the installment loan law took effect July 1, 2025 and are set to be repealed June 30, 2030, when the prior text is reenacted. NCLC's 146% figure for a $500 six-month loan reflects 36% interest plus the $30 monthly fee, which matches the fee tier for loans of $300 to $699.99 under the amended law. Unlicensed installment loans are void (§ 480J-31(b)).

Compare rate caps in every state. Checked 2026-09-30. Summary for general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and banks chartered in other states may follow different rules. Sources: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 480J-4, Authorized interest rate; Haw. Rev. Stat. § 480J-31, License required; S.B. 1367 H.D.1 C.D.1 (2025), amending §§ 480J-2 and 480J-5; Haw. Rev. Stat. § 412:9-302, Interest rates; Haw. Rev. Stat. § 412:9-100, Definitions (financial services loan company must be licensed); Haw. Rev. Stat. § 478-4, Rate by written contract; NCLC, Predatory Installment Lending in the States (2025), maps 1 and 2 and Appendix C; NCLC resource page for the 2025 report.

Interest saved at different balances

With Hawaii balances among the highest in the country, here is how the same 24% card vs 12% loan comparison scales. Each line is a 36-month payoff.

Where the $5,220 fits in Hawaii household debt

Card balances per adult are up 21.7% since 2019, slower than the national +28.3% (43rd fastest of 51). Balances fell from $4,290 in 2019 to $3,680 in 2020, when spending dropped and stimulus paid down cards, then climbed back to $5,220 by 2025.

Card debt is the most expensive balance most households carry, which is why it is usually the first target for consolidation. In Hawaii, cards, auto loans and student loans add up to $13,020 per adult, 16% below the national $15,470.

Your options in Hawaii

• Debt consolidation loan: one fixed payment and end date, worth it when the APR is clearly below your card rates. How to compare offers.
• Balance transfer card: a 0% introductory APR can beat a loan if you can clear the balance before the promo ends. Balance transfer vs personal loan.
• Debt management plan: a nonprofit credit counseling agency negotiates lower rates with your card issuers. Useful if you cannot qualify for a loan. DMP vs consolidation.

Hawaii next to its neighbors

Among the 5 Pacific states, Hawaii has the 2nd highest card debt per adult.

• Alaska: $5,250 per adult, 9.79% 90+ days late
• Hawaii: $5,220 per adult, 10.17% 90+ days late
• California: $5,000 per adult, 13.2% 90+ days late
• Washington: $4,640 per adult, 9.34% 90+ days late
• Oregon: $4,030 per adult, 9.49% 90+ days late

How many Hawaii borrowers are behind

10.17% of credit card balances in Hawaii were seriously delinquent (90+ days) at the end of 2025. That is 2.2 points below the national rate of 12.36%, placing Hawaii 36th of 51 for card delinquency (1st is the highest). The rate rose 0.8 points in the past year, from 9.37% in 2024. In 2019 the share was 7.17%.

Auto loan delinquency in Hawaii stood at 3.67% (US 5.18%), and student loan delinquency at 8.43% (US 8.25%). If your payments are current, you are in a better position to qualify for a lower rate. If not, read our guide to consolidation loans with bad credit .

Checking a lender in Hawaii

Non-bank consumer lenders in Hawaii are licensed by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Division of Financial Institutions (DFI). Before you accept an offer, look up the lender's license. To report a problem, file with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of Consumer Protection or the CFPB. Never pay upfront fees for debt relief.