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Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Chapter 2 · Hawaii

Hawaii Registered Agent Chapter (2026): 6 Sections and the 3 Best Agents

The recommended reading for appointing a registered agent in Hawaii in 2026 is Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), Hawaii Registered Agent.co ($99 a year) and HI Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), in that order. Section 1 states the Hawaii rule on a registered agent; the other sections apply it, 6 in all.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Chapter summary

Is a registered agent required? Yes Source text at capitol.hawaii.gov, October 2026
Service prices $99 to $149 a year Posted rates
Recurring report $12.50 a year Source text at files.hawaii.gov, October 2026
Number of sections 6 Outlined below

After this chapter you will understand

  • The legal requirement
  • Who can act as agent
  • How to name or replace the agent
  • How the recommended agents compare

Who we recommend in Hawaii

Cost over three years comes first, then paperwork completed, second-year price, Hawaii fit and price clarity (grading page).

1. Mainstay Filing: best for LLCs that may expand to other states

Recommended first
First year: $149. Second year: $149

Mainstay Filing comes first. A single yearly charge of $149 follows the company if it registers in a second state.

Over three years it costs $150 above Hawaii Registered Agent.co, in exchange for more of the work done.

Price covers

  • A Hawaii street address on record
  • Any papers served on the company get scanned for you at no cost
  • Three government mailings a year are scanned at no cost to you
  • Also serves nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs

Advantages

  • Available in all fifty states
  • Price $149; renews at $149

Limitations

  • Higher by $50 a year
  • Reports remain the owner's job
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Hawaii Registered Agent.co: best for single-state companies

Single-state plan
First year: $99. Second year: $99

Hawaii Registered Agent.co is ranked second: an office address inside the state at $99 per year.

Price covers

  • A Hawaii street address
  • Legal papers scanned and posted

Advantages

  • Costs less each year than Mainstay Filing
  • $99 per year

Limitations

  • Serves Hawaii alone
  • The owner completes the Domestic Limited Liability Company Annual Report
Visit Hawaii Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. HI Registered Agent.org: best for a local alternative

Single-state plan
First year: $99. Second year: $99

HI Registered Agent.org is ranked third: an office address inside the state at $99 per year.

It publishes the same prices as Hawaii Registered Agent.co.

Price covers

  • A Hawaii street address
  • Legal papers scanned and posted

Advantages

  • Costs less each year than Mainstay Filing
  • $99 per year

Limitations

  • Serves Hawaii alone
  • The owner completes the Domestic Limited Liability Company Annual Report
Visit HI Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3 services, side by side

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1 Mainstay Filing $149$149/yr$447 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Hawaii Registered Agent.co $99$99/yr$297 Visit Hawaii Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 HI Registered Agent.org $99$99/yr$297 Visit HI Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Taken from each company's price page on November 13, 2026. The state charges the same whichever agent is named.

How a Hawaii agent is set up

  1. Section 1

    Begin with the legal rule

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

    Reference: Source text at capitol.hawaii.gov, October 2026

  2. Section 2

    Identify eligible agents

    A Hawaii resident, or a business entity formed in Hawaii or authorized to do business there. The LLC cannot be its own agent. Source of the rule: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 428-107.

  3. Section 3

    Select a compliant address

    The address has to be a place of business with a street address in Hawaii. P.O. boxes are not accepted.

    The public record shows the service's address.

  4. Section 4

    Self-service compared with a professional agent

    An owner who meets the tests above may serve; hiring one of the recommended agents costs $99 to $149 a year.

  5. Section 5

    Report the agent's details

    A new LLC names its agent on the Articles of Organization for Limited Liability Company (Form LLC-1), delivered to the Hawaii Secretary of State. Replacing the agent later requires an amendment filed with the same office.

    Reference: Source text at cca.hawaii.gov, October 2026

  6. Section 6

    Watch for changes

    Notices from the state about the Domestic Limited Liability Company Annual Report are sent to your registered agent. The cost is $12.50 every year, with timing given as last day of the quarter in which the LLC was organized.

    Reference: Source text at files.hawaii.gov, October 2026

What the agent costs in Hawaii

ItemPayeeTotal
Hiring an agent The service company$99 to $149 a year
From year two The service company$99 to $149 a year
Repeating report Government$12.50 every year

State fees come from the official pages in the bibliography. Over three years they consist of the filing, two reports and, in a few states, a minimum tax.

How the Hawaii recommendations were ranked

On chapters the price completes (30% of the ranking) came first, with next.

Serving all fifty states outweighed Hawaii Registered Agent.co on the stated weights.

What readers ask

May a Hawaii LLC operate without a registered agent?

Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Can I be my own registered agent?

An owner may serve if eligible; the tests are in sections 2 and 3.

Can I change my registered agent later?

It can be done. An existing LLC files a change with the Hawaii Secretary of State; see section 5.

What does a registered agent cost in Hawaii?

The listed agents run $99 to $149 per year.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

Chiefly the Domestic Limited Liability Company Annual Report, $12.50 every year.

Which registered agent would you choose?

Mainstay Filing, Hawaii Registered Agent.co and HI Registered Agent.org, from the highest ranking to the lowest.

Related chapters

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Bibliography entry for the Hawaii DCCA Business Registration Division release of July chapter: cca.hawaii.gov, consulted October 2026.
  2. Bibliography entry for the Hawaii yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source chapter: files.hawaii.gov, consulted October 2026.
  3. Bibliography entry for the Hawaii formation fee: Filing fee, official source chapter: cca.hawaii.gov, consulted October 2026.
  4. Bibliography entry for the Hawaii formation fee: Filing fee, official source chapter: cca.hawaii.gov, consulted October 2026.
  5. Bibliography entry for the Hawaii registered agent statute chapter: capitol.hawaii.gov, consulted October 2026.
  6. Mainstay Filing, Hawaii service page: consulted November 13, 2026
  7. Hawaii Registered Agent.co, pricing page: consulted November 13, 2026
  8. HI Registered Agent.org, pricing page: consulted November 13, 2026