The three largest of those industries in Hawaii are accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (662 establishments), dental practices (589), and plumbing and HVAC contractors (401). WETYR buys qualifying Hawaii businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Hawaii owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Hawaii
Hawaii ranks 40th in the country for accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms, with 662 establishments, or 0.5% of the U.S. total, against 0.4% of the U.S. population. Below are the fifteen largest categories in Hawaii.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 662 | 45.6 | 1.12 | 40th |
| Dental practices | 589 | 40.6 | 1.00 | 40th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 401 | 27.6 | 0.84 | 43rd |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 377 | 26.0 | 0.64 | 45th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 377 | 26.0 | 0.74 | 45th |
| Electrical contractors | 367 | 25.3 | 1.03 | 43rd |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 360 | 24.8 | 1.24 | 40th |
| Childcare centers | 262 | 18.1 | 0.76 | 47th |
| General auto repair shops | 224 | 15.4 | 0.61 | 49th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 222 | 15.3 | 0.53 | 48th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 192 | 13.2 | 0.88 | 44th |
| IT services and computer systems design | 158 | 10.9 | 0.65 | 40th |
| Medical spas and other personal care | 143 | 9.9 | 1.13 | 37th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 140 | 9.7 | 0.77 | 43rd |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 115 | 7.9 | 0.68 | 49th |
Where Hawaii is over and under the national average
Per resident, Hawaii runs heaviest in security guard and patrol companies (71 establishments, index 1.67, 32nd nationally by count); commercial cleaning and janitorial services (360 establishments, index 1.24, 40th nationally by count); pool, building and dwelling services (85 establishments, index 1.17, 34th nationally by count). That top index of 1.67 means 67% more security guard and patrol companies per Hawaii resident than the U.S. average. A buyer pricing a Hawaii deal in that category has real comparables to work from.
At the other end, Hawaii is thinnest in funeral homes (index 0.27) and local general freight trucking (index 0.42). For an acquirer, an underweight category is worth a second look: scarcity can support pricing, but it also narrows the local buyer pool at exit.
Hawaii counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu County | 3,706 | $99,816 | $832,200 |
| Hawaii County | 889 | $74,238 | $454,900 |
| Maui County | 837 | $95,379 | $800,100 |
| Kauai County | 397 | $88,869 | $742,900 |
Honolulu County, Hawaii County, Maui County hold 93% of the 5,829 tracked establishments across 4 Hawaii counties or areas. Median household income runs from $74,238 in Hawaii County to $99,816 in Honolulu County (1.3x), which changes what a buyer underwrites.
Hawaii metro markets
Honolulu is the Hawaii metro with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms and dental practices.
- Honolulu, about 347,884 residents (Honolulu County); nearest markets Aiea (8 mi), Ewa Beach (10 mi)
Working with WETYR in Hawaii
WETYR buys Hawaii businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Hawaii owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Hawaii. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Hawaii business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Hawaii?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 5,829 establishments in Hawaii across the 36 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 44th among the 50 states. With roughly 1,450,589 residents, that works out to 40.2 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Hawaii holds 0.35% of the U.S. total in these industries and 0.44% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Hawaii?
By establishment count the largest are accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (662), dental practices (589), and plumbing and HVAC contractors (401). Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms alone is 11.4% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Hawaii is most concentrated in security guard and patrol companies, commercial cleaning and janitorial services and pool, building and dwelling services.
Does Hawaii tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Hawaii taxes personal income, so the gain on a sale is generally subject to state tax in addition to federal tax. How much depends on structure: asset versus stock sale, how the purchase price is allocated, and whether part is paid over time. Model the after-tax number with a Hawaii CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Hawaii are most of these businesses located?
Honolulu County leads with about 3,706 tracked establishments, followed by Hawaii County (889) and Maui County (837). Together the top three hold 93% of the state total. Median household income in Honolulu County is $99,816 and the median home value is $832,200. The smallest tracked area is Kauai County with 397.
Sell by industry in Hawaii
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.