- Home
- Government
- Office of the Mayor
- Office Of Economic Development
- Enterprise Zones
Enterprise Zones
The Enterprise Zones (EZ) program partnership is a State and County government effort to assist certain types of businesses in specific areas by creating jobs where they are most needed or appropriate.
If your business is eligible and in an EZ, you can: Reduce your taxes and receive other benefits for up to seven years!
Businesses currently operating in an EZ must increase their average annual number of full-time employees by at least 10% in year one, and 15% annually each year in years 4 to 7.
Example 1: Minimum Number of Employees
Example 2: Minimum Number of Employees
STATE: Businesses that satisfy the gross receipts and hiring requirements each year receive the following tax benefits for seven consecutive years:
COUNTY: Each county will offer eligible businesses additional benefits that may include one or more of the following:
For more information visit the State of Hawaii's Business Development and Support Division
Maui County Enterprise Zone Maps
- Maui Enterprise Zone Map
- West Maui Enterprise Zone Map
- Greater Maui Enterprise Zone Map
- Kahului Enterprise Zone Map
- East Maui Enterprise Zone Map
- Molokai - Lanai Enterprise Zone Map
Eligibility
To enroll in the Enterprise Zone program, at least half of a firm's annual gross income in an EZ must be from one or more of the following activities:- Agricultural production or processing;
- Manufacturing;
- Wholesaling/Distribution;
- Aviation or maritime repair or maintenance;
- Telecommunications switching and delivery;
- Information technology design and production;
- Medical research, clinical trails, and telemedicine;
- For-profit training programs in international business management or environmental remediation;
- Biotechnology research, development, production, or sales;
- Repair or maintenance of assisted technology equipment used by disabled persons;
- Certain types of call centers such as bill collection, technical support for computer hardware and software manufacturers, disease management services, product fulfillment services, or disaster management services;
- Wind energy producers.
Hiring Requirements
Hiring requirements differ based on whether a firm is classified as "existing" or "new" business. All businesses must employ at least one full-time worker (20 hours or more per week)* before beginning participation. All qualified businesses must increase their average annual number of fulltime employees by 10% in the first year.
"Existing" Businesses:
Businesses currently operating in an EZ must increase their average annual number of full-time employees by at least 10% in year one, and 15% annually each year in years 4 to 7.
Example 1: Minimum Number of Employees
Start | YR1 | YR2 | YR3 | YR4 | YR5 | YR6 | YR7 |
10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12.5 | 14 | 15.5 | 17 |
- Agriculture businesses only: In lieu of increasing staff, increase total sales by at least 2%.
- Businesses which need to build out or remodel their EZ site before opening for business are exempt from this requirement until opening for business.
"New" Businesses:
Businesses that start up in, or move to an EZ must maintain at least a 10% increase in the average annual number of full-time employees from the first year in years 2 to 7.Example 2: Minimum Number of Employees
Start | YR1 | YR2 | YR3 | YR4 | YR5 | YR6 | YR7 |
1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
- Agriculture businesses only: In lieu of increasing staff, increase total sales by at least 2%.
Incentives
STATE: Businesses that satisfy the gross receipts and hiring requirements each year receive the following tax benefits for seven consecutive years:- 100% exemption from the General Excise Tax (GET)
- An 80% State non-refundable income tax credit the first year, declining by 10% each year for the next six years.
- An additional State non-refundable income tax credit equal to 80% of Unemployment Insurance premiums paid the first year, declining 10% each year for the next six years.
- Prior to July 1, 2011, licensed contractors were exempt from GET on revenue from construction done at the EZ site of any business enrolled in the EZ Partnership.
COUNTY: Each county will offer eligible businesses additional benefits that may include one or more of the following:
- Priority permit processing
- Zoning or building permit waivers or variances
- Property tax adjustments
- Priority consideration for federal job training or community development funds
EZ Program Information
How to Apply
Contact your County coordinator of the State EZ coordinator for assistance in determining if your business is eligible and located in an EZ.For more information visit the State of Hawaii's Business Development and Support Division
-
Physical Address
110 Ala'ihi Street
Suite 209
Kahului, HI 96732
Phone: (808) 270-5767
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm