The state of Hawaii began regulating payday loans in 1999 with the introduction of special check cashing laws that also cover payday lending. Under Hawaii’s payday loan regulations, short-term cash loans do not have a minimum lending period. The longest terms a payday lender can offer a loan for is 32 days.

Hawaii also regulates payday loan amounts and interest rates, like many states that also legalize payday lending. The highest payday loan amount allowed under Hawaii legislation is $600. Lenders may charge interest up to 15% of the borrowed cash amount. No additional fees are permitted, and like payday loans in other states across the US, payday lenders may not collect any collateral for their loans. Hawaii payday lenders also don’t require credit checks to approve cash loans, so any customer who needs emergency cash can borrow from a payday lender regardless of their credit score.

Consumers are expected to repay their payday loans in full at the end of the loan period, which usually falls on the customer’s next payday. For this reason, make sure that you only borrow as much as you can comfortably afford to pay back from your next paycheck. If you have trouble affording your payday loan, you may arrange a payment plan with your lender, usually with installments scheduled every payday until your loan is paid in full. Like most states, a payday lender cannot threaten criminal action against you for a bad check, however they can take you to court if your check bounces because you canceled the payment through your bank. If you change your mind about a payday loan, tell your lender immediately before you sign the lending agreement.

Hawaii payday loan laws make payday lending safe and affordable for consumers and cash loan providers. You can find a lender near you today by searching for payday loans in Hawaii.