More payment
options.
Lower fees.
Stonger
Hawai'i.
Stonger Hawai'i.
More payment
options.
Lower fees.
Stonger Hawai'i.
Outdated credit card payment systems drain more than $700 million annually from Hawai'i's economy.
Outdated credit card payment systems drain more than $700 million annually from Hawai'i's economy.
Hawaiʻi businesses face some of the highest card payment costs in the country. According to Forbes Advisor, Hawaiʻi merchants incur approximately $4.8 million annually in resident-based card swipe fees, or $39.45 per person—the highest per-capita burden in the U.S.
However, national models largely exclude non-resident transaction volume, which is significant in a visitor-driven economy like Hawaiʻi’s. When tourism spending is included, total annual payment processing fees paid by Hawaiʻi merchants are substantially higher.
$360M—$700M
Estimated annual payment processing fees paid by Hawaiʻi merchants (including visitor spending)
3.5%+
Typical swipe fees
99.3%
Small businesses affected
Hawaiʻi businesses face some of the highest card payment costs in the country. According to Forbes Advisor, Hawaiʻi merchants incur approximately $4.8 million annually in resident-based card swipe fees, or $39.45 per person—the highest per-capita burden in the U.S.
However, national models largely exclude non-resident transaction volume, which is significant in a visitor-driven economy like Hawaiʻi’s. When tourism spending is included, total annual payment processing fees paid by Hawaiʻi merchants are substantially higher.
$360M—$700M
Estimated annual payment processing fees paid by Hawaiʻi merchants (including visitor spending)
3.5%+
Typical swipe fees
99.3%
Small businesses affected
What We Do
What We Do
We work with Hawaiʻi merchants to document real credit card processing fees using transaction-level data, replacing national assumptions with Hawaiʻi-specific evidence to inform modern payment policy.
We help Hawaiʻi merchants document their real payment costs so they can negotiate better, track improvements, and speak with one voice.
We help Hawaiʻi merchants document their real payment costs so they can negotiate better, track improvements, and speak with one voice.
We help Hawaiʻi merchants document their real payment costs so they can negotiate better, track improvements, and speak with one voice.
We collect anonymized fee data to show the true impact of payment costs on Hawaiʻi businesses — something individual merchants can’t do alone.
We collect anonymized fee data to show the true impact of payment costs on Hawaiʻi businesses — something individual merchants can’t do alone.
We collect anonymized fee data to show the true impact of payment costs on Hawaiʻi businesses — something individual merchants can’t do alone.
We work with merchants, policymakers, and local partners on safe, modern payment options that keep more dollars circulating in Hawaiʻi.
We work with merchants, policymakers, and local partners on safe, modern payment options that keep more dollars circulating in Hawaiʻi.
We work with merchants, policymakers, and local partners on safe, modern payment options that keep more dollars circulating in Hawaiʻi.
Join the
Hawai'i
Join the
Hawai'i
Merchants
Merchants
Coalition
Hawai‘i merchants are coming together to lower payment fees, strengthen our local economy, and keep more dollars circulating at home. Add your business to the movement.
Hawai‘i merchants are coming together to lower payment fees, strengthen our local economy, and keep more dollars circulating at home. Add your business to the movement.
Join the
Hawai'i
Merchants
Coalition
Hawai‘i merchants are coming together to lower payment fees, strengthen our local economy, and keep more dollars circulating at home. Add your business to the movement.
Why Merchants Trust Us
Why Merchants Trust Us
Local, Merchant-Led Leadership
01
Your coalition is guided by Hawai‘i merchants — not outside institutions. Every initiative reflects real business needs and the real challenges Hawai‘i businesses face every day.
Local, Merchant-Led Leadership
01
Your coalition is guided by Hawai‘i merchants — not outside institutions. Every initiative reflects real business needs and the real challenges Hawai‘i businesses face every day.
Transparent, Data-Driven Approach
02
We collect secure, anonymized fee data to reveal the true cost of payment processing in Hawai‘i. No data is sold or shared — merchants stay completely in control.
Transparent, Data-Driven Approach
02
We collect secure, anonymized fee data to reveal the true cost of payment processing in Hawai‘i. No data is sold or shared — merchants stay completely in control.
Practical Solutions for Hawai‘i
03
We work with merchants, policymakers, and local partners to support safe, modern payment options that reduce costs and keep more of Hawai‘i’s dollars circulating at home.
Practical Solutions for Hawai‘i
03
We work with merchants, policymakers, and local partners to support safe, modern payment options that reduce costs and keep more of Hawai‘i’s dollars circulating at home.
Local, Merchant-Led Leadership
01
Your coalition is guided by Hawai‘i merchants — not outside institutions. Every initiative reflects real business needs and the real challenges Hawai‘i businesses face every day.
Transparent, Data-Driven Approach
02
We collect secure, anonymized fee data to reveal the true cost of payment processing in Hawai‘i. No data is sold or shared — merchants stay completely in control.
Practical Solutions for Hawai‘i
03
We work with merchants, policymakers, and local partners to support safe, modern payment options that reduce costs and keep more of Hawai‘i’s dollars circulating at home.
Backed by Local Hawai'i Merchants
Our Mission: Keep Hawai'i Dollar Local
We’re building a merchant-led movement to lower payment fees, strengthen local businesses, and keep more of Hawai‘i’s dollars circulating here at home — not leaving the islands in processing costs.
OUR WORK IS FOCUSED ON:
1. Lowering payment costs for local merchants
2. Providing clear, anonymous data on real fee impacts
3. Supporting safe, modern payment options tailored to Hawai‘i
4. Uniting merchants under one voice for better outcomes
We’re building a merchant-led movement to lower payment fees, strengthen local businesses, and keep more of Hawai‘i’s dollars circulating here at home — not leaving the islands in processing costs.
OUR WORK IS FOCUSED ON:
1. Lowering payment costs for local merchants.
2. Providing clear, anonymous data on real fee impacts.
3. Supporting safe, modern payment options tailored to Hawai‘i.
4. Uniting merchants under one voice for better outcomes.
No commitment required.
Free for all Hawai'i merchants.
Backed by Local Hawai'i Merchants
Our Mission:
Keep Hawai'i Dollar Local
We’re building a merchant-led movement to lower payment fees, strengthen local businesses, and keep more of Hawai‘i’s dollars circulating here at home — not leaving the islands in processing costs.
OUR WORK IS FOCUSED ON:
1. Lowering payment costs for local merchants
2. Providing clear, anonymous data on real fee impacts
3. Supporting safe, modern payment options tailored to Hawai‘i
4. Uniting merchants under one voice for better outcomes
No commitment required.
Free for all Hawai'i merchants.
Latest from the Coalition
Latest from the Coalition
December 17, 2025
Written by Tad Tobar, Founder & President, Keep Hawai‘i Dollars Local
December 17, 2025
Written by Tad Tobar, Founder & President, Keep Hawai‘i Dollars Local
December 17, 2025
Written by Tad Tobar, Founder & President, Keep Hawai‘i Dollars Local
December 10, 2025
Written by Tad Tobar, Founder & President, Keep Hawai‘i Dollars Local
December 10, 2025
Written by Tad Tobar, Founder & President, Keep Hawai‘i Dollars Local
December 10, 2025
Written by Tad Tobar, Founder & President, Keep Hawai‘i Dollars Local
Add your business to the coalition record
Joining helps build an evidence-based record of payment costs faced by Hawaiʻi merchants.
Coalition members may be contacted for research validation, aggregated reporting, or policy briefings.
Participation is free. Joining does not commit you to any payment product or political position.
Information is used solely for research, aggregated reporting, and policy analysis.
Add your business to the coalition record
Joining helps build an evidence-based record of payment costs faced by Hawaiʻi merchants.
Coalition members may be contacted for research validation, aggregated reporting, or policy briefings.
Participation is free. Joining does not commit you to any payment product or political position.
Information is used solely for research, aggregated reporting, and policy analysis.
"Hawai'i merchants deserve fair, modern payment options that keep more of their hard-earned dollars circulating here at home. This coalition exists to give local business a unified voice and a practical path toward lower fees and stronger communities."
— Tad Tobar, Founder & President, Keep Hawai'i Dollars Local
"Hawai'i merchants deserve fair, modern payment options that keep more of their hard-earned dollars circulating here at home. This coalition exists to give local business a unified voice and a practical path toward lower fees and stronger communities."
— Tad Tobar, Founder & President, Keep Hawai'i Dollars Local
Stay Updated on Hawai'i's Payment Reform Movement
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Stay Updated on Hawai'i's Payment Reform Movement
News, data, and updates for Hawai‘i merchants — delivered straight to your inbox.