More payment options. Lower fees. Stronger Hawaiʻi.
Outdated credit card payment systems drain more than $700 million annuallyfrom Hawaiʻi’s economy. Hawaiʻi businesses face some of the highest card payment costs in the country.
$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
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.
Organize Local Merchants
We help Hawaiʻi merchants document their real payment costs so they can negotiate better, track improvements, and speak with one voice.
Join the Coalition →Share Clear, Local Data
We collect anonymized fee data to show the true impact of payment costs on Hawaiʻi businesses — something individual merchants can’t do alone.
See the Evidence →Support Practical Solutions
We work with merchants, policymakers, and local partners on safe, modern payment options that keep more dollars circulating in Hawaiʻi.
See the Proposed Solution →Join the Hawaiʻi Coalition
Hawaiʻi 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 CoalitionWhy Merchants Trust Us
Local, Merchant-Led Leadership
Your coalition is guided by Hawaiʻi merchants — not outside institutions. Every initiative reflects real business needs and the real challenges Hawaiʻi businesses face every day.
Transparent, Data-Driven Approach
We collect secure, anonymized fee data to reveal the true cost of payment processing in Hawaiʻi. No data is sold or shared — merchants stay completely in control.
Practical Solutions for Hawaiʻi
We work with merchants, policymakers, and local partners to support safe, modern payment options that reduce costs and keep more of Hawaiʻi’s dollars circulating at home.
Our Mission:
Keep Hawaiʻi Dollars Local
We’re building a merchant-led movement to lower payment fees, strengthen local businesses, and keep more of Hawaiʻi’s dollars circulating here at home — not leaving the islands in processing costs.
Lowering payment costs for local merchants
Providing clear, anonymous data on real fee impacts
Supporting safe, modern payment options tailored to Hawaiʻi
Uniting merchants under one voice for better outcomes
No commitment required. Free for all Hawaiʻi merchants.
Latest from the Coalition
Written by Tad Tobar, Founder & President
Hawaiʻi’s Payment Cost Reality: Why National Models Understate Merchant Swipe Fees
What Is “Keep Hawaiʻi Dollars Local”?
“Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi Dollars Local
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Join the Coalition