Built for Hawaiʻi merchants.
Lower payment costs. More transparency. Stronger local businesses.
Hawaiʻi merchants face some of the highest card payment costs in the country—driven by visitor volume, card-present transactions, and limited negotiating power. The Hawaiʻi Merchants Coalition exists to change that through data, coordination, and policy-aligned solutions.
Free to join. No payment product required. No obligation.
Built for Hawaiʻi merchants.
Lower payment costs. More transparency. Stronger local businesses.
Hawaiʻi merchants face some of the highest card payment costs in the country—driven by visitor volume, card-present transactions, and limited negotiating power. The Hawaiʻi Merchants Coalition exists to change that through data, coordination, and policy-aligned solutions.
Free to join. No payment product required. No obligation.
The payment system works against local businesses
The payment system works against local businesses
Card processing fees take a larger share of revenue for small, local businesses—especially in food, retail, and hospitality.
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Card processing fees take a larger share of revenue for small, local businesses—especially in food, retail, and hospitality.
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Card processing fees take a larger share of revenue for small, local businesses—especially in food, retail, and hospitality.
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A large share of transactions come from non-residents, increasing total fees while national models understate the burden on Hawaiʻi merchants.
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A large share of transactions come from non-residents, increasing total fees while national models understate the burden on Hawaiʻi merchants.
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A large share of transactions come from non-residents, increasing total fees while national models understate the burden on Hawaiʻi merchants.
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Most small businesses accept standard pricing with little visibility into how fees are set or how to reduce them.
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Most small businesses accept standard pricing with little visibility into how fees are set or how to reduce them.
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Most small businesses accept standard pricing with little visibility into how fees are set or how to reduce them.
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What joining the coalition gives you
What joining the coalition gives you
Collective visibility
We aggregate anonymized merchant data to show the real cost of payment fees in Hawaiʻi—something individual businesses cannot do alone.Federal Reserve Bank research on small business margins
Collective visibility
We aggregate anonymized merchant data to show the real cost of payment fees in Hawaiʻi—something individual businesses cannot do alone.Federal Reserve Bank research on small business margins
Safer paths to lower costs
We evaluate compliant, transparent payment options that reduce fees without adding risk or complexity for merchants.
Safer paths to lower costs
We evaluate compliant, transparent payment options that reduce fees without adding risk or complexity for merchants.
A unified merchant voice
Fragmented businesses lack leverage. Coordinated merchants shape outcomes.
A unified merchant voice
Fragmented businesses lack leverage. Coordinated merchants shape outcomes.
Evidence-based advocacy
We use real data to inform policymakers, regulators, and financial institutions—grounded in consumer protection and existing law.
Evidence-based advocacy
We use real data to inform policymakers, regulators, and financial institutions—grounded in consumer protection and existing law.
This coalition is for you if you…
Are a Hawaiʻi-based small or mid-sized business
Accept card payments today
Care about keeping more revenue local
Want lower fees without regulatory risk
Want a seat at the table as payment policy evolves
This coalition is for you if you…
Are a Hawaiʻi-based small or mid-sized business
Accept card payments today
Care about keeping more revenue local
Want lower fees without regulatory risk
Want a seat at the table as payment policy evolves
What joining does — and does not — mean
What joining does — and does not — mean
Does mean:
You are a Hawaiʻi-based business or stakeholder
You accept card or digital payments today
You want payment-cost data in Hawaiʻi to be accurately measured
You support evidence-based analysis of merchant fees
You are willing to be counted (in aggregate) to improve policy
You want a seat at the table as payment policy evolves
Does NOT mean:
You are endorsing any specific payment product or provider
You are committing to use crypto, stablecoins, or new technology
You are taking a political position or supporting legislation
You are publicly identified or individually disclosed
You are opting into marketing, sales, or advocacy campaigns
You are assuming regulatory, legal, or compliance risk
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.