Tourism & Hospitality
Hawaii's $20B tourism industry creates extreme revenue seasonality — resorts and tour operators borrow against peak seasons but face year-round MCA payments
2026 Rankings · Hawaii Business Debt Relief
Top 3 Business Debt Settlement Companies in Hawaii
With 130K small businesses and 63% of bank applicants underserved, Hawaii business owners need proven debt settlement partners. Here are the three firms that can actually help.
130K
Hawaii Small Businesses
$185M
Alt. Lending Volume (2025)
$4.5M
DCCA Action (2024)
Hawaii's extreme geographic isolation creates a small business debt problem unlike any other state — businesses face the nation's highest operating costs, the longest supply chains, and some of the most seasonal revenue patterns in the country. The state's 130,000 small businesses are overwhelmingly concentrated in tourism, restaurants, construction, and healthcare. The Federal Reserve's 2025 survey shows 63% of Hawaii applicants were underserved by traditional banks — one of the highest rates in the nation. Hawaii's usury cap of 10% for consumer lending is low, but commercial transactions operate under broader exemptions. MCA providers aggressively target Hawaii businesses because the combination of high costs, seasonal tourism revenue, and limited local banking options creates perfect conditions for alternative lending dependency.
#1
5.0 Delancey Street was founded in New York City for a specific reason: this is where MCA funders live, and this is where their collection attorneys file. The firm's founding team includes licensed attorneys and former MCA industry insiders — people who worked on the funder side of the table before crossing over to represent the businesses getting squeezed. That dual perspective is their core differentiator.
Hawaii business trapped in MCA debt? Talk to us.
1-212-210-1851
Why Hawaii Businesses Are Vulnerable to Predatory Lending
63%
HI Bank Decline Rate
18+
MCA Bankruptcies (2025)
24-32%
MCA Default Rate
10%
State Usury Cap
The problem spans the area. Every neighborhood has businesses in the MCA cycle:
Honolulu/Oahu
Tourism, restaurants, construction, healthcare
Maui
Tourism, restaurants, agriculture, construction
Big Island (Hawaii)
Agriculture, tourism, energy, construction
Kauai
Tourism, agriculture, small retail
Military Communities
Defense services, healthcare, retail
Need help now?
1-212-210-1851
Legal Landscape: Hawaii Business Debt Protections
Understanding the regulatory framework is the difference between settling on your terms and getting bulldozed:
Hawaii Revised Statutes §478-2 caps interest at 10% for consumer loans. Commercial lending has broader exemptions, and courts have not yet definitively ruled on whether MCAs with fixed daily payments constitute loans subject to the cap. The limited case law reflects Hawaii's small legal market rather than the absence of the problem.
Hawaii DCCA issues consumer advisory on commercial financing risks. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs published a formal advisory warning Hawaii businesses about MCA stacking, undisclosed fees, and the risks of confession of judgment clauses in out-of-state contracts. The advisory noted a 65% increase in complaints from small businesses about commercial financing.
DCCA secures $4.5M in restitution from predatory MCA provider. The department reached a settlement with an online lender that had targeted Hawaii tourism businesses with advances at effective rates exceeding 250%. The settlement included debt cancellation for 95 businesses and a permanent ban from Hawaii markets.
HB 1287 — Hawaii Commercial Finance Disclosure Act introduced. The bill would require APR disclosure and total cost calculations for all commercial financing under $250,000, with specific protections for businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Supported by the Hawaii Small Business Development Center.
Why This Matters for Settlement
Each legal development gives a debt settlement firm more leverage. A funder facing regulatory scrutiny knows that court carries consequences. That turns a 100-cents-on-the-dollar demand into a 40-cent settlement.
The 3 Best Business Debt Settlement Companies for Hawaii Businesses
#1
Delancey Street
5.0
Delancey Street was founded in New York City for a specific reason: this is where MCA funders live, and this is where their collection attorneys file. The firm's founding team includes licensed attorneys and former MCA industry insiders — people who worked on the funder side of the table before crossing over to represent the businesses getting squeezed. That dual perspective is their core differentiator.
For Hawaii businesses, Delancey Street's mainland-based legal expertise provides a critical counterweight to MCA funders who exploit the state's geographic isolation. Their attorneys understand that Hawaii businesses often sign contracts governed by New York or Delaware law — and they know how to challenge those choice-of-law provisions. The distance from mainland courts is a funder advantage that Delancey works to neutralize.
Strengths
- NYC-based, attorney-founded — national MCA expertise
- Former MCA industry insiders who know funder playbooks
- $100M+ settled across 1,000+ cases nationwide
- Can challenge COJs, UCC liens, invoke usury recharacterization
- Zero upfront fees — performance-based only
- Single dedicated team per case
Considerations
- Business debt only — no personal credit cards or student loans
- Minimum debt threshold may apply
- Smaller than mass-market firms — personal attention, not volume
Our Verdict
If your problem is MCA debt, stacked advances, or a COJ/UCC lien against your Hawaii business — Delancey Street is the most relevant choice. For consumer debt, see #2.
#2
National Debt Relief
4.7
National Debt Relief is the largest and most credentialed debt settlement company in the United States. They've served over 1.3 million clients since 2009. Their Trustpilot score sits at 4.7 stars across 43,000+ reviews. Forbes Advisor has named them the top-rated debt settlement company three years running. They carry a BBB A+ rating, IAPDA certification, and ACDR accreditation.
The important caveat for Hawaii business owners: National Debt Relief's core competency is consumer unsecured debt — credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans. They are not built for MCA defense. Their negotiators are IAPDA-certified specialists, not licensed attorneys.
For Hawaii business owners with personal consumer debt — credit cards, medical bills, personal loans accumulated during off-season — National Debt Relief serves Hawaii and understands the unique cost-of-living pressures that compound personal debt in the islands.
Strengths
- 1.3 million clients served — largest in the U.S.
- BBB A+, IAPDA, ACDR, Forbes #1 three years
- No upfront fees — 15-25% post-settlement
- FDIC-insured escrow, 24-48 month programs
Considerations
- Consumer debt only — not MCA or COJ defense
- Not attorney-led
- $7,500 minimum
- Requires stopping payments — credit impact
Our Verdict
For Hawaii business owners with personal consumer debt — NDR is the gold standard. They settle consumer debt, not MCA contracts.
Free consultation — no pressure
1-212-210-1851
Based in NYC · Serving Hawaii
MCA Payments Draining Your Account?
Our attorneys and former MCA insiders have settled over $100M in business debt. We understand Hawaii's commercial lending landscape. Free, no-pressure consultation.
Get Your Free Review#3
CuraDebt
4.3
CuraDebt operates out of Hollywood, Florida and has been in the debt relief business since 2000, making it one of the longest-running firms in the industry. Their distinguishing feature is breadth: they handle consumer debt settlement, business debt (including MCAs and vendor obligations), and IRS tax debt resolution under one roof. For Hawaii business owners who owe the IRS back payroll taxes on top of MCA advances — a common combination — CuraDebt is the only firm on this list that can address both in a single engagement.
Their BBB rating is A+, and their Trustpilot reviews trend positive at 4.9 stars across 216+ reviews. They identify creditor violations under the FDCPA and TCPA as additional settlement leverage. The fee structure is performance-based at roughly 20% of enrolled debt with a price-match guarantee. The minimum debt threshold is $5,000, more accessible than NDR's $7,500 floor.
The tradeoffs for Hawaii business owners are real. CuraDebt is not attorney-led. If you get sued by an MCA funder — which happens frequently when New York-based funders target Hawaii businesses — they can refer you to outside counsel, but the legal work is not in-house. They also lack a client portal or mobile app, so tracking your case progress is manual. For Hawaii business owners dealing with the complexity and speed of MCA litigation, those limitations matter.
Our Verdict
CuraDebt earns its spot for breadth and longevity. If your Hawaii business situation involves a tangle of MCA debt, unpaid vendor invoices, and IRS back taxes, their ability to address all three under one engagement is genuinely useful. But for the specific legal firepower that Hawaii's MCA landscape demands — usury challenges, COJ defense, funder-specific negotiation tactics — you'll likely need an attorney-led firm alongside or instead of CuraDebt.
A Warning About "MCA Relief" Companies
The Hawaii Attorney General's office and the FTC have both received reports of fake 'debt relief' firms contacting businesses trapped in MCA debt via text messages and social media. These operations typically recommend stopping all payments to funders, collect an upfront fee, and then disappear — leaving the business in default, exposed to lawsuits, and out the fee. If someone contacts you unsolicited promising to eliminate your MCA debt, verify their credentials independently. Check for a physical address, a BBB profile, attorney bar numbers, and a track record of completed settlements before signing anything.
Hawaii Business Debt Settlement: At a Glance
| Feature | Delancey Street | National Debt Relief | CuraDebt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney-Led | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MCA Specialist | ✓ | ✗ | Limited |
| COJ / UCC Challenges | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Consumer Debt | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Upfront Fees | None | None ($9 setup) | None |
| Best For | MCA, stacked advances, COJ | Credit cards, medical, personal | Mixed debt |
How to Choose the Right Firm for Your Hawaii Business
If your primary debt is MCA advances or stacked payments — you need an attorney-led firm. Delancey Street is built for this.
If your primary debt is personal consumer debt — National Debt Relief's scale and track record are hard to beat.
Many Hawaii business owners need more than one firm. Specialization matters when the stakes are your business's survival.
How We Evaluated These Companies
Legal credentials (30%) — Attorney-led? Can they file motions and provide legal representation?
MCA specialization (25%) — Factor rates, reconciliation, UCC liens, COJ mechanics?
Fee transparency (15%) — No upfront fees, clearly disclosed structure.
Track record (15%) — Debt resolved, reviews, CFPB history.
Hawaii relevance (15%) — Experience with local industries and state legal tools.
Ready to talk? We pick up the phone.
1-212-210-1851
Your Hawaii Business Deserves Better
We've helped 1,000+ businesses settle over $100M in debt. Talk to us — no pressure, just answers.
Schedule Free ConsultationOr call now: 1-212-210-1851
✓ No upfront fees
✓ Attorney-supervised
✓ $100M+ settled
✓ NYC-based team
Delancey Street is not a law firm. We are a private company based in New York City. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Rankings reflect our editorial assessment. Delancey Street is the publisher and is included in the ranking. Estimates vary by circumstances. We do not guarantee debt reduction amounts. Read all program materials prior to enrollment. Participation may adversely impact credit rating. Data from Federal Reserve, state agencies, and public records as of March 2026. This article may contain affiliate relationships.