Lending data
Who actually lends to construction and contracting businesses in Hawaii?
95 SBA 7(a) loans went to construction and contracting businesses in Hawaii recently, at a median of $50,000. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
95 SBA 7(a) loans went to construction and contracting businesses in Hawaii in the most recent fiscal years. The median was $50,000 over 5 years. The most active lender was Central Pacific Bank, with 66 loans.
What lending to construction and contracting businesses in Hawaii actually looks like
Every figure on this page is computed from SBA 7(a) loan-level FOIA data released 2026-06-30. It reflects loans that were actually approved, not rate cards or advertised ranges.
| Measure | Construction and contracting, Hawaii | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 95 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $50,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $22,000 - $150,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 5 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 11.00% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 18.9% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | 6.0% | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to construction and contracting businesses in Hawaii. This is the list worth working from, because a lender that has funded dozens of businesses like yours in your state has seen your file before.
| Lender | Loans | Median loan | Startup share | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Pacific Bank | 66 | $40,000 | 26% | 11.00% |
| Readycap Lending, LLC | 6 | $164,750 | 0% | 12.00% |
| BayFirst National Bank | 3 | $150,000 | 0% | 13.25% |
| TowneBank | 2 | $801,900 | 0% | 9.38% |
| Newtek Bank | 2 | $362,500 | 0% | 11.12% |
| Northeast Bank | 2 | $150,000 | 0% | 10.75% |
| The Huntington National Bank | 2 | $1,663,200 | 0% | 10.38% |
| Lendistry SBLC, LLC | 2 | $152,700 | 0% | 12.75% |
| First Hawaiian Bank | 2 | $75,000 | 0% | 10.00% |
| CenTrust Bank | 2 | $127,500 | 50% | 11.25% |
What stands out in this market
Reading the figures above against the national picture:
- Loans here run smaller than average. The median of $50,000 is 67% below the $150,000 national median. Smaller loans price higher under the SBA spread caps, so budget for a rate above the headline range.
- This is a hard market for new businesses. Only 19% of these loans went to startups, against 34% nationally. If you are pre-revenue, work from the startup table below rather than the main list.
- One lender dominates. Central Pacific Bank alone made 69% of these loans, and the top three made 79%. That concentration usually means a lender with a dedicated program for this sector — worth starting there, but get a second quote so you know the terms are competitive.
- Rates run higher here. The median initial rate of 11.00% is 0.75 points above the 10.25% national median, which usually tracks loan size and perceived sector risk rather than geography.
- Terms are short, at a median of 5 years — shorter than the ten years typical of 7(a) lending, which points to equipment and working capital rather than property.
Which of them lend to new businesses
Of those loans, 18.9% went to businesses the SBA classes as startups — new, under two years old, or opening with the proceeds. These are the lenders in this market that actually wrote them.
| Lender | Loans | Median loan | Startup share | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Pacific Bank | 17 | $40,000 | 26% | 11.00% |
How to use this
- Shortlist three lenders from the table whose median loan is close to what you need.
- Ask each whether they are a Preferred Lender and how many 7(a) loans they closed last year. See choosing an SBA lender.
- Check your coverage first with the affordability calculator so you ask for a number the cash flow supports.
- Assemble the package before you call. The document checklist is the single biggest thing you control.
Compare other markets
- Other sectors in Hawaii: restaurants and hotels, retail, admin services, healthcare, personal services, professional services
- Construction in comparable states: Vermont, Delaware, Montana, West Virginia, Mississippi, New Mexico