Lending data
Who actually lends to restaurants, bars, and hotels in Hawaii?
123 SBA 7(a) loans went to restaurants, bars, and hotels in Hawaii recently, at a median of $50,000. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
123 SBA 7(a) loans went to restaurants, bars, and hotels 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 79 loans.
What lending to restaurants, bars, and hotels 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 | Restaurants, bars, and hotels, Hawaii | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 123 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $50,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $27,400 - $170,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 5 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 10.50% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 30.9% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | 9.2% | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to restaurants, bars, and hotels 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 | 79 | $45,000 | 30% | 10.50% |
| Newtek Bank | 7 | $250,000 | 0% | 10.50% |
| Northeast Bank | 6 | $75,000 | 17% | 10.88% |
| First Hawaiian Bank | 4 | $27,500 | 50% | 10.62% |
| Readycap Lending, LLC | 3 | $117,000 | 33% | 10.75% |
| FWBank | 3 | $490,000 | 67% | 9.75% |
| Celtic Bank Corporation | 3 | $842,000 | 0% | 11.25% |
| Hawaii National Bank | 3 | $300,000 | 67% | 8.00% |
| Live Oak Banking Company | 2 | $1,050,000 | 0% | 10.00% |
| PCB Bank | 2 | $2,494,000 | 50% | 9.62% |
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.
- Startup share is about average, at 31% against 34% nationally.
- One lender dominates. Central Pacific Bank alone made 64% of these loans, and the top three made 75%. 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.
- Lenders have been burned here before. 9.2% of loans to this market from the FY2010-2019 cohorts were charged off, against 7.1% overall. That history is why underwriting in this sector is tighter than the numbers alone would suggest — it is not personal.
- 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, 30.9% 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 | 24 | $45,000 | 30% | 10.50% |
| Hawaii National Bank | 2 | $300,000 | 67% | 8.00% |
| FWBank | 2 | $490,000 | 67% | 9.75% |
| First Hawaiian Bank | 2 | $27,500 | 50% | 10.62% |
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: construction, retail, admin services, healthcare, personal services, professional services
- Restaurants and Hotels in comparable states: New Mexico, Nebraska, Arkansas, Rhode Island, Mississippi, Montana