The 15 Best Home-Based Business Ideas To Start In Hawaii [2024]
Interested in starting a business in in 2024?
We put together 45 of the best businesses you can start in today.
For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of how you can start your profitable, home-based small business in .
Here's the full list:
1. Start a sports nutrition business ($3M/year)
Starting a sports nutrition business could be a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs passionate about health and fitness in Hawaii. This industry continues to grow as more people seek all-natural supplements tailored to specific sports, including martial arts, surfing, and more.
ATH Organics, founded by Stu Kam in Honolulu, is an inspiring example. Stu built the company from his garage, focusing on all-natural supplements for martial arts athletes and turning it into a business generating over $250,000 a month. His journey highlights how prioritizing customer experience and leveraging e-commerce tools like Shopify can lead to substantial success. You can read more about ATH Organics' story here.
A founder built a successful sports nutrition company from scratch, focusing on creating all-natural supplements for martial arts athletes, which now generates over $250,000 a month in revenue by prioritizing customer experience and using tools like Shopify, Klaviyo, Postscript, and Gempages.
2. Start a rescue product ($240K/year)
If you're considering a unique business opportunity in Hawaii, you could start a rescue product venture. A shining example is the SEE/RESCUE Corporation, founded in Honolulu, Hawaii by Dr. Robert Yonover. Dr. Yonover, a Ph.D. volcanologist and inventor, created the SeeRescueStreamer, a patented survival gear that has saved lives worldwide. His commitment to survival technology led to substantial sales, including $20,000 per month from international accounts and military customers, as well as an appearance on ABC's Shark Tank.
The example of SEE/RESCUE Corporation from Honolulu illustrates the possibilities in the field of rescue products in Hawaii. You could leverage the state's unique oceanic environment and innovation-driven culture to develop life-saving equipment. For more insights into Dr. Yonover's journey and the success of his business, check out this detailed case study.
This case study is about a volcanologist and inventor, Dr. Rob Yonover, who created a patented survival gear called SeeRescueStreamer, which led to sales of $20,000 per month with significant sales from international accounts, military group customers, and an appearance on ABC Shark Tank.
3. Start a sports scout business ($60K/year)
Starting a sports scout business could be a highly rewarding venture in Hawaii, combining your passion for sports with the opportunity to help young athletes achieve their dreams. By leveraging your knowledge of sports and scouting, you could identify and nurture emerging talents. One inspiring example of how this concept can flourish is ScoutSmarts, started by Cole in Hawaiian Acres, HI. Cole built ScoutSmarts to help Boy Scouts achieve the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, and now it generates $5k monthly in ad revenue while ranking high on Google for significant keywords (read more about ScoutSmarts here).
With Hawaii's vibrant sports culture and active youth community, you could adapt this model to scout young athletes, offering guidance, resources, and opportunities for advancement. This business model not only provides a steady income but also makes a meaningful impact on the lives of young athletes, much like how Cole helps aspiring Eagle Scouts reach their goals. Make a difference while pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams right in the heart of paradise.
A case study on how a former Eagle Scout built ScoutSmarts to help Boy Scouts achieve the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, generating $5k/mo in ad revenue and reaching top Google rankings for key keywords like "Eagle scout statement of ambitions" and "Cooking merit badge answers."
4. Start a tour company ($898K/year)
Starting a tour company in Hawaii could be a lucrative venture because of the state's immense tourism industry. With a consistently high number of visitors eager to explore the islands' natural beauty, unique culture, and historical landmarks, there is a strong demand for personalized and specialized tours. You could capitalize on this by offering food and drink tours that showcase local cuisine, or adventure tours that make the most of Hawaii’s stunning landscapes.
Moreover, Hawaii's diverse attractions provide the perfect setting for various types of tour businesses, whether it’s sightseeing and historical tours, or adventure and sporting tours. The opportunity to customize your offerings based on your passions and expertise can make your business stand out. To see how others have succeeded in this niche, check out some of these successful case studies for inspiration.
How Jessica Baumgart founded a successful food tour business in Denver, which broke even and started making a profit after just three months, generating $20,000/month in revenue from offering different food tour experiences.
5. Start a travel blog ($1.49M/year)
Starting a travel blog in Hawaii could be a golden opportunity, given the state's unparalleled natural beauty, rich cultural history, and wide array of tourist attractions. Whether you focus on hidden gems, food tours, or adventure activities, there's a virtually endless stream of content you could create to attract readers from around the world.
Living in Hawaii places you at a distinct advantage for capturing authentic and up-to-date experiences, making your blog a valuable resource for potential tourists. You could dive deeper into the business idea or explore successful case studies to see how others have turned this passion into a thriving enterprise.
Learn how Jessica started a niche travel blog and quit her 9-5 job, earning a living wage through Instagram advertising, sponsorships, and affiliate income, while traveling 3-4 times a month and increasing her website traffic from 400 to 25k page views in a year with Pinterest and Instagram growth tactics.
6. Start a travel company ($3.31M/year)
Starting a travel company in Hawaii is a golden opportunity, given the state's popularity as a global travel destination. You could leverage your in-depth knowledge of local attractions, unique cultural experiences, and hidden gems to create bespoke travel packages for tourists, ensuring they have an authentic and memorable stay.
Furthermore, targeting niche markets—such as adventure travel, eco-tourism, or luxury experiences—could set your business apart from competitors. For more insights and successful examples, check out these case studies and details on how to get started here.
Under30Experiences is a travel company for people aged 21-35 that runs small group trips around the world, with over 800 five-star reviews on Facebook, Google, and Yelp combined, and nearly hitting $5M in revenue before the COVID-19 pandemic.
7. Start a cbd business ($1.02M/year)
A CBD business could be a lucrative opportunity to explore in Hawaii, especially given the state's thriving wellness and tourism industries. With CBD's reputation for treating conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, and inflammation, you could cater to both residents seeking natural remedies and tourists looking for holistic wellness options during their stay.
As the CBD market is projected to grow by a CAGR of 21.7 %, you could capitalize on rising consumer awareness and demand for CBD products. To get inspired, check out some successful CBD business case studies on Starter Story and discover various avenues like becoming a CBD distributor, starting a subscription box service, or even running a CBD-focused blog.
Plain Jane, an online CBD company founded by two college roommates, offers unique products and has generated over $20K a month in sales within five months, attracting and retaining customers through social media, authentic stories, and content.
8. Start a cannabis business ($3.26M/year)
Starting a cannabis business in Hawaii could be a lucrative opportunity given the state's progressive stance on medical marijuana and the potential for future recreational legalization. The tropical climate and rich volcanic soil offer ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality cannabis, setting the stage for a thriving local industry.
Moreover, Hawaii attracts millions of tourists annually, presenting additional market potential for cannabis products. You could tap into this growing industry to provide a variety of offerings, from cultivation to retail. For more inspiration, check out these successful cannabis business case studies. To dive deeper into this business idea, see our comprehensive guide on starting a cannabis business.
Plain Jane, an online CBD company founded by two college roommates, offers unique products and has generated over $20K a month in sales within five months, attracting and retaining customers through social media, authentic stories, and content.
9. Start a stationery business ($339K/year)
Starting a stationery business in Hawaii offers a unique opportunity to tap into the state's vibrant culture and strong sense of community. With a focus on creativity and customization, you could design products that celebrate local themes, such as Hawaiian flora, fauna, and traditional motifs. This highly personal touch would make your offerings stand out and resonate with both locals and tourists looking for unique, high-quality stationery.
Furthermore, the flexibility of a home-based business allows you to keep costs low and explore various sales channels. You could begin by selling your products online through platforms like Etsy or eBay, and as your business grows, transition to a local storefront or partner with local shops. Check out these successful case studies to get inspiration and insights from other stationery entrepreneurs.
Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.
10. Start an etsy shop ($570K/year)
Starting an Etsy shop in Hawaii offers an excellent opportunity to leverage the state's rich culture and unique crafts. You could sell items inspired by Hawaii's unique natural beauty, traditional arts, or handcrafted goods, which are highly sought after by both locals and tourists alike.
Beyond just local sales, successful Etsy sellers have the potential to reach a global market right from their home base on the islands. This business idea allows you to create and sell your products without the overhead of a physical store, offering a flexible and scalable way to earn income and build your brand.
Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.
11. Start a skin care product line ($1.45M/year)
Starting a skin care product line in Hawaii could be a highly lucrative and rewarding venture. The state's unique natural resources, such as tropical fruits and volcanic ash, provide you with the opportunity to create distinctive, high-quality products that could attract a niche market both locally and internationally. Moreover, the health-conscious and eco-friendly lifestyle prevalent in Hawaii aligns perfectly with the growing demand for organic and natural skincare solutions.
Given the multi-billion dollar skincare industry, which was valued at 130 billion USD in 2021 and is projected to grow annually by 4.6% up to 2030, the potential for profit and growth is significant. You could leverage local ingredients to develop innovative anti-aging products, positioning your brand as unique and authentic. For more insights on launching a skincare line, check this detailed guide and these success stories from entrepreneurs who have thrived in this space.
Two moms start a side hustle selling all-natural body products, doubling sales since their launch in 2017 with over 75 craft shows, promoting a non-profit source for their shea butter and self-promotion through podcasts, lining up retail interest from exposure.
12. Start a supplements company ($4.94M/year)
Hawaii's vibrant culture and thriving tourism industry create a unique market opportunity for starting a supplements company. With a strong focus on health and wellness among both locals and tourists, you could tap into a diverse customer base eager for high-quality dietary supplements, vitamins, and protein powders to complement their active and healthy lifestyles.
Launching a supplement brand in Hawaii is particularly advantageous because you could leverage local ingredients and sustainable practices, appealing to eco-conscious consumers. Additionally, the lower startup costs and the ability to operate from home make this a feasible business idea. For more details, explore supplements company idea and check out some inspiring success stories.
A military officer turned entrepreneur built sports nutrition brand Bare Performance Nutrition from $15,000 in year one to on track to generate $6m in revenue this year, leveraging social media platforms and creating interactive, relatable and valuable content to create a community and a brand voice.
13. Start a women's clothing line ($958K/year)
Launching a women’s clothing line in Hawaii could be a lucrative and exciting venture, given the state’s vibrant tourism industry and unique cultural influences. With Hawaii’s distinct tropical fashion trends and constant influx of visitors seeking unique and fashionable clothing, you could tap into a diverse and ever-changing customer base.
Additionally, the digital age makes it easier than ever to start and maintain your own clothing brand, allowing you to benefit from e-commerce platforms and social media marketing. You can find more details on this business idea here and also check out some successful case studies to get inspired by other entrepreneurs who have thrived in this field.
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
14. Start a specialty food business ($597K/year)
Starting a specialty food business in Hawaii presents a plethora of opportunities, thanks to the state's diverse and multicultural population. You could tap into the local love for unique flavors and premium ingredients, offering everything from Hawaiian-inspired gourmet snacks to exotic, fusion dishes that cater to both locals and tourists alike.
With the global specialty food ingredients market expanding at an annual growth rate of 6.4%, you could ride this wave of growth by sourcing quality ingredients and offering products that stand out from the competition. To explore more about kicking off this venture, check out the detailed business idea guide and successful case studies on starterstory.com.
ChipMonk co-founders built a mail-order bakery selling low carb, gluten-free desserts, making around $25,000 a month with growth through e-commerce, and plans to tighten budgets and conserve cash in challenging times.
15. Start a beverages business ($21.5M/year)
Starting a beverage business in Hawaii presents a unique and exciting opportunity for entrepreneurial-minded individuals. Hawaii's vibrant tourism industry and warm climate make it an ideal location for a business centered around refreshing and enjoyable drinks. You could capitalize on the local market and the influx of tourists by offering beverages that reflect the island's tropical vibe, like exotic juices, craft sodas, and specialty coffees.
Additionally, starting a beverage business allows you to tap into the growing trend towards health-conscious and artisanal products. By sourcing local ingredients and highlighting Hawaiian flavors, you can stand out in a competitive market and appeal to both residents and visitors. For inspiration, you can check out some successful case studies of beverage businesses that have thrived in various locales.
BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
