Hawaii Promissory Note

A secured or unsecured loan note with installment or lump-sum repayment, interest within your state's legal limit, late fees and default terms.

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Hawaii rules that this document follows

Maximum interest (private loans)12% per year — 12% per year max on consumer credit transactions by written contract; non-consumer (business) loans are not subject to the cap; 10% absent agreementSource: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 478-2; § 478-4
Legal rate when none is stated10%Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 478-2
Late feesNo statutory cap on late fees for private (non-consumer-lender) loans; fee must be a reasonable liquidated-damages estimate and, together with interest, must not push the effective rate above the usury ceiling
Time to sue on a written note6 yearsSource: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1(1)
Notarization / witnessesNot required (optional for evidentiary value)

Rules current as of 2026-09-07. Statutes change; verify before relying on them.

How to use this Promissory Note in Hawaii

Keep the interest rate at or below the Hawaii ceiling shown above; a usurious note can cost the lender all interest and more. For loans between family members, the IRS applicable federal rate (AFR) is the minimum to avoid imputed-gift issues on loans above $10,000.

Sign one original; the lender keeps it and the borrower keeps a copy. When the note is paid, the lender should mark it 'PAID IN FULL' and return it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum interest rate I can charge in Hawaii?

12% per year for a private written loan (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 478-2; § 478-4). 12% per year max on consumer credit transactions by written contract; non-consumer (business) loans are not subject to the cap; 10% absent agreement

Does a promissory note need a notary or witnesses?

No. A note signed by the borrower is enforceable in Hawaii. Notarizing is optional; for a secured loan, file a UCC-1 or note the lien on the vehicle title to protect the lender.

How long can the lender sue on an unpaid note?

6 years from default (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1(1)).

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Other states

FormsByState provides self-help document templates and general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For advice about your situation consult a licensed attorney in your state.