Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 480F — Check Cashing

Division 2. Business — Title 26. Trade Regulation and Practice

Hawaii Revised Statutes as published by the Hawaii State Legislature (files updated 1/5/2026 7:15 PM).

Division 2 Business

Title 26 Trade Regulation and Practice

Chapter 480F Check Cashing

§480F-1 Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

"Check" means any check, draft, money order, or other instrument for the transmission or payment of money. "Check" does not include a traveler's check or foreign denomination or foreign drawn payment instrument.

"Check casher" means a person or entity that engages in the business of cashing checks for a fee.

"Fee" includes any payment of cash or other consideration paid or given by a customer to a check casher in exchange for the cashing of a check, including an exchange of value for the purchase of catalog items, which is in excess of regular retail value, or for coupons, which may be redeemed for goods or services.

[L 1999, c 146, pt of §1; am L 2001, c 20, §1; am L 2021, c 56, §7]

§480F-2 Posting and notice of fees charged

Any person who cashes one or more checks for a fee shall:

(1) Post in a conspicuous place in every location at which the person does business a notice that sets forth:

(A) The fees charged for cashing a check, for selling or issuing a money order, and for the initial issuance of any membership or identification cards; and

(B) That consumer complaints about the check cashing business may be filed with the department of commerce and consumer affairs, and includes and identifies the telephone number of the consumer information service of the department of commerce and consumer affairs;

(2) Provide written notice to each customer of the fees charged for cashing checks that is separate from and in addition to any posted notice;

(3) Obtain a written acknowledgment from the customer that written notice of the fees charged for cashing checks was provided; and

(4) Provide each customer a receipt documenting any and all fees charged.

[L 1999, c 146, pt of §1; am L 2001, c 20, §1]

§480F-3 Authorized fees

No check casher shall charge fees in excess of the following amounts:

(1) Five per cent of the face amount of the check or $5, whichever is greater;

(2) Three per cent of the face amount of the check or $5, whichever is greater, if the check is the payment of any kind of state public assistance or federal social security benefit payable to the bearer of the check;

(3) Ten per cent of the face amount of a personal check or money order, or $5, whichever is greater; or

(4) No more than $10 to set up an initial account and issue an optional membership or identification card, and no more than $5 for a replacement optional identification card.

[L 1999, c 146, pt of §1; am L 2001, c 20, §1; am L 2021, c 56, §8]

§480F-4 Repealed

[Repealed]

[L 2021, c 56, §10]

§480F-5 Exemptions

This chapter shall not apply to:

(1) Any person who is principally engaged in the bona fide retail sale of goods or services, and who, either as incident to or independent of the retail sale or service, from time to time cashes items for a fee or other consideration, where not more than $2, or two per cent of the amount of the check, whichever is greater, is charged for the service; or

(2) Any person authorized to engage in business as a bank, trust company, savings bank, savings and loan association, financial services loan company, or credit union under the laws of the United States, any state or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

[L 1999, c 146, pt of §1; am L 2001, c 20, §1]

§480F-6 Penalties

(a) Any person who violates this chapter shall be deemed to have engaged in an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of any trade or commerce within the meaning of section 480-2(a). Aggrieved consumers may seek those remedies set forth in section 480-13(b).

(b) Any person who is not a consumer and is injured by a wilful violation of this chapter may bring an action for the recovery of damages, a proceeding to restrain and enjoin those violations, or both. If judgment is for the plaintiff, the plaintiff shall be awarded a sum not less than $1,000 or threefold damages, whichever sum is greater, and reasonable attorneys' fees together with the costs of suit.

(c) A wilful violation of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine of up to $500 and up to thirty days imprisonment.

[L 1999, c 146, pt of §1; am L 2001, c 20, §1; am L 2008, c 19, §11; am L 2021, c 56, §9]

§480F-7 Other relief available

The penalties provided in this chapter are in addition to penalties and remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other state or federal statutes or rules.

[L 1999, c 146, pt of §1; am L 2001, c 20, §1]