Honolulu 4.712% · rest of Hawaii 4.166% · Hawaii uses GET not sales tax
Hawaii does not have a traditional sales tax. Instead, Hawaii uses a General Excise Tax (GET) levied on businesses, which is typically passed on to consumers. The state GET rate is 4% (4.5% for financial institutions). Honolulu County adds 0.5% for 4.5% total. After accounting for how GET applies to itself (pyramiding), the effective consumer rate in Honolulu is approximately 4.712%.
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Hawaii uses a General Excise Tax (GET) instead of a sales tax. The GET applies to virtually all business activities including sales of goods and services. Unlike a sales tax, GET is technically levied on the seller but is typically passed to consumers. The effective rate in Honolulu is approximately 4.712% after accounting for how GET applies to itself.
Hawaii does not have a traditional sales tax. Hawaii uses a General Excise Tax (GET) on businesses at 4%. With Honolulu County's 0.5% surcharge and GET pyramiding, the effective consumer rate in Honolulu is approximately 4.712%.
Hawaii GET applies broadly including to groceries, unlike most states. This is one reason Hawaii has a higher cost of living.