Selling a Business in Kahului

Owners in the Kahului area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,001 employer businesses, and 88% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Kahului by the numbers

5,001

5,001

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

88%

88%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

18,200

18,200

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

62,686

62,686

EMPLOYMENT

$3.3 billion

$3.3 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,872

1,872

BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES

U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.

How Kahului compares

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Real estate and rental makes up 7% of employer businesses in Kahului, compared with 6% in Hawaii.

  • 1,872 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Real estate and rental makes up 7% of employer businesses in Kahului, compared with 6% in Hawaii.

  • 1,872 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 761 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 588 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 535 employer businesses

  • Construction: 505 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 482 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 761 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 588 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 535 employer businesses

  • Construction: 505 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 482 employer businesses

What buyers look for

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Every kind of business we sell in Kahului

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Kahului. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

553 related employer businesses in Kahului.

  • General Contracting: 164 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Retail Stores

448 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Restaurants & Food

441 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Financial & Professional Services

294 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Medical Practices

257 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Hospitality & Travel

135 related employer businesses in Kahului.

  • Hotels: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Home Services

130 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Technology & Media

122 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Automotive & Boat

107 related employer businesses in Kahului.

  • Auto Repair: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

104 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Beauty & Personal Care

94 related employer businesses in Kahului.

  • Hair Salons: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

75 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Logistics & Transportation

63 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Entertainment & Recreation

62 related employer businesses in Kahului.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

59 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Health & Fitness

46 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Education & Childcare

43 related employer businesses in Kahului.

  • Daycare Centers: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

38 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Energy & Utilities

34 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Pet Services

11 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Senior Care & Living

9 related employer businesses in Kahului.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Kahului. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

553 related employer businesses in Kahului.

  • General Contracting: 164 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 57 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Retail Stores

448 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Restaurants & Food

441 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Financial & Professional Services

294 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Medical Practices

257 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Hospitality & Travel

135 related employer businesses in Kahului.

  • Hotels: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Home Services

130 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Technology & Media

122 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Automotive & Boat

107 related employer businesses in Kahului.

  • Auto Repair: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

104 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Beauty & Personal Care

94 related employer businesses in Kahului.

  • Hair Salons: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

75 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Logistics & Transportation

63 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Entertainment & Recreation

62 related employer businesses in Kahului.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

59 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Health & Fitness

46 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Education & Childcare

43 related employer businesses in Kahului.

  • Daycare Centers: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

38 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Energy & Utilities

34 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Pet Services

11 related employer businesses in Kahului.

Senior Care & Living

9 related employer businesses in Kahului.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Kahului

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Kahului. Contact us to talk about a sale.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Kahului ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Kahului?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers. Many sales take six months or longer from the start of the process to closing.

How is a business valued in Kahului?

Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.

Is the sale confidential?

Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.

FROM OUR BLOG

Guides for owners in Kahului

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article