76.1% of HI total
Avg: $109,121 per loan
$147M outstanding
95.3% forgiveness rate
PPP Program Overview: Honolulu, HI
Between April 2020 and May 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration disbursed approximately 32,096 Paycheck Protection Program loans in the Honolulu metropolitan area, totaling $3.5B. These loans supported approximately 289K jobs in the local economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of these loans, 30,587 (95.3%) were fully forgiven. However, 1,509 loans totaling $147M remain unforgiven and are potentially subject to SBA collection, Treasury offset, or DOJ enforcement action.
Honolulu is part of Hawaii, which has a Standard enforcement risk classification. The DOJ PPP Strike Force operates nationally, with particular focus on major metropolitan areas where loan volumes and dollar amounts are highest.
Enforcement Risk in Honolulu
Honolulu has standard-level PPP enforcement activity. While enforcement is less concentrated here than in larger metros, the DOJ PPP Strike Force operates nationally. Any borrower with an unforgiven loan or application discrepancies remains at risk regardless of location.
The False Claims Act statute of limitations extends through 2030-2031 for PPP loans. This means new enforcement actions can still be initiated against Honolulu borrowers for several more years.
Honolulu vs. Hawaii Average
Frequently Asked Questions: PPP in Honolulu
How many PPP loans were issued in Honolulu, HI?
Honolulu, Hawaii received approximately 32,096 PPP loans totaling $3.5B between April 2020 and May 2021. The average loan size was $109,121, supporting approximately 289K jobs in the Honolulu metro area.
How many PPP loans in Honolulu were not forgiven?
Approximately 1,509 PPP loans in the Honolulu metro area (4.7% of total) were not forgiven, representing $147M in outstanding obligations. These borrowers may face Treasury collection actions or SBA enforcement.
What is the PPP enforcement risk in Honolulu?
Honolulu is in a "Standard" enforcement risk area. The DOJ PPP Strike Force and SBA OIG maintain active investigations in major metro areas. Borrowers in Honolulu with unforgiven loans or application discrepancies should be aware of ongoing enforcement activity through 2030-2031.
Can I still face a PPP audit in Honolulu in 2026?
Yes. The False Claims Act has a 6-10 year statute of limitations. Since PPP loans were issued in 2020-2021, enforcement actions can continue through 2030-2031. Honolulu borrowers remain at risk regardless of whether their loan was forgiven.
Are You at Risk?
1,509 Honolulu area borrowers have unforgiven PPP loans. Find out your specific risk level in under 3 minutes.
Data Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration PPP Data Reports, PandemicOversight.gov, U.S. Treasury Department. Metro-area estimates derived from state-level data with population-weighted distribution. Last updated May 2026.