Hawaii credit unions are financial institutions that provide banking services to its membership. HI federal credit unions members control the credit union and must meet a defined set of membership requirements such as living in certain areas or belonging to a non-profit group.

Federal credit unions in Hawaii also may serve specific employee groups, known as Select Employee Groups, such as teachers or employees of a specific company. These credit unions may be able to switch to a community charter, which allows them to serve anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school within a defined area.

The primary difference between a bank and Hawaii credit unions is that credit unions are tax exempt. There are three basic reasons why this is so:

1. A credit union in Hawaii must be a non-profit, financial cooperative that its members own.

2. Members must elect a board of directors for a federal credit union, and the board must serve as unpaid volunteers.

3. An HI federal credit union provides service to members of modest means as part of its social mission. A Hawaii credit union field of membership must place restrictions on the products and services it provides.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate specific military credit unions in Hawaii by name

You can easily locate Hawaii military credit unions because of the large number of military members in this state. Hawaii military credit unions can usually be recognized by name, although the requirements for membership are frequently broader than this.

I recommend: The National Credit Union Administration can locate military credit unions in Hawaii by selecting Hawaii as the state and Military as the type of membership. The Navy Federal Credit Union is open to members of the United States Navy and has locations throughout the world, including Hawaii.

Find Hawaii credit unions by location

Resources are available to locate all of the credit unions based in your area, which you may wish to do because residency is a common membership requirement for many credit unions.

I recommend: CU Village.com allows you to find credit unions within your zip code. If you don't find any, this locator will list the credit unions that are closest to you. Credit Union Access provides, by city, all of its registered Hawaii federal credit unions.

Join a Hawaii federal credit union for which you are eligible

Examine the Hawaii credit union field of membership of a particular federally chartered credit union and the services that it provides to know if you are eligible to join and if it will provide the services you need.

I recommend: Hawaii State Federal Credit Union limits membership to its own employees and those of the state of Hawaii. Hawaii Federal Credit Union is available to individuals who live, work, worship or attend school in Moanalua, Aliamanu, Kalihi-Palama, Kalihi Valley, Iwilei, Sand Island, Mapunapuna, Alewa Heights, Liliha and Nuuanu.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Natural-person credit unions serve individuals and form the majority of Hawaii credit unions. Corporate credit unions serve natural-person credit unions by providing them with operational support, products and other services. Corporate credit unions also act as a funds clearing house for natural-person credit unions.