" ... in Hawaii the biggest champion of early learning, Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, is now on leave confirming that she is the target of an unrelated criminal investigation ..." -- CNBC
Hawaii is America’s Worst State for Business in 2026
Hawaii finishes dead last in CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business rankings in 2026. CNBC’s Scott Cohn has the details.
Hawaii Score and Ranking
| CATEGORY |
2026 SCORE |
2026 RANK |
2025 RANK |
2026 GRADE |
| INFRASTRUCTURE |
102 |
50 |
48 |
F |
| ECONOMY |
214 |
24 |
39 |
C |
| WORKFORCE |
148 |
43 |
29 |
F |
| QUALITY OF LIFE |
191 |
6 |
6 |
B+ |
| COST OF DOING BUSINESS |
35 |
50 |
50 |
F |
| TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION |
62 |
49 |
48 |
F |
| BUSINESS FRIENDLINESS |
71 |
45 |
44 |
D- |
| ACCESS TO CAPITAL |
25 |
44 |
48 |
F |
| EDUCATION |
45 |
34 |
42 |
C- |
| COST OF LIVING |
14 |
47 |
49 |
D |
| OVERALL |
907 |
50 |
49 |
|
Economic Profile
Governor: Josh Green, Democrat
Population: 1,432,820
GDP growth (Q1 2026): 2.40%
Unemployment rate (May 2026): 2.50%
Top corporate tax rate: 6.40%
Top individual income tax rate: 11.00%
Gasoline tax: 36.9 cents/gallon
Bond rating (Moody’s/S&P): Aa2, Stable/AA+, Stable
Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute (including 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody’s Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence
* * * * *
CNBC: Best states to live in 2026:
Hawaii spent many years at or near the top of this list, with low crime, a pristine environment, and welcoming state laws. Then, in 2022, we began factoring in the cost and availability of childcare. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation calls it “more than a family issue — it’s an economic imperative.” The state has been trying since 2023 to address the need with its “Ready Keiki” program (Keiki means child in Hawaiian). In October, the state celebrated the opening of the 100th pre-school classroom under the program, in Kailua. But the need is still enormous — and so is the cost, the highest in the nation at 18% of median income, according to Child Care Aware.
2026 Quality of Life score: 191 out of 290 points (Top States grade: B+)
Strengths: Crime, Air Quality, Inclusiveness
Weaknesses: Childcare, Health
KITV: Hawaii finishes in last in CNBC yearly ranking in top states for business rankings in 2026 | News | kitv.com
HNN: Hawaii listed as worst state to do business by CNBC