How would I go about starting a sea kayak rental business in Hawaii?

Question

I want to start a sea kayak rental business in Hawaii where I rent about 4 or 5 kayaks off the beach for $20 an hour. Does anyone know if I could just pull up my kayaks onto any public beach and start renting them? I know about 30 years ago I probably could have done this with no problem, but in todays world of excessive government rules and regulations that stifle business growth and development I'm sure there are a bunch of hoops I would have to jump through to realize this dream. If anyone could provide good information regarding starting a business such as this in Hawaii it would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Usually all you need is a city business license and permit.  They range from $40 to 150 depending on the city.  After that you report your earnings like everyone else to the irs aka mafia and your good to go.

Answer 2

First create a basic business plan. Example: at $20.00/hr how many rentals do I expect to have in one year. What will the kayaks cost me to buy and to maintain during the year. What are my other costs; permits, advertising, liability insurance (a top priority), etc. How much competition is there in my area.

Work the numbers and see if you can make a profit...if not, why bother. Don't forget to consider seasonl fluctuations.