Hawaii uses common law of ownership when it comes to trade names. As long as you use the name openly in the marketplace you have ownership, they don't have to be registered. They only have to be registered with the state if you want to open accounts and/or accept checks, etc. under that name. It also saves a lot of headache in the event someone else wants to use your trade name. Here in Hawaii, it gets kind of complicated with Hawaiian words and 'okinas and such (Kala'eloa vs. Kalaeloa, etc.).
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