How It Works

You deserve HR that
actually fits your business.

Finding the right HR partner shouldn't require weeks of research, a pile of sales calls, and a law degree to understand. Here's how we make it simple.

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Sound familiar?

Most Hawaii business owners feel this way about HR.

You didn't start your business to spend your Fridays buried in payroll questions and compliance paperwork. But here you are.

"I think I'm overpaying, but I don't know what a fair price even looks like."

Without a way to compare, you're just guessing. Most business owners have no idea what the market rate actually is for their size and industry.

"When I call, I get a different person every time and nobody knows my account."

Local support matters. When something goes wrong with payroll or a compliance question comes up, you need someone who actually picks up the phone.

"My rates went up again this year and I don't fully understand why."

Rate increases happen. But you should understand exactly what you're paying for and whether there's a better option available for your business.

"I wouldn't even know where to start comparing my options."

There are dozens of HR and payroll providers. Figuring out which ones are even worth talking to — let alone comparing them — takes time most owners don't have.

It's not that your current provider is necessarily wrong for you.
It's that you've never had someone help you find out if there's something better.

That's why we built Mauka HR.

One free call. We do everything else.

Mauka HR is Hawaii's only independent HR broker. We sit between you and the providers — shopping on your behalf, building the comparison, and helping you make one clear decision. No sales pressure. No jargon. Just a straight answer on whether you're in the right place or there's something better.

And because the provider pays our fee, not you, we have every reason to find you the best fit — and zero reason to push you toward anything that isn't right.

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We work for you, not the providersIndependent from every HR company in our network. Our only incentive is finding your best fit.
Zero cost to you — everThe HR company pays us a referral fee when we place you. You never pay us a thing.
Hawaii-specific expertiseWe know TDI, PHC, and local labor law. We only recommend providers who do too.
We stay involved after you switchYou get a local point of contact — not a 1-800 number — for as long as you need us.
The Process

Here's exactly what happens
when you work with us.

Five steps. You're only involved in two of them.

Your step

Step 1 — We have a free 20-minute call.

We start with a simple conversation. We want to understand your business — how many employees you have, what you're currently paying, what's been frustrating you, and what matters most to you in an HR partner.

No forms to fill out. No sales pitch. Just a real conversation so we know exactly what to go look for on your behalf.

This is the only step that requires your time. Everything after this, we handle.
We handle this

Step 2 — We go shopping for you.

Based on what we learned about your business, we reach out to every relevant HR company and payroll provider in our network. We request real quotes, gather plan details, and collect everything we need to build a meaningful comparison.

You don't take a single sales call. You don't sit through a single demo. We do all of it.

This typically takes about a week. We'll keep you posted if we need anything from you along the way.
We handle this

Step 3 — We build your comparison.

We take everything we collected and turn it into a clear, plain-English comparison — two or three real options, side by side. What each costs, what's included, what's different, and what we'd recommend based on your specific situation.

No pile of brochures. No confusing HR jargon. Just a straightforward breakdown designed to make your decision easy.

Your step

Step 4 — You make one decision.

We walk you through the comparison together. We answer every question, explain every tradeoff, and give you our honest recommendation. Then you decide — yes or no. That's it.

No pressure. No deadline. No obligation. If none of the options feel right, we tell you that too. Our job is to find you the best fit — not to close a deal.

If you're already in a good spot, we'll tell you that honestly. Knowing you're not overpaying has real value too.
We handle this

Step 5 — We handle the entire switch.

Once you say yes, we coordinate the implementation with your new provider. We manage the transition timeline, make sure nothing falls through the cracks, and stay involved until you're fully up and running.

Most transitions are complete within 30 days. You stay focused on running your business — we handle the logistics.

And after the switch? We stay available. If something comes up six months later, you call us — not a general support line.
Hawaii Is Different

A few things worth knowing about HR in Hawaii.

Hawaii has some of the most unique employment laws in the country. Before recommending any provider, we make sure they understand these requirements — not just on paper, but in practice.

This is one of the most important things a local broker can offer. A provider that doesn't know Hawaii's rules can create real compliance problems for your business.

Hawaii Law

Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)

Hawaii requires employers to provide TDI coverage for employees who can't work due to a non-work-related illness or injury. Most mainland providers aren't set up for this by default.

Hawaii Law

Prepaid Health Care (PHC)

Hawaii's Prepaid Health Care Act requires employers to provide health insurance to employees working 20+ hours per week — one of the most comprehensive mandates in the country.

Local Context

Higher Cost of Living

Benefits that look competitive on the mainland may fall short in Hawaii. We evaluate provider offerings in the context of what actually matters to Hawaii employees.

Local Context

Multi-Island Operations

If you operate across multiple islands, you need a provider that handles inter-island payroll and compliance cleanly. Not all of them do.

The Research

What happens when businesses find the right HR partner.

According to a study by economists Laurie Bassi and Dan McMurrer, businesses that partner with the right PEO see measurable results.

27%
average cost savings reported by businesses that switch to a better-fit HR partner
Source: NAPEO / Bassi & McMurrer
50%
less likely to go out of business compared to companies without a dedicated HR partner
Source: NAPEO / Bassi & McMurrer
7–9%
faster business growth reported by companies with a well-matched HR and payroll setup
Source: NAPEO / Bassi & McMurrer
"You knew success wouldn't come easy — but you probably weren't expecting that simply managing your HR and payroll would become a full-time job."
— The reality for most small business owners. Mauka HR exists to change that.

Ready to find out
where you actually stand? It's free.

One call. We do the research. You get a straight answer — no pressure, no obligation, no cost.

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We respond within one business day. Hawaii businesses only.