What are the rules for determining if a proposed business name is substantially identical to an already registered name?

Each applicant has the responsibility to research the availability of a proposed name so that it does not infringe upon an existing registered name. The Department’s registry of existing names provides notice to and is open to inspection by the public. For the regulations governing registration of Trade Names, Trademarks, Service Marks, and Business Entity Names, see Section 16-36-15 , Hawaii Administrative Rules.