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Hawaii Labor Laws 2025

Hawaii has unique and comprehensive labor protections including the nation's only mandatory employer-provided health insurance requirement, no tip credit, minimum wage increasing to $18 by 2028, and mandatory temporary disability insurance.

Unique to Hawaii: Employers must provide health insurance to employees working 20+ hours per week and temporary disability insurance for non-work-related injuries. No tip credit is allowed.

Minimum Wage

Hawaii has a state minimum wage that exceeds federal law, with scheduled increases to reach $18 by 2028.

Key Requirements

  • State minimum wage: $14.00 per hour (as of January 1, 2024)
  • Increases to $16.00 on January 1, 2026
  • Increases to $18.00 on January 1, 2028
  • No tip credit allowed - tipped employees must receive full minimum wage before tips
  • Applies to all employers regardless of size

Additional Resources

Overtime

Hawaii follows federal overtime requirements with some additional provisions.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek
  • No daily overtime requirement (calculated weekly)
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)
  • Special overtime provisions for certain industries (healthcare, agriculture)
  • Weekly overtime calculation standard for most employees

Additional Resources

Meal and Rest Breaks

Hawaii does not require meal or rest breaks for most adult employees.

Key Requirements

  • No state law requiring meal breaks for adult employees
  • No state law requiring rest breaks for adult employees
  • Minors under 18: Break requirements may apply under federal law
  • If breaks are voluntarily provided, federal rules apply
  • Short breaks (5-20 minutes) must be paid if provided
  • Nursing mothers have right to express milk (federal requirement)

Additional Resources

Prepaid Health Care

Hawaii is the only state that requires employers to provide health insurance to employees working 20+ hours per week.

Key Requirements

  • Employers must provide health insurance to employees working 20+ hours per week
  • Coverage must begin after 4 consecutive weeks of employment
  • Employer must pay at least 50% of premium costs
  • One of the most unique employment requirements in the nation
  • Administered by Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Council

Additional Resources

Temporary Disability Insurance

Hawaii requires employers to provide temporary disability insurance for non-work-related injuries and illnesses.

Key Requirements

  • Employers must provide temporary disability insurance (TDI)
  • Covers non-work-related sickness or injury
  • Benefits typically 58% of average weekly wage
  • Maximum benefit duration: 26 weeks
  • Can be provided through state fund or approved private plan

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Hawaii has restrictions on youth employment to protect minors.

Key Requirements

  • Minors under 14: Generally prohibited from employment except family businesses, entertainment
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to 3 hours per school day, 18 hours per week during school
  • Ages 14-15: 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school not in session
  • Ages 16-17: No hour restrictions, but hazardous occupation restrictions apply
  • Work permits may be required depending on type of work

Additional Resources

Hawaii's Minimum Wage Schedule

Hawaii is gradually increasing its minimum wage to $18 per hour:

Effective DateMinimum Wage
January 1, 2024$14.00/hour
January 1, 2026$16.00/hour
January 1, 2028$18.00/hour

Prepaid Health Care Act - Unique to Hawaii

Hawaii's Prepaid Health Care Act is the only state law of its kind in the nation:

Requirements

  • Applies to employees working 20+ hours per week
  • Coverage begins after 4 consecutive weeks of employment at 20+ hours/week
  • Employer must pay at least 50% of premium cost
  • Employee contribution cannot exceed 1.5% of monthly wages
  • Must meet minimum coverage requirements set by law

No Tip Credit Allowed

Unlike most states, Hawaii does not allow employers to take a tip credit:

  • All employees, including tipped workers, must receive the full minimum wage
  • Tips are in addition to the minimum wage, not part of it
  • Significantly increases labor costs for hospitality businesses

Navigate Hawaii's Unique Labor Requirements

Rightwork helps you track Hawaii's 20-hour threshold for health care requirements, ensures compliance with increasing minimum wages, and manages all scheduling obligations.

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