The Hawaii Labor Law Guide

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate an employer can legally pay. The federal rate is the baseline, and Hawaii sets a significantly higher state rate. Hawaii's current minimum wage is $16.00 per hour.

Hawaii sets the minimum wage at the state level, so the rate is the same across all cities and counties, including Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai.

The tipped minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate an employer must pay workers who earn a significant portion of their income through tips. Hawaii allows a lower cash wage for employees who customarily and regularly receive tips, but only if strict income thresholds are met.

Cash wage rate

The cash wage is $14.75 per hour, effective January 1, 2026.

Tip credit limit (the $7.00 Rule)

Employers may take a maximum tip credit of $1.25 per hour, and only if the employee's average hourly compensation, including cash wages and tips, equals at least $7.00 more than the applicable minimum wage.

Required earnings threshold

The $16.00 Hawaii minimum wage plus $7.00 equals $23.00 per hour on average.

Compliance requirement

If an employee's combined cash wages and tips do not average at least $23.00 per hour over the workweek or pay period, the employer may not apply the tip credit and must pay the full $16.00 minimum wage for all hours worked.

Hawaii overtime law largely follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), with specific state provisions for public works.

• Standard rule: employers must pay overtime (1.5 times the regular rate) for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
• Daily overtime: hours worked over 8 in a day are generally not overtime, except when work is performed on a State or county public works construction project.

Employers must provide a meal period of at least 30 minutes to minors aged 14 or 15 who work more than 5 consecutive hours.

For employees 16 years of age or older, Hawaii law does not require employers to provide meal periods or rest breaks.

If an employer chooses to offer breaks:

• Rest breaks: breaks of roughly 20 minutes or less must be paid and counted as work time.
• Meal periods: bona fide meal periods (typically 30 minutes or more) need not be paid, provided the employee is completely relieved of all duties.

Vacation leave

Hawaii law does not require private employers to provide paid or unpaid vacation leave. If an employer offers it, the terms of accrual, usage, and payout are governed by the employer's written policy or employment agreement.

Sick leave

Hawaii law does not require private employers to provide paid sick leave. If an employer chooses to provide it, the Hawaii Family Leave Law (HFLL) requires the employer to allow employees to use up to 10 days of accrued and available paid sick leave per year for family leave purposes, such as caring for a child, spouse, or parent with a serious health condition.

Family leave (state mandate)

The state family leave mandate applies to employers with 100 or more employees. Eligible employees, meaning those who have worked at least six consecutive months, are entitled to up to four weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per calendar year for:

• The birth or adoption of a child, or
• Caring for a family member with a serious health condition.

HFLL leave runs concurrently with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) where both apply.

Holidays

Hawaii law does not require private employers to provide paid or unpaid holiday leave or to close on holidays. Employers are not required to pay a premium rate (such as time-and-a-half) for holiday work unless required by a company policy or collective bargaining agreement.

Certificates by age

• Ages 14-15: must obtain a Certificate of Employment (CL-1) before starting work. A new certificate is required for each employer.
• Ages 16-17: must obtain a Certificate of Age (eCL-3), valid for any employer until the minor turns 18. Employers must verify the minor's identity and date of birth using acceptable proof of age and retain the certificate number in their records.

Hours and restrictions for ages 14-15

• When school is in session: max 3 hours per day on school days and 18 hours per week.
• When school is not in session: max 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.
• Permitted work hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on school days or days followed by a school day; 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on non-school days or days not followed by school (for example, Saturdays and holidays).
• Must receive a 30-minute unpaid break after 5 consecutive work hours.
• May not work more than 6 consecutive days.

Ages 16-17

With a valid Certificate of Age, minors may work without daily or weekly hour limits, provided they do not work during hours when they are legally required to attend school.

Acceptable proof of age

• Birth certificate
• Hawaii driver's license or instruction permit
• State of Hawaii ID
• Military ID
• Passport or immigration document (for example, an Alien Registration Card)
• Court, hospital, baptismal, or official school record

School ID cards are not accepted.