Hawaii Labor Laws: A Complete Guide to Wages, Breaks, Overtime, and More (2025)

Hawaii’s Family Leave Law (HFLL) provides eligible employees up to four weeks of unpaid leave annually for childbirth, adoption, or caring for a family member with a serious health condition.

This applies to private employers with 100 or more employees, and employees must have worked for at least six consecutive months.

Additionally, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) offers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for qualifying employees, which can also be used for personal medical reasons or to care for a family member.

Hawaii does not mandate paid sick leave. Employers are not required by law to offer sick leave unless they choose to, in which case they must follow their own established policies.

Many employers, however, voluntarily provide paid sick leave as part of their benefits packages, allowing employees to accrue leave based on hours worked.

There is no legal requirement in Hawaii for employers to provide paid vacation days. Vacation policies are left to the discretion of employers, who typically establish guidelines in employee handbooks or contracts.

Hawaii does not legally require employers to provide bereavement leave. Employers offering this benefit must comply with their own policies, though many choose to include it as part of their leave offerings.

There is no requirement for private employers in Hawaii to provide paid holiday leave. Public sector employees receive time off on state-recognized holidays, but private employers can set their own policies regarding holiday pay and time off.

Hawaii law mandates that employers allow employees time off for jury duty without penalty. Employers cannot terminate or discriminate against employees for fulfilling this civic duty and must accommodate them reasonably.

Employers in Hawaii are required to provide up to two hours of paid leave for employees needing time off to vote if polls are not open for at least two hours before or after their shifts. Employees must request time off in advance and may be asked to provide proof of voting.

Hawaii law protects employees who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, allowing them to take leave to seek medical attention, obtain services from a victim services organization, or seek legal assistance.

In specific situations, employees in Hawaii are entitled to emergency response leave. For example, state employees may receive up to 30 days of disaster leave when responding to emergencies declared by the governor or federal authorities.

Hawaii requires employers to provide up to seven days of paid leave for bone marrow donation and up to 30 days for organ donation, ensuring employees can meet these health-related obligations without financial consequences.

Hawaii does not have a state law mandating leave for school-related activities. Employers may choose to offer leave for such activities based on their internal policies.

Hawaii law ensures that employees who serve in the military can take leave without losing pay or benefits during their service, in alignment with federal laws protecting service members’ employment rights upon their return.

Hawaii’s minimum wage is primarily established at the state level, but local jurisdictions can propose higher rates through legislation, reflecting regional economic conditions. In 2025, the highest local minimum wages are:

• County of Honolulu: $14.00 (effective January 1, 2024)
• County of Maui: $14.00 (effective January 1, 2024)
• Hawaii County: $14.00 (effective January 1, 2024)
• Kauai County: $14.00 (effective January 1, 2024)

For a complete list of local minimum wage rates and updates, refer to the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) website or local county labor offices.

The minimum wage in Hawaii will continue to increase annually, reaching $16.00 per hour by January 1, 2026.

Hawaii repealed its disability subminimum wage, requiring that all workers, including those with disabilities, be paid at least the state minimum wage.

1. Exempt Employee Categories

• Employees in agriculture
• Domestic service workers
• Certain executive and administrative roles
• Computer systems analysts and software engineers

1. Exceptions
   Employees earning at least $4,000 per month are exempt from minimum wage laws. Seasonal youth camp staff sponsored by nonprofit organizations are also exempt. 
2. Additional Exemptions
   Employees engaged in fishing, fish processing, propagation, harvesting, and cultivating may be exempt depending on specific conditions outlined in state regulations.

The minimum wage in Hawaii will continue to rise annually, reaching $18.00 per hour by January 1, 2028. Local jurisdictions may set higher rates, but the state minimum wage serves as the baseline. Employers should refer to the DLIR and local labor offices for the most current information on minimum wage requirements in Hawaii.

Hawaii is an “at-will” state. This means that employers have the discretion to terminate employees without providing a specific reason.

Exceptions:

• An employer cannot terminate an employee at will if a contractual agreement mandates notification of the reason for termination.
• Employees covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) as part of a union cannot be fired at will and should seek guidance from their union representatives in such cases.

As of January 1, 2024, Hawaii employers with more than 50 employees must disclose salary ranges and hourly rates in job listings, reflecting the actual expected compensation.

Hawaii’s pay transparency law enforces equal pay for substantially similar work and prohibits wage discrimination based on protected categories.

Hawaii law prevents employment discrimination based on arrest and court records. Employers can only consider an applicant’s criminal conviction record after making a conditional offer of employment. They cannot inquire about arrests or convictions prior to that offer.
Substance abuse testing in Hawaii is regulated, and employers must follow specific procedures when conducting tests, with penalties for violations.

Hawaii is taking proactive steps to enhance equal employment opportunity through pay transparency laws, pregnancy discrimination protections, workforce development initiatives, and comprehensive EEO plans at the state and county levels.