Hawaii HR laws for employers (2026)
The Hawaii rules employers ask about most: minimum wage, overtime, final pay, unused vacation, paid sick leave and breaks.
Hawaii employment law at a glance
| Minimum wage | $16.00 per hour |
|---|---|
| Tipped cash wage | $14.75 per hour |
| Overtime | No daily overtime. Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek. Employees guaranteed $4,000+ a month are exempt from the state wage and overtime law. |
| Final pay when fired | At the time of discharge, or by the next working day if immediate payment is impossible. |
| Final pay when an employee quits | Next regular payday. If the employee gave at least one pay period's notice, pay is due on the last day. |
| Unused vacation / PTO at separation | Not required by law. Accrued vacation must be included in final pay only if the employer's policy makes it due and payable. Verify |
| Paid sick leave | No statewide mandate. Employers that offer sick leave must disclose the policy, and employers with 100+ employees must let employees use up to 10 days of it a year for family leave. Verify |
| Meal breaks | No state requirement for adult employees (minors only). |
| Rest breaks | No state requirement. |
Minimum wage note: Rose from $14.00 to $16.00 on Jan 1, 2026. No change for 2027. The final scheduled step is $18.00 on Jan 1, 2028. No local minimum wages.
Verify means we could not confirm that item from an official Hawaii or US Department of Labor source, so check it with the state before relying on it.
Other Hawaii rules to know
- Pay transparency: employers with 50+ employees must include an hourly rate or salary range in job listings (since Jan 1, 2024). Salary history questions have been banned since 2019.
- Employers must provide Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and, under the Prepaid Health Care Act, health insurance for eligible employees.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Hawaii in 2026?
$16.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. Rose from $14.00 to $16.00 on Jan 1, 2026. No change for 2027. The final scheduled step is $18.00 on Jan 1, 2028. No local minimum wages.
When is a final paycheck due in Hawaii?
If the employer ends employment: At the time of discharge, or by the next working day if immediate payment is impossible. If the employee quits: Next regular payday. If the employee gave at least one pay period's notice, pay is due on the last day.
Does Hawaii require paying out unused vacation?
Not required by law. Accrued vacation must be included in final pay only if the employer's policy makes it due and payable.
Is paid sick leave required in Hawaii?
No statewide mandate. Employers that offer sick leave must disclose the policy, and employers with 100+ employees must let employees use up to 10 days of it a year for family leave.
Sources
- US DOL - State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026)
- US DOL - Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026)
- Hawaii Governor - News release: Minimum wage increases to $16.00 on January 1
- HRS 388-3 (final pay)
- Hawaii DLIR Wage Standards Division - Payment of wages
- Hawaii Civil Rights Commission - Act 203 Pay Transparency FAQs
- US DOL - State Meal Break Requirements
- Ezel - Hawaii paid sick leave requirements (secondary)
HR laws in other states
This page is general information for employers, not legal advice. Employment laws change and can vary by city and county. Confirm details with the state labor department or an employment attorney. Read our disclaimer.