Hawaii Minimum Wage Increases to $16.00

news-and-events

Published January 1st, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

Hawaii's minimum wage will increase to $16.00 per hour on January 1, 2026, as part of a phased increase to $18.00 by 2028. Act 115 also establishes a minimum civil penalty of $500 for violations of the Wage and Hour Law.

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What changed

The State of Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has announced that the statewide minimum wage will increase to $16.00 per hour effective January 1, 2026. This is the third step in a series of scheduled increases, with the rate set to reach $18.00 per hour by January 1, 2028. Additionally, Act 115, enacted by the 2025 Legislature, introduces a minimum civil penalty of $500 for employers found to be in violation of the Wage and Hour Law.

Employers in Hawaii must ensure their payroll systems are updated to reflect the new minimum wage rate of $16.00 per hour by January 1, 2026. Failure to comply with wage laws may result in civil penalties, with a minimum of $500 per violation established by Act 115. Compliance officers should review their current wage practices and ensure adherence to the updated minimum wage and penalty provisions.

What to do next

Update payroll systems to reflect the $16.00 minimum wage rate effective January 1, 2026.
Review Wage and Hour Law compliance to avoid civil penalties.

Penalties

Minimum civil penalty of $500 for violations of the Wage and Hour Law.

Source document (simplified)

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

KA ʻOIHANA PONO LIMAHANA

JADE T. BUTAY

DIRECTOR

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

HAWAIʻI’S MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES TO $16.00 ON JANUARY 1

Act 115 Establishes a Civil Penalty for Violations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 15, 2025

HONOLULU — Hawaiʻi’s statewide minimum wage rate will increase by $2.00 to $16.00 per hour effective January 1, 2026. This marks the third step in a series of scheduled increases, culminating in a final rate of $18.00 per hour on January 1, 2028. In addition, the 2025 Legislature enacted Act 115, establishing a minimum civil penalty of $500 for employers who violate the Wage and Hour Law.

“The Legislature’s phased approach to increasing the minimum wage is designed to support working families and foster economic stability in Hawaiʻi,” said Jade T. Butay, DLIR director. “These penalties serve as a deterrent and help ensure fairness for all employers who comply with wage laws.”

For more information about Hawaiʻi’s Wage and Hour Law, visit: https://labor.hawaii.gov/wsd/

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View DLIR news releases:

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Media Contact:

Bill Kunstman

Acting Public Information Officer, State of Hawai‘i

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

Phone: 808-586-8852

Email: [email protected]