Beginning January 1, 2026, Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage will rise to $16.00 per hour, part of a plan to reach $18.00 by 2028. The increase reflects legislated efforts to provide economic relief in a state with a high cost of living.
The phased wage increase reflects Hawaiʻi’s commitment to supporting its working-class residents and addressing the state’s economic challenges. Employers are also subject to a new civil penalty: failure to comply with the Wage and Hour Law could result in a minimum $500 fine.
Jade T. Butay, Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), said, "The Legislature’s phased approach to increasing the minimum wage is designed to support working families and foster economic stability in Hawaiʻi," according to a Governor’s office news release.
More information on the Wage and Hour Law and the upcoming minimum wage changes is available on the DLIR website.
