What Hawaii law adds on top of federal law for nurses and EMS, and who to call.
Every rule here was read on the statute, regulation or agency page it cites. Checked November 10, 2026.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change and your facts decide how they apply. Before you act, confirm with the agency listed here or with an employment lawyer or your union representative.
Who to call in Hawaii
Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Wage Standards DivisionUnpaid wages and state labor complaints. Start a complaint
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour DivisionUnpaid wages and overtime, PUMP Act, FMLA. Contact · 1-866-487-9243
OSHAPrivate-employer safety complaints, and retaliation for raising safety (30 days under the OSH Act). Public employees: see Unions and public employers. Contact
Fired, with or without cause: you must be paid in full at the time of discharge, or by the next working day if immediate payment isn't possible.
Who it covers: Employees of private employers in Hawaii.
Limits and exceptions to know (the law may have others; read the source):
Doesn't cover you if the State, a county or the federal government employs you, including HHSC hospitals and other state facilities. (HRS § 388-1)
Temporarily laid off, or out because of a labor dispute: you are paid by the next regular payday. (HRS § 388-3(c))
Unused vacation isn't owed under this law; the Hawaii Supreme Court held that vacation payout at separation is not "wages" here. Check your employer's policy or contract. (HRS § 388-3, case note (108 H. 411 (2005)))
"Whenever an employer discharges an employee either with or without cause, the employer shall pay the employee's wages in full at the time of discharge or if the discharge occurs at a time and under conditions which prevent an employer from making immediate payment, then not later than the working day following discharge."
Quit: you are paid in full by the next regular payday, or at the time you leave if you gave at least one pay period's notice.
Who it covers: Employees of private employers in Hawaii.
Limits and exceptions to know (the law may have others; read the source):
Doesn't cover you if the State, a county or the federal government employs you, including HHSC hospitals and other state facilities. (HRS § 388-1)
Unused vacation isn't owed under this law; the Hawaii Supreme Court held that vacation payout at separation is not "wages" here. Check your employer's policy or contract. (HRS § 388-3, case note (108 H. 411 (2005)))
"Whenever an employee quits or resigns, the employer shall pay the employee's wages in full no later than the next regular payday"
For Hawaii we have not yet confirmed state rules on mandatory overtime, staffing ratios, plans and committees, meal and rest breaks. That does not mean Hawaii has no rule on them: we leave a topic off until we have read it at the source, and only federal rules are shown for it here.