Minimum-wage increase coming Oct. 1
Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage will rise to $12 per hour on Oct. 1, and then will go up by $2 every other year until it reaches $18 per hour on Jan. 1, 2028.
Reflections on Hawaiʻi’s ‘historic’ legislative session shine bright
It’s only 60 days long, but Hawaiʻi’s legislative session this year was a monumental affair featuring some self-reform, historic spending and a return to in-person public participation, all largely in the wake of a bribery scandal, a budget deficit and peak coronavirus infections.
State legislature closes an ambitious session
After two years of COVID-induced budget cuts, the state legislature took advantage of a rebounding economy and federal relief funding to enact an ambitious agenda.
Minimum wage hike passes: Ige expected to sign measure boosting hourly rate to $18
“People should be able to afford their basic needs on 40 hours a week,” said Nate Hix, the director of Living Wage Hawaiʻi, an advocacy group that has been pushing for a higher minimum wage.
Hawaiʻi legislature passes bill raising minimum wage to $18
Advocates say the raise is badly needed in a state that routinely tops lists for most expensive housing and cost of living.
Hawaiʻi poised to raise minimum wage to $18 by 2028
The measure passed with a vote of 48-3 over in the House. Rep. Jeanne Kapela said it is well past time to give Hawaiʻi workers a living wage.
Hawaiʻi’s first-in-nation $18 minimum wage bill sent to governor
Hawaiʻi is poised to establish ostensibly the highest statewide minimum wage in the nation, raising it to $18 an hour by 2028, under legislation that state lawmakers sent to Gov. David Ige.
Hawaiʻi could soon have the highest minimum wage in the country
The argument against the minimum wage hike was that it would hit small businesses hard. But supporters said paying people more will allow them to put more money back into the economy.
$18 minimum wage heading to final vote
After months of back and forth, the state House and Senate reached an agreement on the $18 minimum hourly wage in a conference committee session Friday.
Hawaiʻi legislature advances minimum wage hike to $18 by 2028
Advocates say an $18 minimum wage translates to $16,000 more in annual earnings for minimum wage workers. Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage of $10.10 has not increased since 2018.
Bill to boost Hawaiʻi minimum wage heads to final vote
In the conference committee Friday, the Senate’s latest draft was approved. Boosting the current minimum wage from $10.10 to $12 an hour starting Oct. 1, 2022 then increasing it to $14 in 2024, $16 in 2026, and $18 in 2028.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers finally agree on raising the minimum wage
House Bill 2510 also makes a state earned income tax credit refundable.
Lawmakers move closer to final decision on measure to raise minimum wage
Earlier today, a conference committee voted to approve a measure that would incrementally increase the minimum wage to $18 by 2028, make permanent a refundable earned income tax credit (EITC) and incrementally increase the State’s tip credit.
Friday deadline looms for Hawaiʻi lawmakers to raise minimum wage
Supporters rallied in events across the islands to urge lawmakers to agree on a final version by Friday. If they do not agree on terms, the measure will be killed. The sticking point has been how much the raises will be and how fast they will be implemented.
Supporters rally to raise minimum wage to $18 as bill advances back to House
At a Labor for Living Wages rally at the Hawai’i State Capitol on Wednesday, Kona Rep. Jeanne Kapela said current wages cannot begin to satisfy the state’s highest cost-of-living standards in the nation.
Senate, House clash over Hawaiʻi minimum wage bills
The vast majority of those who testified at Monday’s LCA meeting favored the 2026 date for the increase, with 113 testifying in support of the 2026 date and 11 individuals testifying in support of the 2028 date. Five favored a Hawai‘i Chamber of Commerce proposal for $15 an hour by 2027, and 11 favored no increase at all.
Standing for $18 minimum wage
This demonstration comes after the state House pivoted away from the original minimum-wage proposal, Senate Bill 2018, that would have incrementally increased the minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2026.
Hawaiʻi Democrats must raise minimum wage
All Hawaiʻi workers should be able to make ends meet with one job, and it’s our legislature’s responsibility to make that a reality.
Minimum wage has stayed at $10.10 for 4 years. With high inflation, will lawmakers make any changes?
The latest state data show a single adult would need to make about $17 to $18 an hour at a full-time job to afford to live in Hawaiʻi.
Economic recovery should focus on working families
And Hawaiʻi’s lawmakers should pass legislation that supports workers’ well-being.