Hawaii Employment Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Hawaii employment attorneys who handle HCRC discrimination, wage, retaliation, and wrongful-termination claims for workers across Honolulu, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, and Maui. Whether you're facing a hospitality termination, a healthcare retaliation, or a non-compete dispute, we'll match you with the right attorney — at no cost.

File with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) within 180 days of the discriminatory act under HRS § 368-11. HCRC has a work-share agreement with the EEOC. After investigation or a notice of right-to-sue, you can file in Hawaii Circuit Court.

Race, sex (including gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), age, religion, color, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, credit history (with exceptions), domestic or sexual violence victim status, breastfeeding, and reproductive health decisions. Hawaii has unusually broad arrest/court-record and credit-history protections.

For technology workers, no — HRS § 480-4(d) (2015 reform) prohibits non-competes and non-solicits in the tech industry. For other workers, non-competes are enforceable if reasonable in time, geography, and scope, with a legitimate business interest. Blue-pencil reformation is permitted.

Hawaii's minimum wage is $14.00/hour as of January 1, 2024, with scheduled increases to $16/hour on January 1, 2026 and $18/hour on January 1, 2028.

Hawaii Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI, HRS § 392) provides up to 26 weeks of partial wage replacement for non-work-related illness or injury (employee-funded). Hawaii Family Leave Law (HFLL, HRS § 398) provides 4 weeks unpaid leave annually. The Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act ensures employer-provided health insurance.

No. HRS § 378-32 prohibits retaliation for filing or attempting to file a workers' comp claim. Remedies include reinstatement, back pay, and other relief.

Not without legal review. HEPA's broad protected-class list and Hawaii's public-policy exception create more claims than most workers realize. ADEA releases (40+) require 21 days to consider and 7-day revocation.

Why Do You Need a Employment Attorney in Hawaii?

The Hawaii Employment Practices Act (HRS § 378-1 et seq.) prohibits discrimination based on race, sex (including gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), age, religion, color, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, credit history (with exceptions), domestic or sexual violence victim status, breastfeeding, and reproductive health decision. Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) charges are filed within 180 days. Hawaii is at-will with a public-policy exception recognized in Parnar v. Americana Hotels. Non-competes are restricted for technology workers under HRS § 480-4(d) (2015 reform — prohibits non-competes in tech) and otherwise subject to a reasonableness test. Hawaii minimum wage is $14.00/hour (2024), rising to $18 by 2028. Hawaii has Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI), Prepaid Health Care Act (universal health coverage), and various leave protections.

When Do You Need a Employment Attorney in Hawaii?

Our network includes Hawaii employment attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Employment Cases in Hawaii

From the moment you connect with a Hawaii employment attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Missing the 180-day HCRC filing deadline

Signing a severance release without consulting an attorney — HEPA claims include compensatory and punitive damages

Talking to HR without documenting in writing afterward

Not preserving emails, Slack, and texts before being locked out

Posting about the dispute on social media

Accepting a final paycheck waiver without legal review

Missing the 180-day HCRC filing deadline

Signing a severance release without consulting an attorney — HEPA claims include compensatory and punitive damages

Talking to HR without documenting in writing afterward

Not preserving emails, Slack, and texts before being locked out

Posting about the dispute on social media

Accepting a final paycheck waiver without legal review

Common Hawaii Employment Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do Hawaii Employment Attorneys Cost?

33%

Typical starting contingency fee — you pay nothing unless your attorney recovers compensation for you.

Hawaii employment attorneys work on contingency or hybrid arrangements — typically 33%–40% of recovery. HEPA, Hawaii Wage and Hour Law, and federal employment statutes shift attorney fees to the employer when the worker prevails.

What Can Your Hawaii Employment Compensation Include?

Back Pay

Lost wages and benefits from termination to judgment under HEPA and Title VII. Uncapped.

Front Pay

Future lost earnings when reinstatement isn't feasible.

Compensatory Damages

Emotional distress and out-of-pocket losses. Federal Title VII / ADA cap $50K–$300K by employer size. HEPA does not impose the same caps for state-law claims — Hawaii-only claims may recover uncapped compensatory damages.

Punitive Damages

Available under HEPA HRS § 378-5 and federal statutes for malicious or reckless conduct. Hawaii punitives subject to constitutional due-process review.

Liquidated Damages

Hawaii Wage and Hour Law (HRS § 388-10): liquidated damages for unpaid wages. FLSA: doubles unpaid wages. ADEA: doubles back pay for willful violations.

Attorney Fees and Costs

Prevailing employees recover reasonable attorney fees under HEPA, Hawaii Wage Law, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, and FMLA.

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DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Hawaii Employment Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Employment Attorney in Hawaii?

When Do You Need a Employment Attorney in Hawaii?

Types of Employment Cases in Hawaii

Common Hawaii Employment Mistakes

How Much Do Hawaii Employment Attorneys Cost?

What Can Your Hawaii Employment Compensation Include?

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