Payment methods (direct deposit, pay cards)
Direct deposit only with voluntary written or electronic consent, into an insured account, with no fees and no penalty for refusing. Other pay methods are covered by HRS 388-5.7. Source: data.capitol.hawaii.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pay stubs
Every payday give a record of gross pay, each deduction and its purpose, net pay, pay date and pay period. Electronic records need written consent. Keep copies 6 years. Source: data.capitol.hawaii.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
Unpaid wages plus 6% yearly interest and a penalty of at least $500 or $100 per violation. Willful non-payment can be a class C felony. Source: data.capitol.hawaii.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 388-2, 388-7 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Wage Standards Division (opens in a new tab)
What federal law says
Federal law does not set how often employers must pay. Under the FLSA, wages are due on the regular payday for the pay period. State laws set the frequency. Source: U.S. DOL — state payday table↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pay frequency checklist for Hawaii employers
A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.
- Pick a pay schedule that meets the minimum frequency above.
- Set fixed paydays within the time limit after each pay period ends.
- Tell employees their payday in writing, and post it if required.
- Choose payment methods your state allows (check, direct deposit, pay card).
- Give a pay stub with the details your state requires.
- Keep payroll records.
More Hawaii employment law guides
- All Hawaii employment laws
- Hawaii final paycheck law
- Hawaii paid sick leave law
- Hawaii meal and rest break laws
- Hawaii overtime law
- Hawaii vacation and PTO payout law
- Hawaii new hire reporting
- Hawaii at-will exceptions
Pay frequency laws in other states
See every state on one page, or pick a state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
All official government sources, last checked October 19, 2026.
- https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0388/HRS_0388-0002.htm
- https://labor.hawaii.gov/wsd/unpaid-wages/
- https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0388/HRS_0388-0007.htm
- https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0388/HRS_0388-0010.htm
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/payday
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.
Last checked: . Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.