Paydays and the Last Paycheck
HRS 388-3 — paid in full at the time of a firing, and by the next regular payday after quitting
- Wages are paid at least twice each calendar month on regular paydays set in advance, and are due within seven days after the end of each pay period.
- Direct deposit requires the employee's voluntary authorization, may be canceled with reasonable notice, and costs the employee nothing.
Who handles this in Hawaii: Wage Standards Division, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; and legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Hawaii directory.
| When the job ends by | Wages are paid in full |
|---|---|
| When the job ends byDischarge, with or without cause | Wages are paid in fullAt the time of discharge, or where that is impossible, not later than the next working day |
| When the job ends byQuitting | Wages are paid in fullNo later than the next regular payday, or at the time of quitting where the employee gave at least one pay period's notice |
| When the job ends byA layoff or a labor dispute | Wages are paid in fullNot later than the next regular payday |
In a dispute over the amount, the employer pays what it concedes is due, on time and without condition. Accepting it does not release the rest, and a release demanded as a condition of payment is void.
Sources for this section (3)
- HRS 388-2 — Semimonthly payday; method of payment of wages
- HRS 388-3 — Employees who are separated from the payroll before paydays
- HRS 388-5 — Unconditional payment of wages conceded to be due
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Hawaii attorney.