Everything Hawaii workers and employers need to know about workers' comp benefits, filing claims, benefit calculations, and more — plus a free HI-specific benefits calculator.
Calculate Your HI Benefits ↓Hawaii's workers' compensation system is administered by the Disability Compensation Division (DCD) of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 386. Hawaii mandates coverage for all employers with one or more employees.
Hawaii calculates TTD at 66.67% of AWW with a maximum of approximately $1,066/week (2024). A notable feature is employee choice of physician, allowing injured workers to select their own treating doctor from the outset. This is more favorable than employer-directed states.
Hawaii's geographic isolation as an island state creates unique workers' compensation considerations, particularly for industries like tourism, agriculture, construction, and maritime operations. The state also maintains the Special Compensation Fund to handle uninsured employer claims and second-injury situations.
The DCD provides mediation services and maintains hearings officers who resolve disputed claims. Hawaii's relatively small population means a more compact administrative system with accessible dispute resolution processes.
Coverage: Mandatory (all employers) | TTD Rate: 66.67% of AWW | Max TTD: $1066/week | Min TTD: $266/week | Waiting Period: 3 days (retroactive after 14 days) | Statute of Limitations: 2 years | Medical: Employee choice of physician | Admin: Disability Compensation Division (DCD), Dept. of Labor | Law: HRS Chapter 386
Hawaii's $1,066/week maximum is in the upper-middle range nationally. Employee choice of physician is a significant worker-friendly feature. The 3-day waiting period with 14-day retroactive trigger is standard.
Hawaii's mandatory coverage for all employers with no threshold is consistent with most states. The 312-week TTD cap is moderate. Hawaii's unique geographic considerations affect premium rates, particularly for high-risk industries.
Hawaii requires coverage for all employers with one or more employees.
Uninsured Hawaii employers face fines, criminal penalties (misdemeanor), mandatory coverage orders, and personal liability. The DCD can impose penalties of the greater of $250/day or $10,000 for non-compliance.
TTD at 66.67% of AWW, max ~$1,066/week, min ~$266/week, up to 312 weeks.
| Parameter | 2024 Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum TTD | ~$1,066/week | Based on state AWW |
| Minimum TTD | ~$266/week | 25% of state AWW |
| Benefit Rate | 66.67% of AWW | Two-thirds of average weekly wage |
| Waiting Period | 3 days | Retroactive after 14 days |
| Maximum Duration | 312 weeks | 6 years from date of injury |
TPD at 66.67% of wage difference, up to 312 weeks.
Scheduled losses:
| Body Part | Maximum Weeks | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Thumb | 75 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Index Finger | 40 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Middle Finger | 35 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Ring Finger | 20 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Little Finger | 15 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Hand | 195 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Arm | 270 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Great Toe | 30 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Other Toes | 10 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Foot | 150 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Leg | 225 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Eye | 180 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Hearing (one ear) | 52 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
| Hearing (both ears) | 156 weeks | 66.67% of AWW |
PTD at 66.67% of AWW for life. Annual COLA adjustments apply.
66.67% of AWW to dependents for up to 312 weeks. Reasonable burial expenses covered.
All reasonable treatment covered. Employee choice of physician from the outset. No caps.
Enter your wage and injury details to estimate your Hawaii workers' compensation benefits based on current state rates.
Enter your wage details and click Calculate HI Benefits to see your estimated Hawaii workers' compensation benefits.
Filing a workers' compensation claim in Hawaii follows a structured process. Understanding each step and applicable deadlines is critical to protecting your rights.
Notify as soon as practicable. Written notice within a reasonable time.
Employer files WC-1 report with DCD and carrier within 7 working days.
Choose your own treating physician. All reasonable care covered from day one.
Carrier investigates and accepts or denies.
File a complaint with the DCD requesting a hearing before a Hearings Officer.
Hawaii has a 2-year statute of limitations from the date of injury or last benefit payment.
All employers with 1+ employees must maintain coverage. DCD actively enforces compliance.
File WC-1 reports within 7 working days. Post workplace notices.
Hawaii prohibits termination or discrimination for filing workers' comp claims.
Appeals to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board, then Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals, then Hawaii Supreme Court.
Hawaii allows settlements with DCD approval. Settlements may be full and final or leave medical benefits open. The DCD reviews all settlements to ensure fairness.
Hawaii allows workers to choose their own doctor from the start, a significant advantage over employer-directed states.
Handles uninsured employer claims, second-injury situations, and certain other special circumstances. Funded through employer assessments.
Hawaii's economy creates unique workers' comp considerations for maritime workers (who may be covered under federal law instead), tourism industry employees, and agricultural workers.
Hawaii covers occupational diseases arising from employment. A 2-year filing deadline applies from the date the worker becomes aware the condition is work-related.
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Tourism is the backbone of Hawaii's economy, with over 10 million annual visitors supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in hospitality, food service, transportation, recreation, and retail. Workers in these industries face distinct workplace injury risks that significantly impact Hawaii's workers' compensation system.
Hotel and resort workers face ergonomic risks from housekeeping duties (repetitive bending, lifting, pushing), food service workers are at risk for burns, cuts, and slips, and outdoor recreation employees face risks from water sports, hiking tours, and adventure activities. Hawaii's workers' compensation system covers all of these injuries when they arise from employment duties.
The seasonal fluctuations in tourism can affect workers' compensation claim patterns, with injury rates often peaking during high-tourism seasons when workers face increased workloads and employers may rely more heavily on temporary or part-time staff who may be less experienced. Hawaii employers in the tourism sector should implement comprehensive safety training programs, maintain adequate staffing levels during peak periods, and ensure that all employees, including seasonal and part-time workers, are covered under their workers' compensation policy.
Hawaii's island geography creates unique challenges for workers' compensation administration. Medical specialists may not be available on all islands, requiring inter-island or mainland travel for specialized treatment. Workers' compensation covers reasonable transportation costs for authorized medical treatment, including inter-island flights when necessary. The DCD considers geographic accessibility when evaluating the reasonableness of medical treatment arrangements.
Hawaii's isolation also affects insurance markets and premium rates. The limited size of the market and the geographic challenges of claims administration contribute to premium rates that may be higher than comparable risks on the mainland. Employers should work closely with their carriers to manage costs while ensuring adequate coverage for their workforce.
Given Hawaii's island geography, maritime employment is significant. Workers in maritime occupations may be covered under federal maritime law rather than Hawaii's state workers' compensation system. The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) covers longshoremen, harbor workers, and other maritime employees on navigable waters or adjoining areas. The Jones Act provides remedies for seamen (crew members) injured in the course of their employment. Understanding whether a worker falls under state or federal coverage is critical for both employers and workers in Hawaii's maritime industries. Generally, workers on navigable waters or piers are covered by federal law, while those working on land away from navigable waters fall under Hawaii's state workers' compensation system.
Hawaii is unique among U.S. states in having the Prepaid Health Care Act (PHCA), which requires employers to provide health insurance to employees working 20+ hours per week. This interacts with workers' compensation in important ways. While workers' compensation covers work-related injuries and illnesses, the PHCA-mandated health insurance covers non-work conditions. When a condition has both work-related and personal components, coordination between the two systems may be necessary. Workers should ensure that their treating physicians properly identify work-related conditions to ensure they receive workers' compensation coverage rather than being routed through their personal health insurance.