Meal & Rest Break Laws in Hawaii
Hawaii (HI) · Meal & break laws · Last reviewed June 2026
Meal break
No state mandate
Paid rest break
No state mandate
Federal rule
Short breaks paid
Is there a federal break law?
Federal law does not require employers to provide meal or rest breaks. It only says that if you offer short breaks (usually 5–20 minutes), those must be paid, while bona fide meal periods of 30 minutes or more — where the employee is fully relieved of duty — can be unpaid. Everything beyond that is set by the state.
Meal breaks in Hawaii
Hawaii does not have a general law requiring meal breaks for adult employees. Employers may still choose to offer them, and many do. Note that special rules often apply to minors.
Rest breaks in Hawaii
Hawaii does not mandate separate paid rest breaks for adults. Short breaks you do offer must still be paid under federal rules.
Documenting breaks
Whether or not breaks are required, the strongest protection is a clear record. A time clock that captures break and lunch punches — and lets employees confirm their breaks were provided — gives you the documentation that resolves most disputes.
Official sources
More Hawaii guides
Meal & break laws in other states
Hawaii meal & break laws: frequently asked questions
Are lunch breaks required by law in Hawaii?
No — Hawaii has no general meal-break requirement for adults, though employers may offer one and stricter rules apply to minors.
Are rest breaks paid in Hawaii?
Hawaii has no separate paid-rest-break mandate, but any short break you do offer must be paid under federal rules.
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