Hawaii Child Labor Laws
Even though Hawaii, as the 50th and last State in the Union, it has one of the longest, richest histories of any of the States. Coffee and pineapple plantations have used children for harvesting their crops for centuries. There are very specific guidelines minors must follow in being employed in these occupations.
Child Labor Laws in Hawaii For Minors Under 14
For practical purposes, minors under the age of 14 are typically not allowed to be employed for monetary gain in Hawaii in order to maintain their safety and academic integrity. There are provisions and requirements for a Certificate of Employment for underage workers. In order to work on the coffee harvest, workers must be at least 10 years old and work under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian.
The guidelines for employing minors age 10-14 harvesting coffee are as follows:
- May only harvest between 6am and 6pm on non-school days
- Must have a 15-minute break every two consecutive hours
- Must have a one-hour break every four consecutive hours
- A maximum of six hours per day
- No more than five consecutive days per week
- A maximum of 30 hours per week
- May not lift or carry more than 15 pounds
Children under the age of 14 are permitted to work in the entertainment industry with specific restrictions. Children under six years old may not work more than two hours per day and no later than 7:30pm. The guidelines for 6-14 year olds are as follows:
- No more than three hours per day (six to nine years old)
- No more than four hours per day (10-14 years old)
- May work no later than 8:30 on school nights
- May work no later than 10:30 on non-school nights
- A maximum of ten hours per day school and work combined
- No more than four days per week
Child Labor Laws in Hawaii For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old
Minors 14-15 may work in certain occupations but not ones considered hazardous, including:
- Manufacturing or Mechanical Processing of any kind
- Use of Hoisting Apparatus
- Public Messenger services
- Work involving Boiler Rooms
- Maintenance or Repair of Mechanical Equipment
- Window Washing
- Use, Maintenance, or Cleaning of Food Slicers, Choppers, Cutters, or Bakery Mixers
- Work in Freezers or Meat Coolers
- Loading or Unloading Trucks
- Use of Conveyor Belts
- Work in Warehouses (except Clerical Jobs)
- Transportation of Persons or Goods
A list of Hazardous Occupations from which all minors in Hawaii are prohibited is contained below.
The restrictions for 14-15 year olds are as follows:
When public school is in session:
- No working during school hours
- No more than three hours on a school day
- No more than eight hours on a non-school day
- A maximum of 18 hours per week
- No earlier than 7am or later than 7pm
- No earlier than 6am or later than 9pm on non-school days
- A maximum of six consecutive days
- Must have a 30-minute rest or meal period for each five consecutive hours worked
When school is not in session:
- No more than eight hours per day
- A maximum of 40 hours per week
- No earlier than 6am or later than 9pm
- Must have a 30-minute rest or meal period for each five consecutive hours worked
With coffee being a major export in Hawaii, there is a specific set of guidelines for 14 year olds working in the coffee industry. They are as follows:
- No more than three hours per day
- No more than four hours per day
- May work no later than 8:30 on school nights
- May work no later than 10:30 on non-school nights
- A maximum of ten hours per day school and work combined
- No more than four days per week
Pineapple plantations are plentiful in Hawaii and constitute another major export. Beginning at age 15, minors may work harvesting pineapples. The restrictions here include:
- No more than eight hours per day
- A maximum of 48 hours per week between June 1st and Labor Day
- No earlier than 6am or later than 12:30am
- May not use cultivating, harvesting, or machines attached to trucks, stand alone, unsupervised at any time, or work in poorly lit areas
- Must wear protective eyewear, gloves and clothing protecting the skin areas
- Must arrange transportation prior to working past 9pm
- May not work in groups where a majority of the employees are 17 or older
Fourteen and 15 year olds who work in the field of entertainment must adhere to the following guidelines:
- No more than eight hours per day
- A maximum of 10 hours per day, school and work combined
- No more than four days per week
- May not work later than 11:30pm on non-school nights
- May not work later than 9:30pm on school nights
Minors in this age group may not work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption.
Child Labor Laws in Hawaii For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old
Minors in this age group can work a variety of jobs and they must obtain a Certificate of Age from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Sixteen and 17 year olds are prohibited from working in the following Hazardous Occupations:
- Assisting with or Driving Motor Vehicles on a job
- Work Exposing Minors to Radiation or Ionizing Substances
- Use of Powered Shears, Metal-Forming, or Punching Equipment
- Rendering Plants or Packaging/Slaughtering Meat
- Operation of Elevators or Powered Hoisting Apparatus
- Use Power-Operated Bakery Machines
- Work involving Powered Paper Product Machinery, i.e. Guillotine Cutters or Mitering Machines
- Brick and Tile Manufacturing
- Use of Circular and/or Band Saws
- Wrecking or Demolition
- Excavation/Mining
- Logging or Mill Work
- Agricultural Operations (except Coffee/Pineapple Harvesting)
The restrictions for 16 and 17 year olds include:
When public school is in session:
- No working during school hours
- A maximum of three hours on a school day
- No more than 18 hours per week
- No more than six consecutive days
- No earlier than 7am or later than 7pm
- Must have a 30-minute rest or meal period for each five consecutive hours worked
When public school is not in session:
- No more than eight hours per day
- A maximum of 40 hours per week
- No earlier than 6am or later than 9pm
- Must have a 30-minute rest or meal period for each five consecutive hours worked
Minors 16 and 17 years old who work in the coffee or pineapple harvesting industries must follow general State laws for Minors regarding hours of employment.
Sixteen and 17 year olds who work in the entertainment industry must adhere to the following guidelines:
- May not work later than 9:30pm on school nights
- May not work later than 11:30pm on non-school nights
- May not work more than four days per week
- A maximum of 10 hours per day, school and work combined
- Sixteen year olds may not work more than eight hours per day
Minors in this age group may not work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption.
The Hawaii Child Labor Law does not apply to the sale or distribution of newspapers, golf caddying, casual work in an employer’s home, employment by a parent or guardian, and volunteer work for charitable or nonprofit agencies.