Hawaii requires prevailing wages on all state and county construction projects greater than $2,000. Wage rate schedules are issued approximately on February 15 and September 15 each year. Contractors must pay at least the basic hourly rate plus fringe benefits.
Hawaii has an active prevailing wage law (Hawaii Prevailing Wage Law (HRS Chapter 104)). Administered by Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Wage Standards Division. Certified payroll is required. Federal Davis-Bacon applies to all federal projects.
The federal Davis-Bacon Act applies to all federally funded or federally assisted construction contracts over $2,000 in Hawaii. This includes projects funded by federal agencies, FHWA highway projects, HUD housing, and projects receiving federal grants.
Contractors who fail to pay prevailing wages may be required to pay back wages, face debarment from public contracts, and be subject to civil penalties.