How many hours can a 16 year old work in Hawaii during summer?

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in Hawaii can work up to 10 hr per day and No state limit per week, time window 06:00 – 00:30.

Does a 16 year old need a work permit in Hawaii?

Yes. Hawaii requires a work permit for 16-year-olds. Every minor under 18 must obtain a Certificate of Employment from the DLIR before starting work. The minor and parent or guardian apply through the DLIR with proof of age and the employer's signed offer. CL-1 is for 14-15-year-olds, CL-2 for 16-17. Certificates are job-specific.

HI · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 16 year old do in Hawaii?

Q: What jobs can a 16 year old do in Hawaii?

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in Hawaii with the following limits during the school year: 10 hr per school day, No state limit per week, time window 06:00 – 00:30. Work permit required.

Quick answer for 16-year-olds in Hawaii — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Hawaii state labor code.

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 16-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

Hawaii sets different hour caps depending on whether school is in session.

During the school year

Hours per day: 10 hr
Hours per week: No state limit
Time window: 06:00 – 00:30

Daily cap of 10 hours. Up to 12:30 AM on nights not preceding a school day; 10:00 PM on school nights.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 10 hr
Hours per week: No state limit
Time window: 06:00 – 00:30

Same 10-hour daily cap year-round.

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

General age-appropriate jobs under federal FLSA. Hawaii adds its own restricted-occupations list below — check that before accepting any job.

Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Distinctive Hawaii rule: HI does not require the Certificate of Employment at 16-17 (only for 14-15). Hawaii has no state daily / weekly hour cap or time-of-day restriction for 16-17-year-olds beyond the federal HO list.
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, beach, or ocean (with certification)
Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment (non-alcohol)
Distinctive Hawaii rule: HRS § 281-78 prohibits any minor under 18 from working in any premises in which liquor is sold for consumption on the premises — well above the typical 18 floor for alcohol service in most states. Bartender / cashier in a liquor-licensed establishment requires 21+. 16-year-olds may stock and cashier non-alcohol retail but cannot work in any bar, restaurant, or store licensed for on-premises alcohol consumption.
Office assistant, receptionist, or data-entry clerk
Park, recreation, and camp staff
Warehouse jobs without power-driven hoists (HO-7) or forklifts
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house roles (no alcohol-licensed premises)

Restricted in Hawaii

All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17(29 CFR Part 570)
Operating power-driven meat-processing machines(HO-10)
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof(HO-16)
Door-to-door sales for minors under 18 without bonded supervisor(HRS §390-2)
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 18(HRS §281-78)

Other ages in Hawaii

Same age, other states

Read the full Hawaii rules

This page summarizes the rules for 16-year-olds. For all ages, age-band breakdown, statute citation, and DOL references, see the full state page.

Full Hawaii teen labor law →Compare all 50 states →FAQ →