Wage Garnishment in Hawaii

Hawaii’s Sliding-Scale Garnishment Formula

Hawaii is the only state in the country that uses a sliding-scale garnishment formula based on monthly income tiers. Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 652-1, garnishment is calculated using a progressive bracket system rather than a flat percentage — making Hawaii one of the most nuanced and worker-protective garnishment regimes in the nation.

The Monthly Tier System

Hawaii’s garnishment applies to monthly disposable earnings in three brackets:

• 5% of the first $100 of monthly disposable earnings
• 10% of the next $100 of monthly disposable earnings
• 20% of all remaining monthly disposable earnings above $200

This tiered approach is fundamentally different from the federal baseline, which applies a flat 25% to all earnings above the protected floor. For low-wage workers, Hawaii’s formula results in dramatically lower garnishment amounts.

Practical Comparison

Consider a worker with $2,000/month in disposable earnings ($500/week):

• Hawaii: 5% × $100 + 10% × $100 + 20% × $1,800 = $5 + $10 + $360 = $375/month
• Federal baseline (approx.): 25% × $2,000 = $500/month

The difference is most pronounced at lower income levels. A worker with $1,000/month in disposable earnings pays $95/month under Hawaii’s formula versus potentially $250 under the federal formula — Hawaii takes less than half.

Context in the Pacific

Hawaii stands alone in the Pacific with this unique formula, while Alaska provides strong head-of-household protections and West Coast states like California and Oregon offer other protective models. Hawaii’s $14.00 state minimum wage also provides workers a solid earnings base before garnishment applies.

Statute: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 652-1; 15 U.S.C. § 1673 — Official source

This calculator is for consumer debt garnishment only. Not legal advice. Rules vary by debt type (student loans, child support, taxes). Verify with official sources before making any financial or legal decisions.