Hawaii Workers’ Compensation Guide 2026
Understand reporting, physician choice, TTD and TPD, waiting days, filing periods, hearings and appeals.
Hawaii workers’ compensation covers most employees
The law provides medical care, wage-loss compensation and other benefits for qualifying work injuries and occupational diseases. It contains exclusions for specified owners, partners, sole proprietors, certain domestic work, volunteers, clergy and other categories.
Coverage is separate from Hawaii TDI, which addresses non-work disability. A workplace claim should use workers’ compensation forms, rates and contacts.
Report the injury promptly and preserve the claim record
Tell the employer or supervisor immediately, identify every affected body part and keep proof of the report. The employer must provide the state’s workers’ compensation highlights brochure within three working days after receiving notice.
The general claim limitation is tied to when the injury’s effects become manifest: generally two years, with an outside five-year period from the accident or occurrence. Exceptions and occupational diseases can make timing fact-specific, so do not wait.
The injured worker generally chooses the treating physician
The DCD states that the injured employee is entitled to choose the treating physician. Selection, referrals, treatment authorization and whether care is reasonable and necessary can still become disputed.
Tell the provider that the condition is work-related and retain work-status notes, bills, mileage records and medical reports. The employer or insurer should pay qualifying medical care under the workers’ compensation claim rather than shifting it to ordinary health coverage.
TTD and TPD replace different kinds of wage loss
TTD generally pays 66⅔% of AWW within the annual limits. In 2026 the range is $310–$1,240, with 100% of AWW when AWW falls below the minimum. The first three calendar days are generally excluded.
TPD generally pays 66⅔% of the difference between pre-injury AWW and post-injury weekly earnings, subject to statutory limits. Medical, permanent total, permanent partial, disfigurement, death and vocational-rehabilitation benefits follow separate rules.
DCD hearings and appeals resolve disputed benefits
Disputes over compensability, treatment, disability or payment may proceed to the Disability Compensation Division for a decision. A party generally has 20 days after a decision is sent to file an appeal under the workers’ compensation process.
Keep the employer’s report, denial or payment notices, medical evidence and wage documentation. Contact the nearest DCD office for the correct form and procedure rather than relying on a general website estimate.
Hawaii Disability Compensation Division
Workers’ compensation information: 808-586-9161 · General DCD: 808-586-9151.
Open official frequently asked questions →Official sources
- Hawaii DCD workers’ compensation overview.
- Official 2026 wage base and maximum notice.
- Hawaii DCD frequently asked questions.
Reviewed: September 1, 2026.