What is the minimum age to work as a youth sports referee in Hawaii?

14 (10+ newspaper; 12-13 limited agriculture) Parent-employed exempt; no referee carve-out. State law keys on 'employ/permit to work' - no 1099 carve-out; misclassifying minor officials as contractors does not avoid child-labor rules.

When is a final paycheck due in Hawaii if you let someone go?

Immediately or next working day Penalties under HRS 388-10. PTO per policy.

How does Hawaii decide whether a coach or referee is a 1099 contractor or an employee?

FLSA-modeled economic reality, HRS 387-1 defines 'employ' as 'to permit or suffer to work' with no statutory IC test in ch. 387. The ABC test applies only to UI (HRS 383-6).

For youth sports organizations and event operators · Hawaii rulebook

Youth sports labor rules in Hawaii: who can you put in the game, and what do you owe them?

State rules for everyone a youth sports organization pays: coaches and trainers on payroll, officials and event staff on 1099, program and front-office staff, and the teenagers you hire for a season. Wages, final pay, minors, contractor status and youth safety, 50 states + DC, checked against statute text.

Last reviewed Sep 9, 202651 jurisdictions · 29 rules each

Step 1

Pick the state where the work happens

Rules follow where people work, not where you are based. Running an event? Use the event state. Operating a club or league? Use the state where your staff coach, officiate and work.

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Set a role, age and pay type below to see which rules apply to your organization.

Step 2

Check a staffing plan

Tell us who you are paying, how old they are, and whether they are on payroll or 1099. We rank what applies.

State where the work happens

Role

Worker age

Paid as

Not sure if someone should be 1099 or on payroll?Answer 5 plain-English questions. We explain the sticking points in your state.5-question check

Tourney Direct does not decide classification. Confirm with a tax advisor or attorney before you onboard anyone as a contractor.

Step 3

Everything on file for Hawaii

All 29 rules for this state, with the statutes and agency pages they came from.

Wages and pay
Minimum wage (2026): $16.00; $18.00 on 1/1/2028
Required pay frequency: Semi-monthly (monthly by election)
Final paycheck if you let them go: Immediately or next working day
Final paycheck if they quit: Next regular payday (immediately if ≥1 pay period notice)
Final-pay penalties: Penalties under HRS 388-10. PTO per policy.
State income tax withholding: Yes
Workers' comp required at: 1+
New-hire report due (days): 20
Minors
Minimum working age: 14 (10+ newspaper; 12-13 limited agriculture)
Work permit: Yes: Certificate of Employment under 16 and Certificate of Age 16-17, both issued by HI DLIR (eWork online)
Ages 14 to 15, school in session: 3 hrs/day, 18 hrs/wk, 6 days; 7am-7pm
Ages 14 to 15, summer and breaks: 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/wk, 6 days; 6am-9pm during authorized school breaks
Ages 16 to 17: None: federal has none
Weekend and evening games: 6-day cap for 14-15; 9pm only during official school breaks (not ordinary weekends)
Referee, coach and recreation exemptions: Parent-employed exempt; no referee carve-out. State law keys on 'employ/permit to work' - no 1099 carve-out; misclassifying minor officials as contractors does not avoid child-labor rules.
Contractors and leave
How this state decides 1099 vs. payroll: FLSA-modeled economic reality, HRS 387-1 defines 'employ' as 'to permit or suffer to work' with no statutory IC test in ch. 387. The ABC test applies only to UI (HRS 383-6).
Same question, for unemployment insurance: ABC test (HRS 383-6)
Referee-specific rule: None found (no officials-specific statute; general tests apply)
Seasonal or recreation carve-out: HRS 387-1 'employee' para. (13) excludes seasonal youth camp staff in a resident situation at a 501-exempt nonprofit or ACA-accredited youth camp; also excludes employees whose wages are governed by FLSA unless state rate is higher. No general seasonal amusement/recreation or coach exemption.
Paid sick leave: No: Hawaii DLIR: 'paid vacation and sick leave is not required by law.' No paid sick leave mandate enacted in the 2026 session (NFIB end-of-session report; checked 9/9/2026).
Paid family and medical leave: No (TDI is disability only; PFML bills pending)
What it costs to get it wrong: HRS 383/386 audit penalties; no per-worker statute
Safety
Background checks: None statewide: check county/league policy (HRS §846-2.7 permits checks for youth-serving orgs).
Concussion law: HRS §302A-1? (Act 197, 2012; Act 262, 2016), school (DOE/HHSAA) AND youth sports organizations using DOE facilities; coach training; RTP clearance by licensed health-care provider.
Sudden cardiac arrest law: None.
CPR and AED: None statewide for youth leagues.
Coaches as mandated reporters: Paid coaches yes; volunteers no, HRS §350-1.1(a)(7) names 'employees of any public or private agency providing recreational or sports activities.' Statute says 'employees' only; unpaid volunteer coaches are not named.
Coach certification: None.
Assault-on-official law: Yes: HRS §706-605.6 (Act 58, SLH 2020; amended Act 140, SLH 2023): court may enjoin a person convicted of assaulting/threatening a sports official from attending similar events up to 12 months (life for 2nd offense); 'sports official' includes umpires, referees, timers, scorers and coaches, paid or volunteer. HB 1888 (2026, 'Safety of Educational Workers') signed as Act 234 on July 13, 2026, adds protections for educational workers and sports officials (AG assistance with protective orders; earlier felony-enhancement language was narrowed in committee). Checked 9/9/2026.

All states

Rulebook by state

Hawaii at a glance: minimum wage $16.00; $18.00 on 1/1/2028. Final paycheck when you let someone go: Immediately or next working day. Minimum working age: 14 (10+ newspaper; 12-13 limited agriculture). Background checks for youth sports: None statewide: check county/league policy (HRS §846-2.7 permits checks for youth-serving orgs).