Hawaii
Laid off in Hawaii? Start here.
Who to call, what Hawaii law says about your notice, and the free state programs most people never hear about. Everything here is free, and every fact has its source at the bottom.
Who to call
Hawaii's free help, in one place.
Rapid Response is the state team that steps in around a layoff. The job center is where you sign up for career help and training. Unemployment is its own office.
- Rapid Response
- Workforce Development Council808-586-9283Hawaii Rapid Response
- Unemployment
- Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial RelationsOahu: 808-586-8970Hilo: 808-974-4086Kona: 808-322-4822Maui: 808-984-8400Kauai: 808-274-3043File a claimBefore you file, check how Hawaii treats severance with the Unemployment Check.
- Job center near you
- Find an American Job Center (search by ZIP code)
The Rapid Response team works with employers too, so say up front that you're a worker who was laid off and ask where to start. You don't need your employer's permission.
Your notice
Hawaii has its own layoff-notice law.
Hawaii's Dislocated Workers Act covers employers with 50 or more employees in the state. A closing, partial closing or relocation that follows a sale, merger or similar deal needs 60 days' written notice.
HRS ch. 394B · Hawaii DLIR, Dislocated Workers / plant closing
See recent Hawaii notices on PinkSlipped's Layoff Wire.
Only in Hawaii
What's different here.
Extra money on top of unemployment
Workers covered by the act can get a Dislocated Worker Allowance that adds to unemployment benefits for up to four weeks.
HI CAN
The Hawaii Career Acceleration Navigator links people on unemployment to career paths, work-search tracking and social services.
Before the first call
Four free checks, in the order you'll need them.
They work for Hawaii and every other state, and none of them asks for your name.
- 1Unemployment CheckWhen to file, and the weeks severance may offset
- 2Runway CheckKnow your runway in ten minutes
- 3Insurance CheckCOBRA or the Marketplace: what coverage actually costs
- 4401(k) CheckWhat touching the 401(k) really costs
Your Plan puts the Hawaii calls in the right week, next to your unemployment claim and your severance deadlines. Build my free Plan
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, State Rapid Response Coordinators
- U.S. Department of Labor, How Do I File for Unemployment Insurance?
- Hawaii DLIR, Dislocated Workers / plant closing
- Office of the Governor of Hawaii, HI CAN
- Hawaii Rapid Response
Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Contacts and programs change; Hawaii's job center has the final word.
General education, not legal advice. PinkSlipped isn't affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor or any state agency.