Hawaii Child Labor in Agriculture & Farming
Child labor laws on Hawaii and Federal levels have special provisions that apply to minors working in the agricultural industry, including working as farm hands, harvesting fruit or vegetables, etc. In many states, agricultural child labor laws focus on safety and tend to be less restrictive in terms of working hours than general child labor regulations.
In most cases, agricultural child labor laws do not apply to children working on their family's farm. Many traditionally agricultural states have less restrictive child labor laws in this area.
Hawaii Agricultural Child Labor Age Restrictions
According to Hawaii state law, the minimum age at which a minor may work in agriculture during school hours is 18, 16 if not legally required to attend school. The minimum age at which a minor may work in agriculture outside of school hours is 14 years old, 15 in pineapple harvesting and 10 in coffee harvesting.Minor Employment Certificate Requirements in Hawaii
An employment certificate is required by Hawaii state law for minors working in agriculture under the age of 16. Age certification is required for minors working in agriculture who are under the age of 18 applies only to 16 and 17.Hawaii Agricultural Child Labor Restrictions on Working Hours
Maximum Working Hours for Minors Under 16
Work is allowed up to 6 hours per day, 30 hours per week, for no more than 5 consecutive days, for minors under 14 in coffee harvest in a non-school period.
8 hours a day, 40 hours per week of labor is permitted when school is off. During the schoolday or week, 3 hours per day and 18 per week are permitted for 14 and 15 year olds.
8 hours of work per day, 48 hours per week is permitted in pineapple harvesting from June 1 through the day before Labor Day.
Hawaii specifies the following as the maximum days per week in which a minor under 16 can perform agricultural work: 6
Nightwork Regulations for Minors Under 16
Nightwork is prohibited for minors under age 16 during the following time windows: 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. during coffee harvest, under 14. 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (9 p.m. to 6 a.m. during any authorized school break) for ages 14 and 15, 12:30 a.m. to 6 a.m., 15 in pineapple harvest.
Prohibited Hazardous Agricultural Occupations for Minors
For workers under 16 there are several forbidden hazardous occupations.
For workers under 15 pineapple harvesters are prohibited from being on the harvesting machine or the truck attached to it.
Workers under 12 are prohibited from using any harvesting equipment while engaged in coffee harvesting except holding hooks which are free of any attachments or accessories and baskets or containers used to carry coffee berries. They are not allowed to carry loads in excess of 15 pounds.
Other Hawaii Child Labor Laws
In addition to laws specifically regulating minors employed in the agricultural industry, Hawaii law has a variety of regulations that cover child labor in general. To learn more, see Hawaii child labor laws.
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