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HRS §104-1

Definitions for public work construction rules

This section defines key terms used in the public work construction law. It explains what counts as construction, who is a contractor, and what public work means. It also defines wages, overtime pay, and the roles of the labor department and its director.

contractorscountiesstate agencies

The statute, as written — Definitions

As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings: "Basic hourly rate" means the hourly wage paid to a laborer or mechanic for work performed during nonovertime hours, but shall not include the cost to an employer of furnishing fringe benefits, whether paid directly or indirectly to the laborer or mechanic as provided in the definition of "wages". "Construction" includes alteration, repair, painting, and decorating. "Contractor" means any person furnishing construction for a public work under a contract with a governmental contracting agency, subcontractor, or any other person under a subcontract arrangement with any person who has a construction contract subject to this chapter. "Department" means the department of labor and industrial relations. "Director" means the director of labor and industrial relations of the State. "Governmental contracting agency" means the State, any county and any officer, bureau, board, commission, or other agency or instrumentality thereof. "Overtime compensation" means compensation based on not less than one and one-half times the laborers or mechanics basic hourly rate of pay plus the cost to an employer of furnishing a laborer or mechanic with fringe benefits as described in the definition of "wages"; provided that if the department determines that a prevailing wage is defined by a collective bargaining agreement, the overtime compensation shall be at the rates set by the applicable collective bargaining agreement. "Public work" means any project, including development of any housing pursuant to section 46-15 or chapter 201H and development, construction, renovation, and maintenance related to refurbishment of any real or personal property, where the funds or resources required or used to undertake the project are to any extent derived, either directly or indirectly, from public revenues of the State or any county, or from the sale of securities or bonds whose interest or dividends are exempt from state or federal taxes. "Wages", "rate of wages", "wage rates", "minimum wages" and "prevailing wages" mean the basic hourly rate and the cost to an employer of furnishing a laborer or mechanic with fringe benefits, including but not limited to health and welfare benefits, vacation benefits, and pension benefits, whether paid directly or indirectly to the laborer or mechanic.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§46-15 Experimental and demonstration housing projects

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.