Honolulu · HI · Vetted Directory

Top Employment Lawyers in Honolulu

If you were fired, harassed, or shorted on pay in Honolulu, a Hawaii employment lawyer can tell you whether the law was actually broken. Hawaii is an at-will state, so an employer can usually fire you for any reason that is not illegal, but the Hawaii Employment Practices Act (HRS Chapter 378) bars firing or punishing you because of race, sex, age, disability, religion, and other protected traits, or for reporting wrongdoing. Discrimination complaints go to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission within 180 days, or to the EEOC. Below are vetted Honolulu firms that represent employees.

180 Days
HCRC Filing Deadline
HRS 378
Hawaii Employment Practices Act
At-Will + Exceptions
Hawaii Rule
Free
Many Consults

Updated May 26, 2026

When you need a Honolulu employment lawyer

Not every bad day at work is a legal case. Talk to an employment lawyer when something crosses a legal line:

  • You were fired or demoted after reporting harassment, discrimination, safety problems, or fraud.
  • You were treated worse because of race, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, or national origin.
  • You faced sexual harassment or a hostile work environment that your employer ignored.
  • You were not paid overtime, minimum wage, or your final paycheck.
  • Your employer is trying to enforce a non-compete or is withholding earned commissions.
  • You were denied family or medical leave you were entitled to take.

Hawaii's deadlines are short, especially the 180-day window to file a discrimination complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. Talking to a lawyer early protects your options before evidence and deadlines slip away.

What employment help costs in Honolulu

Many employee-side cases are handled on contingency, so you pay nothing up front:

33%-40%
Common contingency fee
$250-$450/hr
If billed hourly
Free
Many initial consults
Filed first
HCRC / EEOC charge

On a contingency case, the lawyer is paid a percentage of what you recover, typically a third to 40 percent, and advances the costs. Some matters, such as contract or advice work, are billed hourly. Ask whether your case is a fit for contingency and who pays costs if you do not win.

How long employment matters take

Employment cases move through an agency before they reach court:

  • HCRC or EEOC charge: must be filed within 180 days (HCRC) of the harm; investigation can take several months to over a year.
  • Right-to-sue and lawsuit: once issued, a case in the First Circuit Court often runs 1 to 2 years.
  • Settlement: many cases resolve at mediation, sometimes within months of filing.
  • Wage claims: can move faster through the state Department of Labor.

For a national overview, see our employment law guide, or browse all Honolulu lawyers.

Honolulu firms that handle employment matters

1

HKM Employment Attorneys LLP

HonoluluMid-size firmWrongful termination, discrimination

A national employment firm with a Honolulu office that represents employees in wrongful termination, discrimination, and wage claims, with a focus on protecting workers' rights.

Free consultContingency available
Request Free Consult
2

Bickerton Law Group LLLP

HonoluluSmall firmWrongful termination, employment disputes

A Honolulu trial firm whose employment team pursues damages in wrongful termination, discrimination, and retaliation cases.

Consultation by appt.Contingency available
Request Free Consult
3

The Law Offices of Alex M. Sonson

HonoluluSolo / small firmEmployee rights, free consults

A Honolulu employment firm focused on protecting employees across Hawaii, offering free consultations on termination and workplace disputes.

Free consultContingency available
Request Free Consult
4

Shawn A. Luiz, Attorney at Law

HonoluluSolo practiceRetaliation, whistleblower

Handles wrongful termination, retaliation, and whistleblower claims for Hawaii workers, asserting employee rights in discrimination and labor matters.

Consultation by appt.Contingency available
Request Free Consult
5

The Law Offices of W. Anthony Aguinaldo

HonoluluSolo practiceHarassment, retaliation, discrimination

Serves the Honolulu metro on wrongful termination and equal employment violations, including harassment, retaliation, and discrimination.

Consultation by appt.Hourly / contingency
Request Free Consult
6

Ota & Hara LLC

HonoluluSmall firmMediation and litigation

A Honolulu firm offering both mediation and litigation in wrongful dismissal, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation matters.

Consultation by appt.Hourly
Request Free Consult

See the full ranked write-up in our Top 10 employment lawyers in Honolulu guide. Firm details are gathered from public sources; ratings not shown are not yet aggregated.

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Employment in Honolulu - FAQ

How long do I have to file an employment claim in Hawaii?
For discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, you generally have 180 days to file a complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, or up to 300 days with the EEOC in some cases. Wage claims and contract claims have their own, often longer, deadlines. Because the windows are short, talk to a lawyer quickly.
Can I be fired for no reason in Hawaii?
Usually, yes. Hawaii is an at-will state, so an employer can fire you for almost any reason or no reason. What an employer cannot do is fire you for an illegal reason, such as your race, sex, age, disability, or religion, or because you reported harassment, discrimination, or unsafe conditions.
What does an employment lawyer cost in Honolulu?
Many employee-side cases are taken on contingency, meaning the lawyer is paid a percentage, often a third to 40 percent, only if you recover, and advances the costs. Advice and contract work is usually billed hourly at $250 to $450. Many firms offer a free initial consultation.
What is wrongful termination under Hawaii law?
It is being fired for a reason the law forbids, such as discrimination based on a protected trait, retaliation for reporting wrongdoing, or in violation of public policy. Being fired unfairly is not always illegal; a lawyer can tell you whether your termination actually breaks Hawaii or federal law.
Do I have to go to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission before I can sue?
For most discrimination and harassment claims, yes. You generally must file with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission or the EEOC first and get a right-to-sue notice before filing a lawsuit. Your lawyer handles that filing and the deadlines that come with it.

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