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Unemployment calculator  →  Hawaii

Hawaii Unemployment Calculator (2026)

Hawaii has one of the most generous unemployment programs in the country in 2026: up to $868 per week, and everyone who qualifies gets a full 26 weeks. Your exact amount depends on what you earned in your best quarter before the layoff.

Data verified 2026-07-04Source: US DOL + state statuteEffective 2026-01-01
Weekly benefit range
$5 – $868
Duration
26 weeks
Formula
highest quarter ÷ 21
Apply with
Hawaii's unemployment agency official
The actual rule

How Hawaii calculates it

Hawaii bases your weekly benefit on your highest-earning calendar quarter in the base period. You get 1/21 of that quarter's wages — a larger fraction than most states use, which is part of why Hawaii's benefits run high. For example, $8,400 in your best quarter works out to $400 per week.

The 2026 maximum is $868 per week, among the highest in the nation. The minimum is $5. If 1/21 of your best quarter exceeds $868, you receive the cap.

Duration is simple in Hawaii: every eligible claimant gets 26 weeks. Your total benefit is 26 times your weekly amount, with no sliding scale based on work history.

highest quarter ÷ 21, clamped to $5 – $868
Source: US DOL “Significant Provisions of State UI Laws” (Jan 2026) + state statute · verified 2026-07-04
Qualifying

Do you qualify in Hawaii?

Hawaii's wage test is tied to your benefit: you need base-period wages of at least 26 times your weekly benefit amount, with wages in at least 2 quarters. In practice, if you worked regularly for a good part of the year, you likely qualify.

You must also meet the standard conditions: unemployed through no fault of your own — a layoff counts — plus able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work each week you claim.

Maximum total benefit: 26 x WBA.

Common questions

Hawaii unemployment, in plain language

How much unemployment will I get in Hawaii? +
Up to $868 per week in 2026 — one of the highest maximums in the country. Hawaii pays 1/21 of your highest-quarter wages, so $10,500 in your best quarter means $500 per week. The minimum benefit is $5.
How long does unemployment last in Hawaii? +
26 weeks for everyone who qualifies. Unlike many states that shorten benefits based on work history, Hawaii gives all eligible claimants the same uniform duration, and your total benefit is 26 times your weekly amount.
How is the weekly benefit calculated in Hawaii? +
Divide your highest-quarter wages by 21. For example, $12,600 in your best base-period quarter gives a $600 weekly benefit. Anything above the 2026 cap of $868 is trimmed to $868.
Can I work part-time and still get unemployment in Hawaii? +
Yes. Hawaii disregards your first $150 of earnings each week — that amount doesn't reduce your benefit. Earnings above $150 reduce your payment, and you must report everything you earn. Earning too much in a week means no benefit for that week.
Who qualifies for unemployment benefits in Hawaii? +
You need base-period wages equal to at least 26 times your weekly benefit amount, spread across at least 2 quarters. You must also have lost your job through no fault of your own, and be able, available, and actively looking for work while you collect.
Is unemployment taxable in Hawaii? +
Unemployment benefits are taxable income on your federal return. You can ask to have federal tax withheld from your payments by filing Form W-4V. State tax treatment varies, so check with your state tax agency or a tax professional about your situation.
When should I apply for unemployment in Hawaii? +
As soon as you can after your last day of work. Claims generally start from the week you file rather than the week you lost your job, so waiting to apply can mean losing benefit weeks you could have received.
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States with similar benefits

New York (max $869) →Oregon (max $872) →New Jersey (max $905) →North Dakota (max $815) →All 53 states →