Gov. Ige signs $18 minimum wage increase by 2028, tax refund

"We do know that about 190,000 workers in Hawaiʻi earn the minimum wage, and so raising the minimum wage will be helping those individuals earn more income so they can pay for essentials, food, housing, shelter, and other necessary expenses," Ige said during the signing ceremony.

He said the state will see an economic boost when the measure occurs.

"We do know that those earning the minimum wage are living paycheck to paycheck to paycheck and certainly will be spending those funds in our economy, creating more jobs here for our community," Ige said.

The bill also makes the earned income tax credit permanent and refundable, helping low- to moderate-income workers cut their taxes and potentially increase their tax refund.