🌺 Hawaii Wage Garnishment Laws & Collection Guide ()
📍 Collecting a judgment in Hawaii? Wage garnishment in the Aloha State has some unique considerations due to Hawaii’s island geography and specific legal procedures. This guide covers everything you need to know as part of your Hawaii judgment collection strategy.
⚖️ What Is Wage Garnishment in Hawaii?
Wage garnishment in Hawaii allows judgment creditors to collect money from a debtor’s paycheck. Hawaii has specific garnishment rules under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 652 that provide significant debtor protection.
For creditors working on how to collect a judgment, understanding Hawaii’s unique limits is essential. Our skip tracing services help locate debtors across all Hawaiian islands.
💡 Key Point: Hawaii protects the first $786 per month of wages (95% of the first month’s disposable earnings). Only amounts above this can be garnished at 5-25% depending on income level.
⚠️ Hawaii Difference: Hawaii uses a tiered garnishment system based on income levels, with greater protection for lower-income debtors. This is more complex than most states’ flat 25% limit.
🏛️ Types of Wage Garnishment
- Consumer Debt Garnishment – Tiered 5-25% based on disposable income
- Child Support Withholding – Up to 50-65% of disposable earnings
- Tax Levies – Hawaii DoTax and IRS have broader powers
- Student Loan Garnishment – Up to 15% for federal student loans
💰 Hawaii Wage Garnishment Limits
Hawaii uses a tiered system based on monthly disposable income:
| Monthly Disposable Income | Maximum Garnishment |
|---|---|
| $0 – $786.27 | 5% of disposable income |
| $786.27 – $1,310.44 | 10% of disposable income |
| $1,310.44 – $1,965.66 | 15% of disposable income |
| $1,965.66 – $2,620.89 | 20% of disposable income |
| Over $2,620.89 | 25% of disposable income |
🔍 Need to Find a Debtor’s Employer in Hawaii?
Our employment verification services locate employer information across all Hawaiian islands within 24 hours.
Order Employer Search →📋 Steps to Garnish Wages in Hawaii
- Obtain a Money Judgment
Get a Hawaii judgment from Circuit or District Court, or domesticate an out-of-state judgment.
- Locate Debtor and Employer
Our Hawaii skip tracing finds employer information across all islands.
- File Garnishment Summons
File with the court and request issuance of garnishment summons.
- Serve the Employer
Serve garnishment on employer (garnishee). Hawaii allows various service methods.
- Employer Files Answer
Employer must respond with employment and wage information.
- Court Issues Order
Garnishment order based on tiered income calculations.
- Monitor Payments
Track payments and file satisfaction when paid.
🔍 Skip Tracing Across Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii’s island geography creates unique challenges for locating debtors. Our services cover all islands:
🏝️ Island Coverage
- Oahu (Honolulu) – Population and employment center
- Maui – Tourism and agriculture
- Big Island (Hawaii) – Diverse industries
- Kauai – Tourism focus
- All Outer Islands – Complete coverage
🎯 Hawaii Debtor on Another Island?
20+ years helping creditors locate judgment debtors across all Hawaiian islands.
Start Your Search →⏱️ Garnishment Timeline
Week 1: File garnishment summons
Week 1-3: Serve employer (may take longer for outer islands)
Week 3-5: Employer files answer
Week 5-8: First payment received
🛡️ Debtor Protections
- Tiered garnishment system – Lower income = lower garnishment %
- 95% protection on first $786/month
- Exempt income – Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits
- Objection rights – Can claim exemptions
📍 Our Hawaii Services
🔍 Skip Tracing
💼 Asset Research
📞 Ready to Collect Your Hawaii Judgment?
Get Started Today →❓ FAQs
Hawaii uses a tiered system: 5% for income up to $786/month, scaling up to 25% for income over $2,621/month.
10 years, renewable before expiration.
You can still garnish wages regardless of which island the debtor lives on. File in the circuit where judgment was obtained.
