Title 1, General Provisions

§8-1 Holidays designated. The following days of each year are set apart and established as state holidays: The first day in January, New Year's Day; The third Monday in January, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day; The third Monday in February, Presidents' Day; The twenty-sixth day …

[§8-1.5] Discoverers' Day. The second Monday in October shall be known as Discoverers' Day, in recognition of the Polynesian discoverers of the Hawaiian Islands, provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 1988, c 220, §4]

[§8-10] Bodhi Day. December 8 of each year shall be known and designated as "Bodhi Day" in recognition that on this day Prince Siddhartha Gautama, after six years of study and rigorous ascetic practices and meditation, attained "enlightenment" or "awakening" to the true nature of…

§8‑11 Children and Youth Day and Month. (a) The first Sunday in October shall be known and designated as "Children and Youth Day", and the entire month of October shall be known and designated as "Children and Youth Month". This day and month are not and shall not be construed to…

§8-12 World Ocean Day. June 8 of each year shall be known and recognized as "World Ocean Day" to celebrate and honor the oceans of the world, improve international relations, and increase public awareness of conservation management of the ocean environment; provided that this day…

[§8-12.5] Water Safety Day. May 15 of each year shall be known and designated as "Water Safety Day" to spread awareness of drowning and educate Hawaii's youth in becoming safer in and around the water. This day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 2024, c 2…

[§8-13] Lei Day. May 1 of each year shall be known as "May Day is Lei Day in Hawai‘i"; provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 2001, c 11, §2]

§8-14 Financial Literacy Month. The month of April shall be known and designated as "Financial Literacy Month". This month is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 2004, c 37, §2; am L 2006, c 47, §2]

[§8-15] Kupuna Recognition Day. The fourth Saturday of July shall be known and designated as Kupuna Recognition Day, in recognition of the very significant role that kupuna play in Hawaii's culture, history, and traditions. This day is not and shall not be construed as a state ho…

[§8-16] Peace Day. September 21 of each year shall be known and recognized as "Peace Day" to promote peace programs, improve international relations, and increase educational awareness of peace; provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. All c…

[§8-16.2] Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Day. October 2 of each year shall be known and designated as "Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Day"; provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 2015, c 5, §2]

[§8-17] Caregiver Recognition Day. The first Saturday of November shall be known and designated as "Caregiver Recognition Day", in recognition of the very significant role that caregivers play in support of Hawaii's elderly and persons with disabilities. This day is not and shall…

[§8-18] Filipino-American History Month. The month of October shall be known and designated as "Filipino-American History Month". The month of October shall commemorate the contributions of Filipino-Americans to the history and heritage of Hawaii and the United States. This month…

[§8-18.5] Sakada Day. December 20 of each year shall be known and designated as "Sakada Day"; provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 2015, c 7, §2]

§8-19 Makahiki Commemoration Day. One of the kapu Hua days of Mōhalu, Hua, or Akua of the lunar month of `Ikuā of each year shall be known and designated as Makahiki Commemoration Day to recognize the Makahiki, a season and New Year festival of Hawaiian tradition celebrating harv…

§8-2 Observance of holidays falling on Sundays and Saturdays. If any of the State's legal holidays fall on Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed as a holiday. If the day falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be observed as a holiday. [L 1923, c 151, §1; RL 1925, …

[§8-20] Language Access Month. The month of August shall be known and designated as "Language Access Month" to promote awareness of language access for government services and emphasize the importance of and need for language access in Hawaii's diverse society. This month is not …

[§8-21] Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The month of October shall be known and designated as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" to promote public awareness of domestic violence as a significant societal, public health, and criminal justice problem. This month is not and shal…

[§8-22] Kalo Appreciation Month. The month of October shall be known and designated as "Kalo Appreciation Month" to celebrate the strong kalo tradition in Hawaii and the cultural connection of native Hawaiians to kalo, the Hawaiian word for taro. This month is not and shall not b…

[§8-23] Homelessness Awareness Month. The month of November shall be known and designated as "Homelessness Awareness Month" to promote public awareness of homelessness as a significant societal, public health and welfare, and public housing shortage problem. This month is not and…

[§8-24 `Ōlelo Hawai`i Month.] (a) Mahina `Ōlelo Hawai`i. E `ike mau a e kapa `ia ana ae ka mahina `o Pepeluali `o ia ka "Mahina `Ōlelo Hawai`i" i mea e ho`omaika`i a e paipai aku ai i ka `ōlelo `ana o ua `ōlelo makuahine nei la. `A`ole e kū ana kēia mahina i kapa `ia ka "Mahina `…

[§8-25] Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The month of January shall be known and designated as "Human Trafficking Awareness Month" to promote public awareness of human trafficking as a significant societal and public health crisis. This month is not and shall not be construed t…

[§8-28] Outdoor Heritage Month. The month of June shall be known and designated as "Outdoor Heritage Month" to celebrate Hawaii's diverse natural environment and recreational activities. [L 2014, c 12, §2]

[§8-29] Farm to School Month in Hawaii. The month of October shall be known and designated as "Farm to School Month in Hawaii" to promote public awareness of the State's farm to school initiative "connecting keiki to the 'āina" through coordinated activities and resources connect…

§8-3 Banking holidays. Whenever in the opinion of the governor, a public emergency exists, and it seems to the governor to be in the public interest, the governor may by proclamation designate and proclaim as legal banking holidays in the State such number of consecutive days as …

[§8-3.4] Civil Liberties and the Constitution Day. January 30 shall be known and designated as "Civil Liberties and the Constitution Day" to celebrate, honor, and encourage public education and awareness of the commitment of individuals to preserving civil liberties for Americans…

[§8-3.5] Patriot Day. September eleventh shall be known and designated as "Patriot Day". This day shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 2009, c 14, §2]

[§8-3.6] Gold Star Family Day. The last Sunday in September shall be known as "Gold Star Family Day", in recognition of the family members of the men and women who have given their lives for their country while serving with the armed forces of the United States in time of war or …

[§8-30] Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. The month of September shall be known and designated as "Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month". This month is not and shall not be construed as a state holiday. [L 2019, c 36, §2]

[§8-31] International Yoga Day. June 21 of each year shall be known and designated as "International Yoga Day"; provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 2019, c 102, §2]

[§8-32] Juneteenth. June 19 of each year shall be known and designated as Juneteenth to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States and in honor and recognition of the significant roles and contributions of African Americans in the history of the United States. Juneteenth…

[§8‑33] Kalaupapa Month. The month of January shall be known and designated as "Kalaupapa Month", to serve as an annual reminder of the importance of Kalaupapa and the significant sacrifices and contributions of its residents throughout the history of Hawaii. This month is not an…

[§8-34] La Hoihoi Ea. July 31 of each year shall be known and designated as La Hoihoi Ea to recognize the accomplishments of King Kamehameha III in restoring the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hawaii and honor upstanding members of the Hawaiian community. La Hoihoi Ea is not and s…

[§8-35] Volunteer Month. The month of April shall be known and designated as "Volunteer Month" to honor volunteers in the community and encourage participation in service projects throughout the month. This month is not and shall not be construed as a state holiday. [L 2022, c 81…

[§8-36] La Kuokoa; Hawaiian Independence Day. November 28 of each year shall be known and designated as La Kuokoa, Hawaiian Independence Day, to celebrate the historical recognition of the independence of the Kingdom of Hawaii. This day is not and shall not be construed to be a s…

[§8-37] Indigenous Peoples' Day. The second Monday in October of each year shall be known as Indigenous Peoples' Day; provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 2023, c 152, §2]

[§8-38] Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month. The month of September shall be known and designated as "Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month" to promote public awareness of the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. This month is not and shall not be …

[§8-39] Disability Awareness Month: Employment, Enrichment, and Inclusion. The month of October shall be known and designated as "Disability Awareness Month: Employment, Enrichment, and Inclusion." This month is not and shall not be construed as a state holiday. [L 2023, c 245, §…

§8-4 Buddha Day. April 8 of each year shall be known and designated as "Buddha Day", provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 1963, c 162, §1; Supp, §1-43; HRS §8-4]

[§8-4.5] Baha'i New Year's Day. The 21st day of March shall be known as Baha'i New Year's Day, provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 1971, c 39, §1]

[§8-4.6] Asian Lunar New Year Commemoration Week. The one week period following the day of the Chinese New Year shall be known and designated as the "Asian Lunar New Year Week of Commemoration in Hawaii". This week is not and shall not be construed as a state holiday. [L 2007, c …

[§8-40] Kimchi Day. November 22 of each year shall be known and designated as "Kimchi Day". This day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 2024, c 8, §2]

[§8-41] Hawaiian History Month. The month of September shall be known and designated as "Hawaiian History Month" to promote public awareness of Hawaii's history, honor Queen Liliuokalani, and recognize the contributions of the Native Hawaiian community. This month is not and shal…

[§8-42] Laulau Day. The first Friday in May of each year shall be known and designated as "Laulau Day". This day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 2025, c 270, §2]

§8-5 King Kamehameha celebration commission. (a) There shall be a commission to be known as the King Kamehameha celebration commission placed within the department of accounting and general services for administrative purposes. The commission shall consist of fifteen members to b…

[§8-5.5] Queen Lili‘uokalani Day. September 2 of each year shall be known and recognized as "Queen Lili‘uokalani Day" in memory of the birth of Queen Lili‘uokalani on September 2, 1838; provided that this day shall not be a state holiday. [L 1993, c 11, §1]

[§8-7] Arbor Day. The first Friday in November shall be known as Arbor Day, provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 1979, c 17, §1]

§8-8 Saint Damien de Veuster Day. May 10 of each year shall be known and designated as "Saint Damien de Veuster Day", provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 1982, c 46, §1; am L 2010, c 10, §2]

[§8-8.2] Saint Marianne Cope Day. January 23 of each year shall be known and designated as "Saint Marianne Cope Day", provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday. [L 2014, c 3, §2]

[§8-9] Respect for Our Elders Day. The third Sunday of October shall be known and recognized as "Respect for Our Elders Day" during which our elders may be honored with appropriate displays, celebrations, and ceremonies. Respect for Our Elders Day shall not be taken as a state ho…