Hawaii Training Requirements
Hawaii does not mandate sexual harassment training by law, but it is strongly recommended by the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (HCRC). Employers are encouraged to provide comprehensive, proactive training to prevent harassment, minimize liability, and promote a respectful work culture.
The governing law is the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), Chapter 378, which prohibits employment discrimination based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other protected categories. While training is not legally required, providing it helps ensure that all employees understand their rights and responsibilities, and that the employer demonstrates good-faith compliance in creating a harassment-free workplace.
Employers should ideally train all staff within 1 year of hiring, and repeat the training annually to reinforce understanding and workplace accountability.
Here’s a scannable view for the busy you:
| Requirement Area |
What You Need to Know |
| Who Must Comply |
All Hawaii employers (public and private) |
| Who Must Be Trained |
All employees and supervisors (recommended) |
| When to Train |
Within 1 year of hire (recommended) |
| Training Duration |
1 hour minimum (recommended) |
| Training Frequency |
Annually (recommended refresher) |
| Training Format |
Interactive preferred; online or in person |
| Recordkeeping |
Not required by law but recommended to track participation and policy adherence |
Who must be trained in Hawaii, and when should the training happen?
Although not legally required, it is highly recommended that all employees and supervisors receive sexual harassment prevention training. Best practices suggest training should be provided within the first year of employment to ensure all staff are informed early on.
This approach applies to both public and private sector employers across all industries in Hawaii.
How often must training be conducted, and how long should it be?
Employers are encouraged to provide 1 hour of interactive training annually. This recommended frequency helps reinforce knowledge, support legal protections, and ensure policies are understood and followed throughout the year.
Annual refreshers are especially important in dynamic workplace environments where staff turnover or policy changes are common.
What topics must be included in Hawaii sexual harassment training?
Training should align with the standards outlined by the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (HCRC). Key content includes:
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The definition of sexual harassment under Hawaii and federal law
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Examples of inappropriate workplace behavior
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Steps for reporting harassment internally and externally
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Information on legal protections and anti-retaliation rights
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The employer’s policies and grievance procedures
Training should aim to cultivate a respectful, inclusive, and legally compliant workplace culture.
Are there any training requirements for new hires or supervisors?
There are no legal mandates, but employers are encouraged to:
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Train new hires within their first year of employment
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Provide additional guidance or role-specific training to supervisors and managers, who are often responsible for addressing complaints or modeling workplace standards
Tailoring content by role enhances the effectiveness of the training and demonstrates leadership accountability.
What are the recordkeeping requirements for Hawaii employers?
While there are no formal recordkeeping laws, it’s considered best practice to retain:
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Training completion records (names, dates)
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Training material copies or course outlines
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Notes on updates to internal policies related to harassment prevention
These records help employers document good-faith compliance and preparedness in the event of complaints or investigations.
What law governs sexual harassment in Hawaii?
Sexual harassment is addressed under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 378, which prohibits discrimination in employment based on sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and other protected categories.
The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission is the agency that enforces these laws and offers resources to help employers implement effective anti-harassment programs. The statute also defines hostile work environment standards and outlines penalties for discriminatory behavior.
How can employees file a harassment complaint in Hawaii?
If an employee experiences or witnesses harassment, they can:
Employees are encouraged to document dates, evidence, witnesses, and other key details to support their case.
Where do I find a sexual harassment training program that complies with my workplace requirements?
Below are expert-designed, state-aligned training programs developed to meet HCRC recommendations and align with state and federal legal guidance. Before assigning them to your team, be sure to:
The course is fully editable to help you meet both best-practice standards and your unique organizational needs.
