Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNLHawaii minimum raise could rise $1 over 2 years

By TREENA SHAPIRO
Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii's minimum wage could increase $1 to $8.25 over the next two years under a bill before the state Legislature.

If the bill passes this session, the state would see its first minimum wage increase since 2007, when the hourly minimum was set at $7.25.

The House Labor and Public Employment Committee on Tuesday will consider House Bill 1682, which would raise the minimum wage to $7.75 beginning July 1, 2012 and $8.25 beginning July 1, 2013.

The current federal minimum wage is $7.25. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have minimum wages above $7.25, with Washington state topping the list at $9.04 an hour.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.