Hawaii proposes tax breaks for businesses hiring paid interns

Relating To Income Tax Credit.

Introduced· 2026-01-28

Who's it for

Who's it for: Workers

What it means for you

7/10Helps you

Good for everyday people ·

Cost shiftHeavily funded

Plain‑English summary, cross‑checked against the official bill text.

This bill would give businesses a tax break of up to $2,000 for every paid intern or apprentice they hire to boost local job training.

Our take

What we think, in plain words.

This is a straightforward incentive program to get companies to offer more paid internships and apprenticeships. While it means the state collects up to $5 million less in taxes from businesses, that money directly supports paying people who are learning a trade or starting their careers. It includes a reporting requirement to make sure the program is actually working before it expands.

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The facts

What the bill actually says, no spin.

Gives businesses a $1,000 tax credit for hiring a qualified paid intern.
Gives a $2,000 tax credit for hiring a registered apprentice.
Requires interns to be paid and work for at least three months to qualify.
Caps the total amount of tax credits given out by the state at $5 million.
Requires the state to report back in 2029 on how many jobs were created and the total cost.