Tipping in Honolulu: A Complete Guide for 2026
Honolulu is one of the most expensive cities in the US (196 COL index) and a major international tourist destination. Hawaii has no tip credit — all workers earn the full $14/hour minimum wage before tips. Resort hotels in Waikiki add mandatory resort fees ($30–60/night), which are separate from gratuities. Always check whether a hotel fee covers any services before assuming tips are included.
Tipping Guide for Honolulu
| Situation | Recommended Tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant (sit-down) | 18-20% |
| Bar / Nightlife | 20% |
| Taxi / Rideshare | 15-20% |
| Hotel Housekeeping | $3-5/night |
| Food Delivery | 15-20% |
Local Tipping Tips for Honolulu
- Waikiki resort fees ($30–60/night) do not go to housekeeping or service staff — tip $3–5/night for housekeeping separately.
- Hawaii's GET (General Excise Tax) of 4.712% functions like a sales tax on services. Some restaurants pass this through as a line item on the bill.
- Luaus typically include a built-in 20–22% service charge — check your package details before tipping additionally.
- Shave ice stands and plate lunch trucks are a local tradition — tipping $1 for counter service is appreciated but informal.
Quick Tip Calculator for Honolulu
Enter your bill amount to see tip options based on Honolulu norms.
Tip Amounts for Honolulu
Sales tax in Honolulu is 4.712%. Etiquette tip: tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Learn more.
No Tax on Tips in Hawaii
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), tips earned by workers in Hawaii are now exempt from federal income tax — up to $25,000 per year — for tax years 2025 through 2028. This is a major benefit for Honolulu's service workers.
Honolulu workers earn the full minimum wage of $14.00/hr regardless of tips. Under OBBBA, their tip income is now federally tax-exempt up to $25,000 per year.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tipping in Honolulu
What is the tax on restaurant meals in Honolulu?
Hawaii charges a General Excise Tax (GET) of 4.712% (4% state + 0.5% Honolulu surcharge + 0.212% additional). This functions similarly to a sales tax and applies to restaurant meals. Some restaurants add the GET as a visible line item rather than embedding it in prices.
How much should I tip at a Honolulu restaurant?
18–20% is standard in Honolulu. Hawaii has no tip credit — all workers earn at least $14/hour — but the extremely high cost of living means tips remain an important income supplement. At resort restaurants and fine dining in Waikiki, 20% is the expectation.
Do resort fees in Hawaii hotels include tips?
No — Honolulu resort fees ($30–60/night at many Waikiki hotels) cover amenities like pool access, WiFi, and gym use. They do not include tips for housekeeping, bellhop, valet, or concierge. Tip these staff members separately at standard rates.
Tipping Guides for Nearby Cities
Related Tipping & Tax Tools
National Tipping Guide — Tip & Tax Calculator — Hawaii OBBBA Calculator — Tipflation & Tip Fatigue Guide