Who is exempt from requiring a workers' compensation policy in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, individuals who are self-employed and have no employees do not require a workers' compensation policy. This aligns with the principle that workers' compensation laws are designed to protect employees in the event of work-related injuries or illnesses, and self-employed individuals do not have a traditional employer-employee relationship to protect.

The key factor here is that since a self-employed engineer operates independently and does not hire others, they do not fall under the purview of the workers' compensation insurance requirements. Additionally, while small business owners and part-time contracted workers may have specific considerations or exemptions depending on their circumstances, they typically do not meet the same conditions that allow for exemption as someone who is completely self-employed without any employees.

Understanding who is and isn't required to have workers' compensation insurance is important for compliance within the state, especially for those starting their own businesses or operating as independent contractors.