Hawaii physician non-compete law

Who it covers

All workers; the statutory ban (§ 480-4(d)) covers only employees of technology businesses (software/IT development), not physicians or other clinicians.

Exceptions

• Covenant by the transferor of a business not to compete within a reasonable area and time (HRS § 480-4(c)(1))
• Covenant between partners not to compete with the partnership upon a partner's withdrawal, within reasonable area and time (§ 480-4(c)(2))
• Employee/agent covenant not to use the employer's trade secrets, for a reasonably necessary time without undue hardship (§ 480-4(c)(4))

Notes

Last amended 2015 (technology-business ban). 2026 enactments were checked only indirectly because the Legislature's bill-status pages were unreachable.

Sources

• Haw. Rev. Stat. § 480-4 (statute)
• Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 2026) (secondary)

Questions to ask about your contract

• Is the radius measured from your practice site or from every location the employer owns?
• Does the restriction apply if the employer terminates you without cause?
• Is there a buyout, and how is the amount calculated?
• What does your state's law say about physician non-competes?