Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed Senate Bill 2609, raising the state's minimum wage over four years to $10.10 an hour and upping the tip credit over two years.

“A hardworking sector of our community has gone seven years without a raise,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “This legislation will raise Hawaii’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour, providing our lowest paid workers with the economic stability and security they deserve.”

The bill increases the state’s minimum wage rate to $7.75 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2015, $8.50 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2016, $9.25 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2017, and $10.10 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2018. It also raises the tip credit to 50 cents per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2015 and 75 cents per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2016, as long as the combined amount the employee receives in wages and tips is at least $7 more than the applicable minimum wage beginning Jan. 1, 2015.