The US Senate is set to hold a vote on a rise in the national minimum wage, as Democrats and Republicans stake out positions ahead of November's election.
Republicans are expected to block the Democratic-backed proposal to increase it to $10.10 (£5.99) from $7.25.
They say that would be unaffordable for employers and would cost jobs, while Democrats accuse the Republicans of taking sides against poor workers.
In recent months several states have passed their own minimum wage rises.
On Tuesday, Hawaii's state legislature raised the state's minimum wage to $10.10, a level recommended by the Obama administration.
It joins a number of states and municipalities that have recently approved rises in their base hourly wages. Earlier in April, Minnesota went from having one of the nation's lowest minimum wages to the highest.
"This important step in Hawaii is yet another sign that the American people support raising the minimum wage, and I urge Republicans in Congress to follow Hawaii's lead and lift wages for 28 million Americans," President Barack Obama said in a statement.
"With a Senate vote on this crucial issue planned for today, it's time for Republicans in Congress to listen to the majority of Americans who say it's time to give America a raise."
Democratic leaders have joined Mr Obama in pushing the rise as an election-year issue.
Republicans in the Senate and the House maintain the proposal is too expensive for businesses and would result in job cuts.
