Some 65 employees of M.H. Electric LLC will receive more than $305,000 in back wages and damages, by order of the U.S. Department of Labor.

A federal investigation determined that the Honolulu-based subcontractor violated federal wage and hour laws at 10 federally funded construction projects between 2012 and 2014.

The financial award comprises $290,588 in back wages, and $14,507 in back wages and damages for overtime violations.

According to the Labor Department, the company failed to timely pay employees for overtime hours, instead banking the overtime at straight-time wage rates for future use as vacation or sick leave, or for use when employees worked fewer than 40 hours.

"Federal contractors owe it to taxpayers to comply with all applicable laws, including paying their workers fairly and fully," said Terence Trotter, district director for the Wage and Hour Division in Honolulu, in a statement. "In this case, we appreciate the cooperation shown by M.H. Electric to help resolve the matter expeditiously and to commit to future compliance with applicable labor standards."