Hawaii Drone Laws (2026): State Rules, Local Ordinances & FAA
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Hawaii maintains among the most restrictive drone regulatory environments in the United States, with a comprehensive 2024 criminal framework creating three felony tiers for drone misuse (Act 161, effective July 2, 2024) and a near-total prohibition on operating in state parks, beaches, and most state-managed lands. Marine mammal protection rules require a 1,000-foot setback from whales year-round, and all National Parks are off-limits. Military airspace density, county park restrictions, and federal wildlife protections further constrain recreational and commercial operations.
State Drone Laws
HRS 711-1121Misuse of Uncrewed Aircraft in the First Degree
Class A felony. Prohibits equipping or arming a drone with a firearm, explosive, electric gun, or weapon of mass destruction; using a drone to interfere with or disrupt a manned aircraft; using a drone to transport contraband, drugs, or dangerous instruments into a prison or detention facility; or operating a drone that causes serious bodily injury to another person. Carve-outs exist for police, sheriffs, corrections, and fire personnel acting in official capacity.
HRS 711-1122Misuse of Uncrewed Aircraft in the Second Degree
Class B felony. Prohibits disabling required Remote ID transmission; disabling, covering, or failing to use required anti-collision lighting; operating a drone that causes substantial bodily injury to another person; or causing more than $20,000 in property damage without the owner's consent.
HRS 711-1123Misuse of Uncrewed Aircraft in the Third Degree
Class C felony. Prohibits tampering with or removing a drone's identification or registration number; using a drone to interfere with police, sheriff, or fire personnel performing their duties; causing bodily injury to another person; causing more than $750 in property damage without the owner's consent; operating a drone while under the influence of an intoxicant; operating a drone after operating privileges have been revoked; or using a drone in furtherance of any felony.
HRS 711-1125Trespass with Unmanned Aircraft
Misdemeanor. Prohibits intentionally flying a drone across someone's property line and bringing it within 50 feet of a dwelling to coerce, intimidate, or harass a person, or after receiving actual notice to stop, for any reason at all. Defenses include consent from someone with authority over the property or operating lawfully under federal regulations. Note: This statute was renumbered from HRS 711-1114 by Act 161 in 2024.
HRS 711-1110.9Violation of Privacy in the First Degree
Class C felony. Prohibits recording or disclosing images of a person in a state of undress or engaged in sexual conduct without consent. Applies to drone surveillance when a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy and the recording is made without their knowledge or consent.
HRS 711-1111Violation of Privacy in the Second Degree
Misdemeanor. Prohibits intentionally peering into a dwelling or using any device (including a drone) to observe or record in a private place without the consent of people entitled to privacy there. Exception exists for recording law enforcement officers performing public duties.
HRS 199-9Unmanned Aircraft System Permit for Fishing
Requires a permit from the Department of Land and Natural Resources for any use of a drone in the taking of aquatic life. Permit costs $100 per year. Violations occur when operating a drone to drop bait, carry fishing line, or otherwise assist in fishing without proper DLNR authorization.
HAR Chapter 13-146State Parks Rules — Unmanned Aircraft Prohibition
Administrative rule of the Department of Land and Natural Resources prohibiting the use, launching, or landing of unmanned aircraft systems or any aircraft from all Hawaii state parks, state beaches, historic parks, recreation areas, forest reserves, and natural area reserves without written approval from DLNR. Applies statewide across all islands and is enforced by DLNR conservation officers (DOCARE).
SB 661 (2015)Hawaii Unmanned Aerial Systems Test Site
Creates a chief operating officer position for the Hawaii unmanned aerial systems test site. Establishes a UAS test site advisory board to plan and oversee test site development and appropriates funds for test site establishment and operations.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
City and County of Honolulu (Oahu)
cityRevised Ordinances of Honolulu § 10-1.2 — Motorized Model Aircraft in Parks
Prohibits operating, launching, or landing motorized model aircraft (including drones) in Honolulu city parks and recreational areas without authorization from Parks and Recreation.
Restrictions
Operators must meet FAA Part 107 requirements and carry valid aviation liability insurance to obtain a permit. Commercial filming or drone operations require coordination with the Hawaii Film Office and proof of insurance naming the State of Hawaii.
Maui County
countyMaui County Code § 13.04.030(C) — County Parks Unmanned Aircraft Prohibition
Prohibits operating, taking off, or landing unmanned aircraft systems in Maui County parks without written permission of the parks director.
Restrictions
Any UAS operation in county parks requires written authorization from Maui County Parks and Recreation director. Exception only where operation is authorized by federal law and in compliance with FAA regulations.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Misuse of Uncrewed Aircraft in the First Degree (arming drone with weapon, interfering with manned aircraft, prison contraband, serious bodily injury) | Class A Felony | Not specified in statute | Determined by Hawaii sentencing guidelines | County prosecutors (after investigation by county police or DLNR); federal charges possible for certain conduct | Carve-outs exist for law enforcement, sheriffs, corrections, and fire personnel acting in official capacity |
| Misuse of Uncrewed Aircraft in the Second Degree (disabling Remote ID, failing anti-collision lighting, substantial injury, damage over $20,000) | Class B Felony | Not specified in statute | Determined by Hawaii sentencing guidelines | County prosecutors; FAA for federal violations | Disabling Remote ID or anti-collision lighting is an independent Class B felony violation |
| Misuse of Uncrewed Aircraft in the Third Degree (tampering with registration, obstructing law enforcement, bodily injury, damage over $750, operating impaired, operating after revocation, furthering felony) | Class C Felony | Up to $10,000 | Up to 5 years | County prosecutors; local police | Includes broad category of conduct that furthers any felony |
| Trespass with Unmanned Aircraft (within 50 feet of dwelling to harass, intimidate, or after notice to desist) | Misdemeanor | Up to $2,000 | Up to 1 year | County prosecutors; county police | Requires intentional conduct; 50-foot buffer is key distance threshold |
| Violation of Privacy in the First Degree (recording nude person or sexual act via drone) | Class C Felony | Up to $10,000 | Up to 5 years | County prosecutors; local police | Drone recording of intimate content is felony-level crime; recording itself serves as evidence |
| Violation of Privacy in the Second Degree (using device including drone to observe in private place) | Misdemeanor | Up to $2,000 | Up to 1 year | County prosecutors; local police | Applies to drone surveillance of private property; civil liability also possible |
| Operating drone in state park, beach, forest reserve, or natural area reserve without written DLNR approval | Administrative Violation | Not specified; administrative fine may apply | Not applicable | DLNR DOCARE (Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement) | Drone subject to confiscation; applies statewide to all DLNR-managed lands |
| Operating drone in Honolulu city park without permit | Municipal Violation | Not specified in sources | Not applicable | Honolulu Parks and Recreation; Honolulu Police Department | Permits issued to FAA Part 107 pilots with valid aviation insurance |
| Operating drone in Maui County park without parks director authorization | Municipal Violation | Not specified in sources | Not applicable | Maui County Parks and Recreation | Written permission from parks director required |
| Drone fishing without DLNR permit (HRS 199-9) | Administrative/Regulatory Violation | Not specified in statute | Not applicable | DLNR; county police | Annual permit required; costs $100/year; applies to any drone use in aquatic life taking |
| Operating drone in National Park Service unit (Haleakala, Hawaii Volcanoes, etc.) | Federal Petty Offense | Up to $5,000 | Up to 6 months | National Park Service rangers; federal court | Blanket NPS ban under 36 CFR § 1.5 and NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05; violations filed in federal court |
| Approaching humpback whale within 100 yards by drone (Marine Mammal Protection Act) | Federal Civil/Criminal Violation | Up to $27,500 (civil); up to $100,000 (criminal) | Up to 1 year (criminal) | NOAA Fisheries | Applies November through May (whale season); 1,000-foot approach required by air; applies to all Hawaiian waters year-round for enforcement |
Misuse of Uncrewed Aircraft in the First Degree (arming drone with weapon, interfering with manned aircraft, prison contraband, serious bodily injury)
Carve-outs exist for law enforcement, sheriffs, corrections, and fire personnel acting in official capacity
Misuse of Uncrewed Aircraft in the Second Degree (disabling Remote ID, failing anti-collision lighting, substantial injury, damage over $20,000)
Disabling Remote ID or anti-collision lighting is an independent Class B felony violation
Misuse of Uncrewed Aircraft in the Third Degree (tampering with registration, obstructing law enforcement, bodily injury, damage over $750, operating impaired, operating after revocation, furthering felony)
Includes broad category of conduct that furthers any felony
Trespass with Unmanned Aircraft (within 50 feet of dwelling to harass, intimidate, or after notice to desist)
Requires intentional conduct; 50-foot buffer is key distance threshold
Violation of Privacy in the First Degree (recording nude person or sexual act via drone)
Drone recording of intimate content is felony-level crime; recording itself serves as evidence
Violation of Privacy in the Second Degree (using device including drone to observe in private place)
Applies to drone surveillance of private property; civil liability also possible
Operating drone in state park, beach, forest reserve, or natural area reserve without written DLNR approval
Drone subject to confiscation; applies statewide to all DLNR-managed lands
Operating drone in Honolulu city park without permit
Permits issued to FAA Part 107 pilots with valid aviation insurance
Operating drone in Maui County park without parks director authorization
Written permission from parks director required
Drone fishing without DLNR permit (HRS 199-9)
Annual permit required; costs $100/year; applies to any drone use in aquatic life taking
Operating drone in National Park Service unit (Haleakala, Hawaii Volcanoes, etc.)
Blanket NPS ban under 36 CFR § 1.5 and NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05; violations filed in federal court
Approaching humpback whale within 100 yards by drone (Marine Mammal Protection Act)
Applies November through May (whale season); 1,000-foot approach required by air; applies to all Hawaiian waters year-round for enforcement
Registration, Fees & Taxes
Hawaii imposes state-level registration, licensing, insurance, or fee requirements
Commercial operators: budget for the state fees below before operating here. Federal FAA registration is still required separately.
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Commercial License
Not Required
Sales Tax on Drones
Does Not Apply
- Other Fees
- DLNR Drone Fishing Permit — $100/yearAnnual permit required from Department of Land and Natural Resources for any use of drone in taking aquatic life under HRS 199-9
- Hawaii Film Office Permit — Varies by projectPermit required for commercial drone filming on state property; pricing varies by location, scope, and duration
- General Excise Tax (GET) License — Varies by revenueStandard Hawaii business tax (not drone-specific) required for all commercial drone operations; rates apply to gross revenue
- County Parks Permit (Honolulu) — VariesPermit required for drone operations in Honolulu city parks; issued by Parks and Recreation for FAA Part 107 pilots with valid aviation insurance
- County Parks Permit (Maui County) — VariesWritten authorization from Maui County parks director required for any county park operations
Hawaii does not require state-level drone registration beyond FAA requirements. All drones over 250 grams must be registered with the FAA ($5 for 3 years). Hawaii does not issue a separate state pilot license for recreational or commercial operators; FAA Part 107 (commercial) and TRUST (recreational) satisfy all state licensing requirements. No state insurance mandate for drone operations.
Location-specific permits required: (1) DLNR special-use permits for all state parks, beaches, forest reserves, and natural area reserves statewide; (2) Hawaii Film Office permits for commercial filming on state property; (3) County parks permits from respective county parks departments (Honolulu, Maui County, etc.). No blanket state permit system; each location/use case requires separate authorization.
Not mandated by state law. Commercial operators typically carry $1 million minimum liability insurance per standard client contracts and for operations near public areas or over water.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Remote ID Compliance
Remote ID broadcast has been mandatory for all registered drones since March 16, 2024.
Hawaii drone pilots must have active Remote ID broadcasting at all times while flying or operate within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Disabling or failing to run Remote ID transmission is independently charged as a Class B felony under HRS 711-1122. Anti-collision lighting must be visible for at least 3 statute miles and is required for night operations.
Marine Mammal Protection Act Compliance
Federal law prohibits approaching humpback whales within 100 yards (on water) or 1,000 feet (by aircraft including drones) year-round.
Drones constitute 'aircraft' under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Civil penalties reach $27,500; criminal penalties up to $100,000 plus one year imprisonment. Whale season (November through May) concentrates humpback populations in Hawaiian waters, but the 1,000-foot setback applies year-round in all directions including altitude. NOAA Fisheries actively monitors and enforces.
National Park Service Drone Ban
NPS has banned launching, landing, and operating drones from or on all National Park Service lands since 2014 under 36 CFR § 1.5 and NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05.
Haleakala National Park and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park enforce the blanket ban with ranger patrols. Violations are federal offenses carrying up to 6 months imprisonment and $5,000 fines. The airspace above park boundaries is federally controlled by the FAA, but volcanic activity often triggers FAA TFRs restricting that airspace as well.
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
Active volcanic eruptions on Hawaii Island trigger FAA TFRs that close designated airspace above eruption zones to non-authorized aircraft.
During volcanic activity (e.g., 2018 Kīlauea), only USGS, Hawaiian Electric, and other authorized agencies may operate. Recreational and commercial drones are prohibited. TFRs are updated via NOTAM and visible in real-time via B4UFLY app and FAA UAS Facility Maps.
Controlled Airspace LAANC Authorization
FAA Part 107 and recreational pilots must obtain LAANC approval before flying in Class B, C, D, and surface Class E airspace around Hawaii's commercial airports.
HNL (Class B) has very restrictive altitude ceilings due to high traffic volume and proximity to downtown Honolulu and Waikiki—often 200 feet or lower in certain zones. LAANC allows near-real-time approval for flights under 400 feet in designated airspace. Denials are possible if airspace is restricted for manned traffic.
FAA Part 107 Commercial Operations
Commercial drone operators must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate obtained by passing the FAA's Aeronautical Knowledge Test ($175 test fee).
Part 107 certificate is valid for 24 months before recertification required. No Hawaii state-level commercial drone license exists; Part 107 is the only commercial authorization required. However, additional permits (DLNR, Hawaii Film Office, county parks) may be required depending on location and use. Minimum $1M liability insurance typically required by clients.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Hawaii has not enacted a drone-specific critical infrastructure statute as of this writing. Pilots remain subject to general state laws on trespass, voyeurism, privacy, and reckless endangerment, and to all federal regulations including FAA Part 107.
Read the federal preemption guide →Airspace & LAANC
LAANC Coverage
LAANC available at four commercial airports: Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL) on Oahu, Kahului (OGG) on Maui, Kona International (KOA) on Big Island, Lihue (LIH) on Kauai, and Hilo International (ITO) on Big Island. HNL (Class B) has very restrictive altitude ceilings over downtown Honolulu and Waikiki—often below 200 feet in some zones. Remote ID mandatory since March 16, 2024; anti-collision lighting required for operations.
Major Airports
HNL — Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu, Oahu) — Class BOGG — Kahului Airport (Maui) — Class CKOA — Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (Big Island) — Class DITO — Hilo International Airport (Big Island) — Class DLIH — Lihue Airport (Kauai) — Class D
TFR Notice
Volcanic eruption TFRs on Hawaii Island active during eruption events (e.g., 2018 Kīlauea). Military restricted zones on Oahu: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (Class D + restricted), Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay), Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, Tripler Army Medical Center, Bellows Air Force Station. Navy vessel protection zones: 3,000 feet lateral, 1,000 feet vertical from any naval ship. Check B4UFLY for active TFRs before every flight.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Travis Sanders Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Conviction
enforcementTravis Sanders convicted of flying a micro drone over Halema'uma'u Crater lava lake at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park despite ranger orders to stop. Sanders fled toward caldera edge; ranger deployed taser. Two-day non-jury trial in Hilo resulted in $1,000 fine and one-year park ban. Case demonstrates active enforcement of NPS drone ban.
Kīlauea East Rift Zone Eruption Drone Citation
enforcementDLNR conservation enforcement officer (DOCARE) cited a 38-year-old visitor from San Jose for flying a drone over Kīlauea lava flow during May 2018 eruption. Area was inside temporary flight restriction (TFR); only USGS, Hawaiian Electric, and University of Hawaii at Hilo were authorized. Case referred to FAA for TFR violation. Illustrates enforcement of state and federal restrictions over sensitive areas.
Pending Legislation
HB1347Carried over to 2026 Regular SessionRelating To Fishing — Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle Permit System
Would establish a permitting system within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the taking of aquatic life, repealing the existing prohibition under HRS 199-9. This bill would replace the current blanket prohibition with a structured permit framework (similar to the $100/year permit currently required) for drone fishing operations.
Last action: December 8, 2025
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | UH Manoa requires prior authorization from the Office of Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management (EHSO) before any drone operations on campus property. All flights must comply with Hawaii state drone laws, FAA regulations, and university safety protocols. Restrictions: Authorization must be obtained from EHSO before flight. All pilots must possess current FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) for commercial work or TRUST certificate for recreational use. No flights over buildings, crowds, or campus events without additional safety approval. Strict compliance with Hawaii state laws and criminal statutes mandatory. | Yes | Office of Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management, University of Hawaii at Manoa |
Last Updated
This page is automatically verified and updated weekly by our AI-powered legal research agent (v1.0.0). While we strive for accuracy, always verify critical information with official state sources.
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