Hawaii Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Hawaii maintains one of the most restrictive drone regulatory environments in the United States. State law criminalizes drone-based surveillance and recording as felonies, bans all drones from state parks, restricts extensive military airspace, and enforces strict marine mammal protections. The combination of harsh privacy statutes, blanket state park prohibitions, and dense military airspace makes lawful drone operation exceptionally challenging.
State Drone Laws
HRS 711-1110.9Recording Person in Private Setting with Drone
Criminalizes recording a person in a private setting with a drone where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. This is one of the nation's harshest privacy statutes, elevating the violation to felony level.
HRS 711-1114Unmanned Aerial System Trespass
Enacted under Act 58 (2023). Prohibits operating a drone within 50 feet of a dwelling with intent to harass, intimidate, or surveil after receiving notice to stop.
HRS 199-9Drone Fishing Permit Requirements
Requires a permit from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to use drones for fishing or dropping bait. Permits cost $100 per year. Operating without a permit is a violation.
Senate Bill 2065Prohibition on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in State Marine Waters
Prohibits possession or use of unmanned aerial vehicles on, in, or near state marine waters with the purpose of taking aquatic life. Exceptions may be granted upon permit from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Senate Bill 661Hawaii Unmanned Aerial Systems Test Site Establishment
Establishes a chief operating officer position for the Hawaii unmanned aerial systems test site and creates an unmanned aerial systems test site advisory board to plan and oversee test site development. Appropriates funds for establishment.
Hawaii State Park Rules (DLNR Admin Code)Prohibition of Drones and Aircraft in State Parks
Blanket prohibition on the use, launching, or landing of drones or other aircraft within any of Hawaii's state parks, including Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Coast, Iao Valley, and all other state park properties statewide.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Honolulu
cityDrone Launch/Landing Restrictions on City Property
Restricts launching and landing of drones on Honolulu city-owned property without prior authorization from appropriate city department.
Restrictions
Authorization required; no unauthorized launches or landings on city property
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recording person in private setting with drone (HRS 711-1110.9) | Class C Felony | Up to $10,000 | Up to 5 years | Hawaii Police Department / State Prosecutors | One of harshest privacy statutes in US; creates permanent criminal record; same classification as theft in second degree or assault in third degree |
| UAS trespass within 50 feet of dwelling (HRS 711-1114) | Misdemeanor | Up to $2,000 | Up to 1 year | Hawaii Police Department / Local Law Enforcement | Applies after notice to stop; requires intent to harass, intimidate, or surveil |
| Drone fishing without DLNR permit (HRS 199-9) | Violation/Citation | Subject to DLNR enforcement schedule | None | Department of Land and Natural Resources | Annual permit costs $100; active enforcement at popular shoreline spots |
| Flying drone in Hawaii state parks | Violation/Citation | Subject to DLNR enforcement schedule | None | Department of Land and Natural Resources / Park Rangers | Blanket ban across all state parks; drone confiscation possible |
| FAA registration violation (federal) | Civil and Criminal | $27,500 civil; up to $250,000 criminal | Potentially applicable for criminal violations | Federal Aviation Administration | Required for all drones over 250g; $5 for 3 years |
| Remote ID violation (federal) | Civil | Up to $27,500 | None | Federal Aviation Administration | Mandatory since March 2024; applies to all registered drones |
| FAA Part 107 commercial violation (federal) | Civil | Up to $32,666 per violation | None | Federal Aviation Administration | Applies to commercial operations without proper certification |
Recording person in private setting with drone (HRS 711-1110.9)
One of harshest privacy statutes in US; creates permanent criminal record; same classification as theft in second degree or assault in third degree
UAS trespass within 50 feet of dwelling (HRS 711-1114)
Applies after notice to stop; requires intent to harass, intimidate, or surveil
Drone fishing without DLNR permit (HRS 199-9)
Annual permit costs $100; active enforcement at popular shoreline spots
Flying drone in Hawaii state parks
Blanket ban across all state parks; drone confiscation possible
FAA registration violation (federal)
Required for all drones over 250g; $5 for 3 years
Remote ID violation (federal)
Mandatory since March 2024; applies to all registered drones
FAA Part 107 commercial violation (federal)
Applies to commercial operations without proper certification
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Hawaii does not require separate state-level drone registration. Federal FAA registration is required for all drones over 250g ($5 for 3 years). No state-specific registration system exists.
Special permits required for: (1) Drone fishing — $100/year DLNR permit under HRS 199-9; (2) Commercial filming on state property — Hawaii Film Office permit required with proof of insurance and Part 107 certificate; (3) Operations in/near marine waters during whale season — NOAA compliance required (100-yard minimum distance from humpback whales November-May).
Not mandated by state law, but strongly recommended. Commercial clients typically require $1 million drone liability coverage. Higher premiums may apply for ocean and challenging terrain operations.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) — Humpback Whale Restrictions
NOAA enforces strict federal protections for humpback whales during breeding season in Hawaiian waters
November through May, federal law requires minimum 100-yard (300-foot) approach distance from humpback whales in all directions including altitude. Drones are explicitly considered an approach under MMPA. Civil penalties reach $27,500 per violation; criminal penalties up to $100,000 plus one year prison. NOAA actively monitors and has issued fines for drone footage of whales. Flying a drone 200 feet above a whale violates the 100-yard zone.
National Park Service Overflight Regulations
Federal ban on drone operations in national parks
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park enforce strict NPS drone bans with active ranger patrols. FAA recommends 2,000-foot altitude minimum over National Marine Sanctuaries and wildlife refuges, effectively prohibiting recreational drone flight in most scenic areas.
FAA Part 107 Commercial Operations Requirements
Federal certification and permitting requirements for commercial drone pilots
Requires FAA Remote Pilot Certificate ($175 test fee, 24-month validity). For operations on state property: Hawaii Film Office permit needed with proof of insurance and Part 107 certificate; processing takes 2+ weeks. All commercial activity requires Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license. Most clients require $1 million liability insurance.
Remote ID Compliance (Effective March 2024)
Mandatory broadcast of Remote ID information on all registered drones
Required for both recreational and commercial operations on all registered drones. Violations subject to FAA civil penalties up to $27,500. Applies nationwide including Hawaii.
FAA Recreational Drone Rules (49 USC 44809)
Federal baseline requirements for recreational drone operations
Mandatory TRUST test passage, 400-foot AGL altitude limit, visual line-of-sight requirement, anti-collision lighting for night flights. Hawaii state laws are more restrictive on top of these federal requirements and cannot override federal minimums.
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 major airports (HNL, OGG, KOA, LIH). Coverage limited in military restricted zones. B4UFLY app provides real-time airspace status.
Major Airports
HNL — Honolulu International Airport (Class B, major hub)OGG — Kahului Airport, MauiKOA — Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, Big IslandLIH — Lihue Airport, Kauai
TFR Notice
Permanent and temporary TFRs frequently issued. Military restricted airspace on Oahu: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (Class D+), Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, Wheeler Army Airfield, Schofield Barracks, Tripler Army Medical Center, Bellows Air Force Station. Navy vessels enforce automatic 3,000-foot lateral and 1,000-foot vertical protection zones. Multiple military bases create overlapping restricted zones making Oahu the most restrictive Hawaiian island.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Travis Sanders Arrest and Conviction at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
enforcementTravis Sanders was convicted for flying a micro drone over Halema'uma'u Crater lava lake at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in April 2015. When a ranger ordered him to stop, Sanders fled toward the caldera edge. The ranger used a taser to stop him. Sanders was convicted after a two-day non-jury trial in Hilo in February 2016, receiving a $1,000 fine and one-year park ban. Case demonstrates serious enforcement of drone restrictions in protected areas.
Pending Legislation
HB1347Carried over to 2026 Regular SessionRelating to Fishing — Drone Permitting System
Would establish a permitting system within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for use of unmanned aerial vehicles in taking aquatic life. Repeals current prohibition on use of UAVs for taking aquatic life and provides implementation timeline for new permit system.
Last action: December 8, 2025
SB512In CommitteeRelating to Firefighting — Statewide Firefighting Helicopter Program
Requires State Fire Marshal to establish Statewide Firefighting Helicopter Program. Would appropriate funds for helicopters, facilities, equipment, drones, and supplies for aerial firefighting services beginning 7/1/2026. Mentions drones as part of state firefighting infrastructure.
Last action: December 8, 2025
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | UH Manoa requires prior written authorization from the Office of Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management before any drone or unmanned aerial system operations on campus property. Restrictions: Authorization from EHSRM mandatory before flight. All operations must comply with Hawaii state drone laws (HRS 711-1110.9, HRS 711-1114, HRS 199-9) and FAA regulations. No flights permitted without prior approval. | Yes | Office of Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management — manoa.hawaii.edu/ovcafo/ehso/ |
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.
Stay Compliant
Stay Compliant. Stay Organized.
Now that you know Hawaii's drone laws, let PilotLedger help you stay on top of compliance. Manage your quotes, invoices, clients, and run your drone business from one platform.