Hawaii Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Hawaii maintains one of the most restrictive drone regulatory regimes in the United States. The state has enacted strict privacy protections including felony-level penalties for drone recording, trespass statutes, comprehensive state park bans, marine mammal protection enforcement, and significant military airspace restrictions. Commercial drone operations require FAA Part 107 certification plus state-specific permits for filming on state property.
State Drone Laws
HRS 711-1110.9Unlawful Recording in Private Settings with Unmanned Aircraft
Prohibits recording a person in a private setting where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy using an unmanned aircraft system. Violation is a Class C felony under Act 58 of 2023.
HRS 711-1114Unmanned Aircraft System Trespass and Harassment
Makes it a misdemeanor to operate a drone within 50 feet of a dwelling with the intent to harass, intimidate, or surveil after being notified to stop. Enacted under Act 58 of 2023.
HRS 199-9Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Fishing Permits
Establishes a permitting system administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the use of drones in taking aquatic life. Prohibits use of drones for fishing purposes without a valid $100 annual permit from DLNR.
DLNR Administrative Rules — Hawaii State ParksProhibition of Unmanned Aircraft in State Parks
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources prohibits the use, launching, or landing of drones or other unmanned aircraft within all Hawaii state parks. No drones are permitted in state parks including Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Coast, Iao Valley, and Hawaii Volcanoes areas.
Marine Mammal Protection Act (Federal, Enforced in Hawaii)Marine Mammal Protection — Whale Approach Distance
Federal law enforced by NOAA in Hawaiian waters requiring a minimum 100-yard (300-foot) approach distance from humpback whales in all directions, including altitude. Applies to drone operations. Enforcement particularly active during whale season (November through May).
SB 2065 (2022)Prohibition of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in State Marine Waters
Prohibits the possession or use of unmanned aerial vehicles on, in, or near state marine waters with the purpose of taking aquatic life. Exceptions can apply upon grant of a permit from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
SB 661 (2015)Hawaii Unmanned Aerial Systems Test Site Operations
Establishes the Hawaii Unmanned Aerial Systems Test Site chief operating officer position to serve on the Pan-Pacific Unmanned Aerial Systems Test Range Complex management team. Creates framework for regulated UAS testing operations.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Honolulu
cityHonolulu Municipal Code — Drone Operations Restriction
Prohibits launching, landing, or operating drones on Honolulu city property without authorization.
Restrictions
Requires prior authorization for any drone operations on city-controlled land and property. City-managed parks and public spaces subject to restrictions.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone recording in private settings (HRS 711-1110.9) | Class C Felony | Up to $10,000 | Up to 5 years | Hawaii State Police / Local Law Enforcement | Treated as serious felony comparable to theft or assault. Permanent criminal record consequences. |
| Drone trespass and harassment (HRS 711-1114) | Misdemeanor | Up to $2,000 | Up to 1 year | Hawaii State Police / Local Law Enforcement | Requires prior notice to cease operations; applies to surveillance or intimidation attempts. |
| Drone fishing without DLNR permit (HRS 199-9) | Violation / Citation | Variable (permit cost $100/year if obtained) | None | Department of Land and Natural Resources | Can be resolved by obtaining proper permit from DLNR. |
| Flying drone in state parks | Misdemeanor / Violation | Up to $1,000+ | Varies by circumstances | DLNR Rangers / State Police | Drone confiscation standard. Travis Sanders case (2016): $1,000 fine and 1-year park ban. |
| Marine Mammal Protection Act violation — whale approach with drone | Federal Violation | Up to $27,500 (civil); up to $100,000 (criminal) | Up to 1 year (criminal) | NOAA / Federal Law Enforcement | 100-yard minimum distance from humpback whales enforced Nov-May. NOAA actively monitors drone activity. |
| Launching/landing on Honolulu city property without authorization | Violation / Citation | Variable | None typically | Honolulu Police Department | Applies to city parks and public property. |
Drone recording in private settings (HRS 711-1110.9)
Treated as serious felony comparable to theft or assault. Permanent criminal record consequences.
Drone trespass and harassment (HRS 711-1114)
Requires prior notice to cease operations; applies to surveillance or intimidation attempts.
Drone fishing without DLNR permit (HRS 199-9)
Can be resolved by obtaining proper permit from DLNR.
Flying drone in state parks
Drone confiscation standard. Travis Sanders case (2016): $1,000 fine and 1-year park ban.
Marine Mammal Protection Act violation — whale approach with drone
100-yard minimum distance from humpback whales enforced Nov-May. NOAA actively monitors drone activity.
Launching/landing on Honolulu city property without authorization
Applies to city parks and public property.
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Hawaii does not require separate state-level drone registration beyond FAA requirements. All drones over 250g must be registered with the FAA ($5 for 3 years). Recreational drones under 250g used for hobby purposes are exempt from FAA registration but must still comply with all Hawaii state laws and flight rules including TRUST certification.
Drone fishing requires a $100/year permit from DLNR. Commercial drone operations on state property require a permit from the Hawaii Film Office. State park access is prohibited with no permit exceptions for recreational or commercial operations.
State does not mandate insurance, but commercial operators typically carry $1 million in drone liability coverage. Some insurers charge higher premiums for ocean or challenging terrain operations.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Remote ID Compliance
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID since March 2024
Every drone registered with the FAA must broadcast Remote ID information. Hawaii drone operators flying registered aircraft must comply. Non-compliance is a federal violation.
Commercial Drone Operations — FAA Part 107
Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for commercial operations
Commercial drone operators in Hawaii must obtain Part 107 certification ($175 test fee, 60 multiple-choice questions). Certificate valid for 24 months before recertification. Hawaii has PSI testing centers on Oahu, Maui, and Big Island.
Recreational Drone Operations — TRUST Test
Recreational operators must pass free Recreational UAS Safety Test
All recreational drone flyers in Hawaii must pass TRUST before flying. Free online test administered by multiple FAA-approved providers. Test questions are correctable to 100% before certification.
Airspace Authorization — LAANC
FAA authorization required for controlled airspace operations
Operators flying in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or surface Class E) need FAA authorization through LAANC (near-real-time requests) or DroneZone (90-day advance coordination). Hawaii has extensive controlled airspace around Honolulu and major airports.
Military Restricted Airspace
Extensive military-restricted zones prohibit civilian drone access
Oahu has six or more military-restricted zones with no civilian drone access including Pearl Harbor, Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base, Wheeler Army Airfield, Schofield Barracks, Tripler Army Medical Center, and Bellows Air Force Station. Navy vessels maintain automatic 3,000 feet lateral and 1,000 feet vertical clearance zones.
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
NOAA enforces federal 100-yard whale protection distance
Humpback whales in Hawaiian waters (November-May) require 100-yard minimum approach distance in all directions, including altitude. NOAA actively monitors drone activity and issues civil fines up to $27,500 per violation and criminal penalties up to $100,000.
National Park Service Drone Bans
Absolute prohibition on drones in all National Parks
National Park Service enforces blanket ban on drone operations in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Haleakala National Park, and other NPS lands. Rangers actively patrol and enforce with criminal penalties.
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 (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) is available at 726 airports nationwide including Hawaiian airports. However, extensive military-restricted airspace on Oahu and other islands limits availability. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, Wheeler Army Airfield, Schofield Barracks, Tripler Army Medical Center, and Bellows Air Force Station create six or more no-civilian-access zones on Oahu. Navy vessels maintain 3,000 feet lateral and 1,000 feet vertical clearance zones.
Major Airports
HNL — Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu, Oahu)OGG — Kahului Airport (Maui)KOA — Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (Hawaii Island)LIH — Lihue Airport (Kauai)
TFR Notice
Frequent Temporary Flight Restrictions over National Parks (Hawaii Volcanoes, Haleakala), military installations, and special events. Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument has FAA-recommended 2,000 feet minimum altitude (effectively prohibitive for consumer drones).
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Travis Sanders National Park Drone Enforcement Case
enforcementTravis Sanders flew a micro drone over Halema'uma'u Crater at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Oahu. A ranger ordered him to stop; Sanders fled toward the caldera edge. Ranger used tasering to stop him. Sanders was convicted in non-jury trial in Hilo in February 2016. Sentenced to $1,000 fine and 1-year ban from the park. Case illustrates serious enforcement of drone restrictions in protected areas.
FAA DETER Program Launch
regulatory changeFAA launches DETER (Detection and Enforcement Toolkit for Enforcement of Remote pilot regulations) program to accelerate enforcement of drone violations with fast-track civil penalty options for first-time offenders trading appeal rights for reduced fines.
Pending Legislation
HB 1347Carried over to 2026 Regular Session (In Committee)Relating To Fishing — Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Permit System
Establishes within the Department of Land and Natural Resources a permitting system for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the taking of aquatic life. Repeals existing prohibition on UAS use in taking aquatic life and replaces with regulated permit program. Provides implementation timeline.
Last action: December 8, 2025
SB 371Passed House (Status 2 — second reading passed)Relating To Property Damage Of Critical Infrastructure Facilities
Establishes criminal property damage offenses for critical infrastructure facilities in first and second degree. Could impact drone operations near critical infrastructure such as power plants, utilities, and communications infrastructure.
Last action: March 19, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | UH Manoa requires authorization from the Office of Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management for any drone operations on campus property. All flights must comply with Hawaii state laws and FAA regulations. Restrictions: Prior authorization required from EHSRM. Must comply with all state and federal drone laws. Campus property restricted without approval. | Yes | Office of Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management (EHSRM) |
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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