Hawaii Hunting Laws

What makes land legally posted in Hawaii?

Unfenced, unimproved land is legally posted with signs reading "Private Property - No Trespassing" (or similar) in letters at least 2 inches tall, placed at least 3 signs per mile along the boundary and at roads and trails entering the land, clearly visible from outside. Fenced or enclosed land needs no signs. For hunting, posting doesn't matter: you need permission to hunt any private land.

Hunting without permission is a separate offense under HRS § 183D-26.

Source: HRS § 708-814(1)(c) · official source

Does Hawaii have a purple paint law?

No. Hawaii's trespass statute names only two ways to give notice on unimproved land: fencing or enclosing it, or displaying signs with the required wording. It contains no provision for paint marks, so purple paint alone does not meet it.

Source: HRS § 708-814(1)(c) · official source

Do you need written permission to hunt private land in Hawaii?

You must get permission from the owner (or the occupant or holder, or their agent) before entering private land to hunt or take any wildlife. The statute does not require the permission to be in writing.

Prosecution requires a sworn complaint from the owner, occupier, holder or their agent.

Source: HRS § 183D-26 · official source

What is the penalty for hunting trespass in Hawaii?

Hunting on private agricultural land without permission (or at night on private land) is a class C felony with a mandatory minimum of 180 days in jail on a first offense, and gear including firearms, dogs and vehicles can be forfeited. Anyone convicted of a game-law violation immediately forfeits their hunting license, and a second conviction bars a license for 3 years.

A repeat offense within 10 years carries a mandatory minimum of 1 year. DLNR can also impose administrative fines up to $10,000 for a first violation (HRS § 183D-12).

Source: HRS §§ 183D-26, 183D-5(d), 183D-5(g) · official source

How close to a house can you hunt in Hawaii?

Hawaii has no single statewide distance; safety zones are designated for each public hunting area, and you may not hunt, carry a loaded firearm or bow, or shoot within or across one. On Kauai the zone includes all land within 50 yards of an inhabited building; on the island of Hawaii it is 50 yards from any paved road or building, for firearms and archery.

Zones differ by island and unit and can be posted or announced by DLNR. Source is DLNR's unofficial compilation of HAR ch. 13-123.

Source: HAR §§ 13-123-21, 13-123-22(5) · official source

Can you hunt from or near a road in Hawaii?

Hawaii's road rules are set per public hunting area: for example, land within 50 yards of a paved public highway is a safety zone on Kauai, and on the island of Hawaii the zone is 50 yards from any paved road. You must fully unload your firearm before crossing or entering a public highway.

Shooting from any vehicle or carrier is prohibited except by disabled hunters with a permit (HAR § 13-123-22(4)(D)).

Source: HAR §§ 13-123-21, 13-123-22(2)(H) · official source

What are legal shooting hours in Hawaii?

Game mammal hunting is allowed from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset unless a rule specifies otherwise.

Source: HAR § 13-123-6 · official source

What are the blaze orange requirements in Hawaii?

In public hunting areas where firearms are allowed, hunters, guides and assistants must wear an exterior shirt, vest, jacket or coat of commercially made solid blaze orange (or orange mesh no larger than 1/8 inch). If you carry game or a backpack, orange must be visible from front and back.

Camouflage orange is prohibited. No square-inch minimum is set. Non-hunters accompanying hunters must also wear an orange outer garment.

Source: HAR § 13-123-22(7)(A)-(B) · official source

Is night hunting legal in Hawaii?

You may not take or pursue any game or wild bird or mammal at night on private land (from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise) unless DLNR authorizes it. Game mammals may not be hunted with artificial light, except optical sights during legal hours.

Night hunting on private agricultural land is a class C felony (HRS § 183D-5(d)).

Source: HRS § 183D-27; HAR § 13-123-7 · official source

Do you need a hunting license to hunt your own land in Hawaii?

No. Hawaii requires a hunting license to hunt any game bird or mammal, and the only statutory exception is for people the board authorizes in writing to remove game that damages forests or agriculture or is a nuisance or health hazard.

Source: HRS § 183D-21 · official source

Who needs hunter education in Hawaii?

You need a Hawaii hunter education certificate (or an approved course from another state or country) to get a hunting license if you were born after December 31, 1971, or if you were born earlier and have never held a Hawaii hunting license. Certificates are issued to graduates at least 10 years old.

Those born before 1/1/1972 who once held a Hawaii hunting license are exempt with proof. The 10-year minimum age for a certificate is in HAR § 13-123-22(1)(E).

Source: HRS § 183D-28 · official source

Is Sunday hunting legal in Hawaii?

Yes. Hunting is allowed on Sundays in Hawaii; in fact many public hunting units are open only on weekends and state holidays. Open days are set unit by unit: for the 2025-26 game bird season, for example, DLNR opened many units on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and state holidays.

Check the hunting unit's open days before you go; days differ by island, unit, species and weapon.

Source: DLNR/DOFAW 2025-2026 Game Bird Hunting Season Announcement; HAR ch. 13-123 · official source

Can you use a crossbow during archery season in Hawaii?

Crossbows are not allowed in public hunting areas except for disabled hunters with a valid permit.

Applies to game mammal hunting in public hunting areas.

Source: HAR § 13-123-22(2)(J) · official source

Is a landowner liable if someone gets hurt hunting on their land in Hawaii?

Hawaii landowners who let people hunt or recreate on their land for free owe no duty to keep it safe or warn of dangers and are not liable for injuries those users cause or suffer. Protection is lost for willful or malicious failure to warn of a known danger, or if the owner charges for access.

Hunting is listed as a recreational purpose (HRS § 520-2). Lease payments from the State or a county are not a charge; house guests are not covered.

Source: HRS §§ 520-3, 520-4, 520-5 · official source