You can fly a drone in Hawaii, but most of the scenic public land is off-limits. Pilots follow FAA rules (the free TRUST certificate for fun, Part 107 for paid work), while the state bans drones in state parks and beaches without written approval, national parks ban them outright, and a 2024 law made serious drone misuse a felony.
Do you need a drone license in Hawaii?
Hawaii has no state drone license or registration. FAA rules apply:
- Recreational: pass the free TRUST test. Register with the FAA ($5, 3 years) if your drone weighs 250 g or more.
- Commercial: real estate, tours, weddings and paid content need a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Airspace: Honolulu's airport sits in Class B airspace, and Kahului on Maui is Class C. Military airspace surrounds Pearl Harbor and other bases. Get LAANC authorization where needed and stay at or below 400 ft.
Hawaii state drone laws
Act 161 (2024) added an "uncrewed aircraft" section to the Hawaii penal code with three felony levels. Most cover obviously dangerous acts, such as arming a drone or interfering with a manned aircraft. A few catch ordinary pilots:
- Disabling Remote ID or anti-collision lighting that the FAA requires is a class B felony (HRS 711-1122).
- Tampering with your registration number, flying while intoxicated, or obstructing police or firefighters is a class C felony (HRS 711-1123).
- A person must directly operate the drone at all times (HRS 711-1124).
Trespass (HRS 711-1125): it's a misdemeanor to fly over someone's property and come within 50 ft of a home to harass or intimidate, or to keep doing it after you've been told to stop.
Privacy (HRS 711-1111): recording in a private place without consent, or peering into a home, is a misdemeanor, whether by phone or drone.
Where you can fly in Hawaii
- State parks, beaches and historic parks: the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) prohibits drones without written approval on every island. Forest reserves and natural area reserves also need a permit.
- National parks: banned at Hawaii Volcanoes, Haleakala, Kalaupapa and other NPS sites. See drones at Hawaii Volcanoes.
- County parks: Honolulu city parks allow model aircraft only at designated flying fields such as Sandy Beach Park and Kawainui Regional Park. Maui County has no county drone ordinance, so ask the parks department before launching from a county park. See flying in Maui and Honolulu and Oahu.
- Volcanic activity: eruptions often bring TFRs. Never fly into one.
- Wildlife: don't fly near monk seals, sea turtles, whales or nesting seabirds. Federal and state wildlife laws protect them from disturbance.
Hawaii doesn't preempt county rules, so check the county code before you launch from public land.
Flying over the ocean
Trade winds are strong and steady, and a drone flying downwind can struggle to return. Watch the wind warning in the DJI Fly app, keep a 30% battery reserve, and launch from a spot where you can recover the drone on land.
Before you fly in Hawaii
- Check airspace and TFRs in B4UFLY or Aloft.
- Confirm who owns the land. State, federal and county parks all restrict drones.
- Keep Remote ID and lights on, and your FAA number visible.
- Carry your TRUST certificate or Part 107 card.
A sub-250 g drone such as the DJI Mini 5 Pro is easy to pack for an island trip and needs no recreational registration, but its small size means wind matters more. DLNR permit rules are on the DLNR website.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
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