All State Regulations

    Beekeeping Laws & Regulations in Hawaii

    Everything you need to know about legally keeping bees in Hawaii - from state registration to city-specific ordinances.

    Last updated: · Verified against official sources

    No — Hawaii does not require you to register your hives with the state.

    Hawaii has no statewide hive limit. See the exact hive limits, setbacks, and city ordinances for 2026 below.

    Last updated

    Key Facts - Hawaii Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    No - not required statewide

    Residential Hive Limits

    Hawaii has no statewide hive limit.

    State Agency

    Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Apiary Program

    State Registration Requirements

    Hawaii does not require hobby beekeepers to register. Under HRS 142-100, beekeepers may register voluntarily with the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity by providing their name, address, contact information, and details about their operation; a registration is good for one year and must then be renewed. The department keeps registration information confidential, subject to the state public records law, and uses it to compile statistics on the industry. Registered beekeepers can get free technical help and alerts about pests and diseases from the Apiary Program, which can be reached at (808) 974-4138. Queen breeders who export must pass Apiary Program inspections to get shipping certificates.

    Registration Fees

    Check with the DAB Apiary Program for current fees.

    Visit the DAB apiary program

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    Hawaii has no statewide hive limit. Counties set their own rules: Honolulu allows up to eight hives per zoning lot, and Hawaii County allows up to 15 hives on lots under 20,000 square feet. Kauai and Maui counties handle beekeeping through their zoning codes, which may require a permit in residential zones.

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

    No statewide limit. Beekeeping is generally allowed on agriculturally zoned land; check your county's zoning code for any conditions.

    Setback Requirements

    Hawaii has no statewide setback for hives. Setbacks come from county codes. In Honolulu, hives must be at least 25 feet from any property line, public street, sidewalk, or alley unless they sit behind a solid fence or hedge at least 6 feet tall or are at least 8 feet above ground. In Hawaii County, apiaries must be at least 25 feet from any property line, or 15 feet behind a flyover barrier.

    City-Specific Regulations

    Honolulu

    Hive Limits

    No more than eight honeybee hives per zoning lot, kept in movable-frame hives (ROH § 12-2.5(b)).

    Setbacks

    Hives may not be within 25 feet of any property line, public street, sidewalk, or alley. There are two exceptions: hives placed behind a solid fence or hedge at least 6 feet tall that runs parallel to the property line and extends at least 15 feet past the hive in both directions, or hives placed at least 8 feet above the adjacent ground.

    Notes

    Hives must also be shaded from night lighting on adjoining properties. The rules are enforced as animal nuisance provisions, and stinging a person is defined as an animal nuisance. Commercial beekeeping is treated as an agricultural use in agricultural and country zoning districts. Varroa mites and small hive beetles are both present on Oahu.

    Honolulu ordinance

    Hilo

    Hive Limits

    Hilo follows Hawaii County rules. Apiaries are limited to 15 hives on lots under 20,000 square feet unless the planning director grants an exemption.

    Setbacks

    Apiaries must be at least 25 feet from any property line, or at least 15 feet if placed behind a flyover barrier (a solid wall, fence, dense vegetation, or a combination).

    Notes

    Since September 2024, apiaries have been allowed in all Hawaii County zoning districts, including residential districts and the downtown Hilo commercial district. The county's management practices call for fresh water on site, hives shielded from bright night lights, swarm prevention, and requeening aggressive colonies. Nuisance complaints go to the State Department of Health's vector control branch. Varroa mites are present on Hawaii Island.

    Hilo ordinance

    Kailua-Kona

    Hive Limits

    Kailua-Kona follows Hawaii County rules. Apiaries are limited to 15 hives on lots under 20,000 square feet unless the planning director grants an exemption.

    Setbacks

    Apiaries must be at least 25 feet from any property line, or at least 15 feet if placed behind a flyover barrier.

    Notes

    The same countywide ordinance applies across Hawaii Island. Hawaii has commercial queen breeders who export queens, and the DAB Apiary Program inspects queen breeders quarterly before issuing shipping certificates.

    Kailua-Kona ordinance

    Key Laws & Statutes

    Beekeepers, registration; apiary program

    Hawaii Revised Statutes § 142-100

    Allows beekeepers to register voluntarily with the Department of Agriculture on department forms. Registrations last one year and must be renewed, and registrant information is kept confidential subject to the state public records law.

    Importation of honey bees and used bee equipment

    Hawaii Revised Statutes § 150A-6

    Prohibits bringing live or dead honey bees, or used bee equipment, into Hawaii unless the department has certified them free of pests. Honey bee semen may be imported. The Apiary Program says illegal importation can be a class C felony with penalties of up to $200,000 under HRS 150A-14.

    Home-based agricultural producer of honey; exemption

    Hawaii Revised Statutes § 328-79

    Lets home-based honey producers who sell less than 500 gallons a year directly to consumers, or to retailers who sell directly to consumers, skip the certified honey house and Department of Health permit requirements. To qualify, they must follow specific labeling rules, pass a Department of Health food safety course, and keep records.

    Honolulu animal nuisance rules for honeybees

    Revised Ordinances of Honolulu § 12-2.5(b) (formerly § 7-2.5)

    Limits hives to eight per zoning lot on Oahu. Colonies must be kept in movable-frame hives, shaded from night lighting on neighboring properties, and set back 25 feet from property lines, streets, sidewalks, and alleys unless screened by a 6-foot barrier or raised at least 8 feet.

    Hawaii County apiaries and beekeeping ordinance

    Hawaii County Bill 144 (Draft 2), amending Hawaii County Code Chapters 4 and 25; effective September 20, 2024

    Allows apiaries in residential, agricultural, commercial, resort, industrial, and open zoning districts on Hawaii Island. It caps apiaries at 15 hives on lots under 20,000 square feet unless the planning director grants an exemption, and it sets a 25-foot setback from property lines, or 15 feet behind a flyover barrier. It also lists generally accepted apiary management practices.

    Selling Honey in Hawaii

    Under HRS 328-79, a home-based honey producer does not need a certified honey house or a Department of Health permit if they sell less than 500 gallons of honey a year, directly to consumers or to retail stores that sell directly to consumers. Each container must show the producer's name and address, the net weight and volume, and the date the honey was produced. Labels must also carry two statements in clear print: "Honey should not be consumed by infants under one year of age" and "This product is home-produced and processed and has not been inspected by the Department of Health." The producer must also pass a Department of Health-approved food safety workshop and exam and keep production and distribution records for at least two years. Producers who don't meet these conditions need a Department of Health permit, and a consumer complaint can lead to sampling and an inspection.

    Official Hawaii guidance
    Price your honey for HawaiiList your honey free

    Hawaii Beekeeping Association

    Hawai'i Beekeepers' Association

    The Hawai'i Beekeepers' Association is based on Oahu. Its mission is to assist and educate beekeepers, protect beekeepers' rights, encourage beekeeping as a hobby and an industry, promote natural beekeeping methods, and build a positive public image of bees and beekeeping. Beekeepers on other islands can also look to island groups such as the Big Island Beekeepers Association.

    Visit Hawai'i Beekeepers' Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    Hawaii's tropical climate is unique in U.S. beekeeping. There is no winter dormancy: colonies stay active and raise brood year-round, so on islands where varroa mites and small hive beetles are established, the pests keep reproducing through the whole year. Plan for year-round inspections, swarm management, and pest monitoring, and rotate varroa treatments to limit resistance. Hurricanes and tropical storms are a risk during hurricane season, so strap or weigh down hives before storms. Varroa has not been found on Kauai, Maui, or Molokai, and following the state's rules on moving bees and equipment helps keep it that way.

    See the month-by-month Hawaii beekeeping calendar

    Tips for Hawaii Beekeepers

    • Never bring live bees, queens, or used beekeeping equipment into Hawaii without Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity certification. Illegal importation can be a class C felony with penalties of up to $200,000.
    • Don't ship bees or used equipment between islands until the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity has inspected and certified them. This helps keep varroa off Kauai, Maui, and Molokai.
    • Consider registering with the DAB Apiary Program. It's voluntary, and it lets the program send you pest and disease alerts and offer free technical help.
    • Small hive beetles have been found on all of the main islands, including Kauai, where they were detected in 2012. Monitor for them wherever you keep bees.
    • Check your county's rules before setting up hives. Honolulu allows eight hives per lot, Hawaii County allows 15 on lots under 20,000 square feet, and Kauai and Maui may require a zoning permit in residential areas.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sources & Official References

    Last checked against these sources on . This page summarizes Hawaii law for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm with DAB and your city or county before setting up hives.

    City ordinances still vary — always confirm with your town after checking state law.

    Other State Regulations

    Hawaii Beekeeping Calendar

    Month-by-month tasks for Hawaii — when to inspect, treat for mites, harvest, and prep for winter.

    View Hawaii Calendar

    Beekeeping Cost Calculator

    Estimate startup costs, ongoing expenses, and potential honey revenue for your beekeeping operation in Hawaii.

    Calculate Costs

    Do You Need a License to Keep Bees?

    Most states require hive registration, not a license. Our guide explains the difference and what Hawaii expects before you start.

    Read the Guide

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