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Drone Authority
Aerial landscape representing Hawaii drone airspaceSTATE · HAWAII

Drone laws by state

Hawaii drone laws

Federal FAA rules apply throughout Hawaii. The state has studied and piloted drone-integration programs; everyday flying follows the federal floor plus state-land and local rules, which are significant given Hawaii's parks and protected areas.

All statesLocal rules may apply (unverified)

The federal rules apply everywhere

No matter the state, the FAA owns the airspace. Start here, then add Hawaii's rules on top.

  • Register drones 250 g or heavier (and any commercial drone) at FAADroneZone.
  • Broadcast Remote ID if your drone must be registered.
  • Stay at or below 400 ft AGL and within visual line of sight.
  • Get LAANC authorization before flying in controlled airspace near airports.
  • No takeoff/landing in national parks, over critical infrastructure, or in TFRs.

What's specific to Hawaii

  • We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.

  • State parks and many protected natural areas in Hawaii restrict drones; verify with the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the specific area.

  • State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying.

Local preemption: Local rules may apply (unverified)

We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture; assume local rules may apply and verify before flying.

Official source

Always confirm against the primary source; state laws change and rules differ by locality and by park.

Hawaii drone-law source

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License rules are federal and the same in every state. Answer two questions to find out what you need.

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Rules current as of June 2026; verify with the FAA (faa.gov/uas) and your state before flying. Educational, not legal advice.