Yes, beekeeping is legal in Hawaii, but compliance with state and county regulations is mandatory. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) oversees apiary management, while counties impose additional restrictions to mitigate risks like invasive species spread and agricultural conflicts.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in Hawaii
- HDOA Apiary Registration: All beekeepers must register hives annually with the HDOA under Hawaii Revised Statutes §145-14 and pay a $10 fee per apiary. Failure to register risks fines up to $500.
- County-Specific Restrictions: Honolulu County mandates a 50-foot buffer from property lines for hives, while Maui County prohibits beekeeping in residential zones without a conditional use permit. Kauai County requires hives to be elevated 6 feet above ground.
- Disease and Pest Control: Hawaii’s 2026 compliance framework under HAR §4-79 enforces mandatory Varroa mite treatments and inspections. Non-compliance triggers quarantine orders, with violators facing up to $10,000 in penalties.
Additional local ordinances may apply, such as Maui’s 2023 ban on importing non-native bee species to protect indigenous ecosystems. Consult the HDOA’s Hawaii Beekeeping Guidelines (2024) for updated protocols.