East Honolulu's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In East Honolulu, Hawaii, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Dog Leash Laws

East Honolulu dogs must be restrained on leashes no longer than eight feet on public streets, school grounds, and public places under ROH Chapter 7, Article 4, including trails like Koko Head and Kuliouou ridge.

Key details: Max leash length: 8 feet. Code chapter: ROH 7, Art. 4. Park leash rule: ROH 10-1.7. Dangerous dog leash: 6 feet (ROH 7-7.2). Restraint types: Leash, cord, chain.

Off-leash violations are petty misdemeanors with fines, potential impoundment at the Hawaiian Humane Society, and escalating penalties for repeat offenders or dogs that cause injury.

Chickens & Livestock

East Honolulu homeowners in Hawaii Kai and Aina Haina may keep no more than two hens under ROH 7-2.4, with roosters banned outright and enclosures required to meet zoning setback and sanitation rules.

Key details: Max chickens: 2 per household. Roosters: Prohibited. Code section: ROH 7-2.4. Poultry defined: ROH 7-2.2. Commercial exception: ROH 7-2.1.

Violations trigger Animal Nuisance enforcement under ROH Chapter 7, Article 2, with abatement orders, fines, and potential impoundment of noncompliant animals.

Compared to other cities, East Honolulu takes a harder line on chickens & livestock. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Breed Restrictions

East Honolulu has no breed-specific dog ban. Instead, ROH Chapter 7, Article 7 regulates individual dogs declared dangerous, imposing muzzling, six-foot leash, and adult handler requirements under ROH 7-7.2.

Key details: Breed ban: None. Dangerous dog leash: 6 feet max. Handler: Adult required. Code section: ROH 7-7.2. State BSL: None.

Negligent failure to control a dangerous dog is a petty misdemeanor with fines, mandatory containment orders, and potential euthanasia for dogs causing serious injury.

Beekeeping

East Honolulu has no dedicated beekeeping ordinance. Apiaries are treated as agricultural activity under the Land Use Ordinance Chapter 21, with state registration under HRS Chapter 152 required for all hives.

Key details: Dedicated ordinance: None. Code chapter: ROH 21 (LUO). State registration: HRS 152. Permitted zones: Agricultural districts. Proposed setback: 25 feet (Bill 65).

Unauthorized apiaries in non-agricultural zones are zoning violations under ROH 21, subject to notice of violation, daily fines, and orders to remove hives.

Exotic Pets

East Honolulu enforces Hawaii's strict statewide exotic pet ban under HRS Chapter 150A. Snakes, ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, and many others are illegal statewide, with local nuisance remedies under ROH 7-2.

Key details: State statute: HRS 150A. Admin rules: HAR 4-71. Local nuisance: ROH 7-2. Snakes: Prohibited. Hamsters/gerbils: Prohibited.

Illegal exotic animal possession can trigger state-level confiscation, misdemeanor charges under HRS 150A, and local Animal Nuisance abatement under ROH 7-2.

This is one of the stricter rules in East Honolulu's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Animal Hoarding

East Honolulu households face a ten dog or ten cat cap under ROH 7-2.5, plus state animal hoarding charges under HRS 711-1109.6 when more than fifteen dogs or cats are kept in poor conditions.

Key details: County cap: 10 dogs or 10 cats. Hoarding threshold: 15+ combined. State statute: HRS 711-1109.6. County section: ROH 7-2.5. Offense level: Misdemeanor.

Hoarding convictions carry misdemeanor penalties, forfeiture of animals, and restitution for care. County nuisance violations bring abatement orders, fines, and impoundment.

Compared to other cities, East Honolulu takes a harder line on animal hoarding. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Wildlife Feeding

East Honolulu has no blanket local wildlife-feeding ban. State law HRS Chapter 183D and federal MMPA govern feeding of wildlife and monk seals along Hanauma Bay and Maunalua Bay coasts.

Key details: State chapter: HRS 183D. Monk seal rule: HRS 195D-4.5. Local nuisance: ROH 7-2. Blanket county ban: None. Federal law: MMPA, ESA.

Feeding marine mammals violates federal law with civil fines up to tens of thousands of dollars. State HRS 183D and 195D violations carry misdemeanor penalties.

The Bottom Line

East Honolulu is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in East Honolulu, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from East Honolulu's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.