East Honolulu's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In East Honolulu, Hawaii, there are 9 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.

Grass Height Limits

East Honolulu properties from Hawaii Kai to Portlock must keep vegetation from becoming a fire hazard or vermin harborage under ROH Chapter 16A public nuisance rules.

Key details: Code: ROH Chapter 16A, Article 2. Compliance window: 30 days after notice. Enforcement: Department of Planning and Permitting. Height limit: No specific number set.

DPP issues written notice of nuisance with 30 days to abate; city may enter, cut vegetation, and bill the owner for costs if ignored.

Tree Trimming

East Honolulu homeowners along Kalanianaole Highway and residential streets must follow ROH Sec. 10-1.4 permit rules for trimming or pruning street trees in the public right-of-way.

Key details: Code: ROH Sec. 10-1.4. Permit issuer: Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry. Applies to: Street trees and right-of-way. Exceptional trees: ROH Chapter 40, Article 8.

Unpermitted work on street trees can result in citation and restitution for tree damage; the city may order corrective replanting by qualified arborists.

Weed Ordinances

Vacant lots in East Honolulu, including undeveloped hillside parcels near Koko Head and Kuliouou ridge, are subject to ROH Chapter 16A weed abatement notices from the city.

Key details: Code: ROH Sec. 16A-2.1 et seq.. Notice period: 30 days to comply. Remedy: City abatement at owner cost. Applies to: Vacant and improved property.

Failure to abate within 30 days allows city entry and removal; owner is billed for all abatement costs, which can become a lien on the property.

Water Restrictions

East Honolulu's large lots from Portlock to Kalama Valley must follow ROH Chapter 30 water management provisions plus Honolulu Board of Water Supply conservation stages during shortages.

Key details: Code: ROH Sec. 30-2.3. Shortage authority: Board of Water Supply. Shortage stages: Four graduated levels. Rebates: BWS rain barrel and xeriscape.

BWS can issue warnings and escalating fines for violations of shortage stages; ROH-based enforcement focuses on wasteful use and backflow or cross-connection risks.

Artificial Turf

East Honolulu has no specific ban on artificial turf, but LUO Sec. 21-4.70 landscape area requirements determine whether synthetic grass counts toward zoning landscape coverage.

Key details: Code: LUO Sec. 21-4.70. Ban: None in ROH. Permit: Not required for typical use. Landscape credit: DPP case-by-case.

No stand-alone turf violations; issues arise only if landscape coverage requirements under LUO are not met on new construction or permitted landscape plans.

The rules around artificial turf in East Honolulu lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Designated exceptional trees in East Honolulu, including mature specimens in Aina Haina and Niu Valley estates, cannot be removed without a Parks and Recreation permit under ROH Chapter 40, Article 8.

Key details: Code: ROH Secs. 40-8.1 through 40-8.9. Permit issuer: Parks and Recreation Department. Emergency clause: ROH Sec. 40-8.9. State reference: HRS Chapter 58.

Unpermitted removal of an exceptional tree can result in substantial penalties, replanting orders, and civil liability; emergency removals require prompt reporting.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. East Honolulu actively enforces its tree removal & heritage trees requirements.

Native Plants

East Honolulu landscaping follows LUO Sec. 21-4.70. Native Hawaiian species are permitted substitutions, making them a strong drought option for dry Hawaii Kai and Portlock lots.

Key details: Code: LUO Sec. 21-4.70. Mandate: Voluntary, not required. Guidance: BWS Xeriscape Program. Climate fit: Leeward dry coastal.

Non-compliant landscape plans may be rejected by DPP; however, native substitutions are commonly approved and rarely the source of citations.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find East Honolulu gives residents more flexibility on native plants.

Composting

East Honolulu residents follow ROH Sec. 42-3.5 food waste recycling and the city's G.R.O.W. curbside program, with home composting allowed for typical Hawaii Kai and Aina Haina yards.

Key details: Code: ROH Sec. 42-3.5. Curbside start: April 1, 2025. Program: G.R.O.W. food scrap program. Commercial: Mandatory diversion rules.

Improper placement or mixing of refuse and recyclables can draw warnings and fines; commercial food-establishment diversion violations carry stricter enforcement.

Rainwater Harvesting

East Honolulu permits residential rainwater harvesting. No Honolulu ordinance restricts collection, and the Board of Water Supply offers rebates attractive for large Hawaii Kai and Aina Haina lots.

Key details: Ordinance: None specific to harvesting. Permit-free limit: Up to 360 gallons outdoor. Rebates: Board of Water Supply offers. Guidance: UH CTAHR catchment program.

No ordinance-based violations for simple outdoor catchment; indoor/potable systems that connect to household plumbing require permits and health compliance.

East Honolulu is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rainwater harvesting. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, East Honolulu gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 3 of the 9 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

This guide is based on East Honolulu's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.