Outdoor Burning: East Honolulu vs Honolulu
How do outdoor burning rules compare between East Honolulu, HI and Honolulu, HI?
East Honolulu and Honolulu have similar restriction levels.
East Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
All open burning in East Honolulu must comply with the Honolulu Fire Code: most categories require a letter to the fire department 14 days in advance and a 15-minute pre-light notice, and burning may be prohibited entirely when deemed a hazard.
View full East Honolulu rules →Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu regulates open outdoor burning under ROH Chapter 20 (Fire Code). Most open burning requires prior notification or written AHJ approval, and is prohibited when deemed a fire hazard.
View full Honolulu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | East Honolulu | Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | ROH Sec. 10.11.1.1 | - |
| Permitted Categories | 7 listed (cooking, recreational, hazard, etc.) | - |
| State Overlay | HAR Ch. 11-60.1 (DOH open burning) | - |
| Governing code | - | ROH Ch. 20, NFPA 1 § 10.11 |
| Recreational fire notice | - | AHJ approval 14 days prior |
| Pre-ignition HFD notice | - | 15 minutes before lighting |
| Maximum fine | - | $1,000 per day |
| Enforced by | - | Honolulu Fire Department |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
East Honolulu FAQ
What kinds of open burning are allowed in East Honolulu?
Only the seven categories listed in ROH Section 10.11.1.1: cooking food, recreational/decorative/ceremonial fires, abating a fire hazard, disease or pest control, firefighter training, disposal of dangerous materials, and residential bathing.
Does cooking in an imu require notice?
Yes. For cooking fires not contained within an appliance, such as an imu, the responsible person must notify the HFD Fire Communication Center 15 minutes before lighting.
Honolulu FAQ
Can I have a backyard bonfire or fire pit in Honolulu?
Only with written property-owner permission and prior AHJ approval submitted at least 14 days in advance, plus HFD notification 15 minutes before lighting. Open burning can be prohibited if deemed hazardous.
Are imu (underground cooking fires) allowed without a permit?
An imu-style cooking fire not contained within an appliance does not require advance AHJ approval but does require HFD notification 15 minutes before lighting.
Where can I find the full Honolulu Fire Code?
ROH Chapter 20 is available on the HFD website and via the American Legal code library. The 2021 edition is based on NFPA 1 (2021).
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