Home Daycare: East Honolulu vs Honolulu
How do home daycare rules compare between East Honolulu, HI and Honolulu, HI?
East Honolulu and Honolulu have similar restriction levels.
East Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Residents in Hawaii Kai and other East Honolulu neighborhoods operating in-home child care must register under HRS Sec. 346-151 as a family child care home and comply with city zoning home occupation standards.
View full East Honolulu rules →Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu County permits in-home child care as a home occupation under ROH 21-5.350, while the Hawaii Department of Human Services licenses family child care homes caring for three to six unrelated children under HRS 346-151.
View full Honolulu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | East Honolulu | Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| State authority | - | HRS Sec. 346-151 |
| County authority | - | ROH Sec. 21-5.350 |
| Children covered | - | 3 to 6 unrelated |
| Licensing | - | Hawaii DHS |
| Substitute caregiver | - | Allowed with limits |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
East Honolulu FAQ
How many children can I care for in my East Honolulu home?
A family child care home may serve three to six unrelated children. Larger group child care homes have separate licensing categories under HRS Chapter 346.
Can a non-household employee help with the child care?
Yes. ROH Sec. 21-5.350 allows limited substitute caregivers for licensed home-based child care, which is an exception to the household-only employee rule for home occupations.
Honolulu FAQ
How many children can I care for without a license?
Care of two or fewer unrelated children generally does not require a state family child care home license under HRS 346-151. Three or more unrelated children triggers licensing.
Do I need a separate Honolulu County permit to run an in-home daycare?
No standalone county permit exists, but operation must fit within home occupation rules under ROH 21-5.350, including limits on signage and traffic.
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