Outdoor Burning: Honolulu vs Kaneohe
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Honolulu, HI and Kaneohe, HI?
Honolulu and Kaneohe have similar restriction levels.
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 →Kaneohe, HI
Honolulu County
Kaneohe prohibits trash burning and tightly restricts open burning. Cooking fires and imu need 15-minute HFD notice; recreational fires require a 14-day letter to AHJ; agricultural burns additionally need a State DOH Clean Air Branch permit.
View full Kaneohe rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Honolulu | Kaneohe |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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).
Kaneohe FAQ
Can a Kaneohe farm burn crop residue?
Only with a DOH Clean Air Branch permit and compliance with ROH Chapter 20; HFD may still impose seasonal burn bans.
Can I burn fallen branches after a storm?
Green waste generally cannot be burned without a DOH permit. Most Kaneohe residents take storm debris to transfer stations.
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