Special Events & Permits in Honolulu County, HI (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Honolulu County, Hawaii.
Verified from official government sources
Park Event Permits
The City and County of Honolulu requires a Department of Parks and Recreation permit before using any park it controls for picnic groups of 50 or more people, camping, sports tournaments, organized meetings or gatherings, or expressive activities of 75 or more people, with the trigger rising to 150 at Ala Moana and parts of Kapiolani Park.
Honolulu Park Event Permit Required
Some RestrictionsROH § 10-1.3(a)
Any person using the recreational and other areas and facilities under the control, maintenance, management, and operation of the department of parks and recreation must first obtain a permit from the department for the following uses: (1) Picnic groups, consisting of 50 or more persons. ... (6) Meetings or gatherings or other similar activity other than expressive activities held by organizati...
Parade Permits
A permit from the director of transportation services is required before any parade, march, or other activity that closes an Oahu street, with limited exceptions for military and public-safety processions.
Honolulu Parade & Street Activity Permit
Significant RestrictionsROH § 15-24.20(b)
Except for funeral processions, parades, marches, or other processions by members of the United States Armed Forces, State of Hawaii Armed Forces, and city police and fire departments, a person may not conduct a street activity on streets or highways without first obtaining a permit from the director pursuant to this section. (c) Application. An applicant desiring a street activity permit sha...
Street Fair Rules
Street festivals anywhere on Oahu need a street activity permit, and inside the Waikiki special district the director may approve only two per four-month period each year.
Honolulu Waikiki Street Festival Permit Cap
Significant RestrictionsROH § 15-24.20(d)(3)(B)(iii)
Waikiki street festivals. For street festivals in the Waikiki special district, including Waikiki legacy street festivals, the director may approve a maximum of two permits per triannual period (four-month period) of the calendar year, based on the date the street festival will be held. (iv) Waikiki legacy street activities. Waikiki legacy street activities will receive a permit if all permit...
Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way
Kailua Beach Park and Kalama Beach Park are closed to commercial activity around the clock, but ROH § 10-1.2(h)(1) carves out one weekend window for commercial filming. Crews with a Parks and Recreation permit under § 10-3.2 can film there from 1:00 p.m. Saturday straight through 6:30 a.m. Monday, when every other commercial activity stays banned.
Honolulu Film Permit Exemption From Park Ban
Some RestrictionsROH § 10-1.2(h)(1), (h)(2)
(h) Commercial activities prohibited at parks. (1) Commercial activities, including recreational stops by commercial tour companies, but excluding commercial filming activities that take place from 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays through 6:30 a.m. on Mondays, are not allowed at any time at the following parks: (A) Kailua Beach Park; and (B) Kalama Beach Park. (2) Commercial activities, including recreat...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Honolulu lets restaurants apply for revocable permits to operate outdoor dining on sidewalks, parklets, pedestrian malls, parks, and playgrounds islandwide, with a $50 application review fee under ROH § 13-20.3, effective July 22, 2025.
Honolulu Outdoor Dining Services Permit Program
Some RestrictionsROH § 13-20.3
The department may establish a program for outdoor dining services that allows restaurants to use certain city properties for dining and take-out operations. These city properties are limited to sidewalks, parklets, pedestrian malls, parks, and playgrounds. (c) The department is authorized to implement the program consistent with this section, commencing on July 22, 2025. (d) The department...
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