Hawaii County, HI Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Under-15 curfew
- 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
- Ages 15-17 curfew
- 12:30 a.m. to 4 a.m.
- Parent/guardian fine
- up to $500
- Business operator fine
- up to $25
- Under-6 rule
- must always be with an adult
- Coverage
- islandwide, no cities beneath county
Summary
Hawai'i County bars minors from public streets, parks and public establishments during set curfew windows: under-15s from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., and 15-through-17-year-olds from 12:30 a.m. to 4 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or an authorized adult eighteen or older.
Section 13-1: No person under the age of fifteen years shall remain or loiter on any public street, highway, park, or any other public place, including any establishment catering to the public where food, drink, entertainment, or recreational activities are provided, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. except in case of necessity or unless accompanied by the person's parent, legal guardian, or an authorized person eighteen years or older. Section 13-2: No person under the age of eighteen years shall remain or loiter on any public street, highway, park, or any other public place... between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. unless accompanied by the person's parent, legal guardian, or an authorized person eighteen years or older.
Full Breakdown
curfew for anyone under fifteen on any public street, highway, park, or establishment catering to the public, such as a restaurant or venue with food, drink, entertainment, or recreational activities, unless the minor is out of necessity or with a qualifying adult. window and no necessity exception. Because Hawai'i County has no incorporated cities beneath it, these hours apply the same way in Hilo, Kailua-Kona, and every unincorporated community on the island; there is no separate municipal curfew layer to check. A related but stricter rule, §13-6, requires any child under six to be with a parent, guardian, or adult on any public street or highway at any hour, with an exception only for going to or from school.
Enforcement differs by who is responsible: the minor's own violation of §13-1 or §13-2 is adjudicated under HRS §571-11(1), Hawaii's juvenile court statute, not fined directly by the County. Adults who enable a violation face separate county fines: a parent or legal guardian who knowingly permits the violation can be fined up to $500 under §13-4, and the operator of an establishment who knowingly lets a minor remain past curfew without a qualifying adult can be fined up to $25 per §13-5.
Violations & Fines
A minor's own curfew breach goes to family court for adjudication under HRS §571-11(1) rather than a direct county fine. A parent or guardian who knowingly permits a minor to violate §13-1 or §13-2 is fined up to $500 under §13-4. A business operator who knowingly allows a minor to remain on the premises past curfew hours is fined up to $25 under §13-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the curfew apply in Hilo and Kona?
What happens to a minor caught breaking curfew?
Can my teenager be out past midnight with me?
Is a business liable if a minor lingers past curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawaii County
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