Hawaii County, HI Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowable districts
- Hamakua, N. Hilo, S. Hilo, Kau, Kohala, Kona segment, Puna
- Kona segment
- Ane Keohokalole Hwy, makai side
- Who designates areas
- County Council by ordinance
- Required input
- police chief & public works director, 45 days
- Fine for vending outside zone
- $250 per incident
- Last amended
- 2025, Ordinance 25-33
Summary
A special activity permit under HCC § 22-3.3 only authorizes vending on County streets the Council has designated. Section 22-3.3.2 currently lists Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo, Kau, Kohala, a stretch of Ane Keohokalole Highway in Kona, and Puna as the allowable districts.
When a special activity permit has been granted by the director, the commercial activities authorized thereby may be conducted on the following County streets: (a) Hmkua (b) North Hilo (c) South Hilo (d) Ka` (e) Kohala (f) Kona - Ane Keohoklole Highway, makai side, between the West Hawai`i Civic Center and the "Allied Quarry" access road. (g) Puna
Full Breakdown
1 gives the County Council authority to designate by ordinance which County streets may host commercial activity under a special activity permit, only after requesting recommendations from the chief of police and the director of public works, who must respond within forty-five days. 2, most recently amended in 2025 by Ordinance 25-33, lists the current allowable areas by district: Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo, Kau, Kohala, a segment of Ane Keohokalole Highway on the makai side in Kona between the West Hawaii Civic Center and the Allied Quarry access road, and Puna.
3 authorizes vending only within these designated areas; a permit does not authorize vending outside a listed district or street segment. 3(a): business license proof, a description of the activity, a waste management plan, indemnification, and $1,000,000 in liability insurance, and the director can issue it for up to one year. 1.
Violations & Fines
Vending under a special activity permit but outside the districts designated in HCC § 22-3.3.2 is treated the same as vending with no permit at all: a $250 fine per incident under § 22-3.4(a), plus potential revocation of the permit under § 22-3.4(b) for noncompliance with its conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I vend food anywhere on a County street with a permit?
Where in Kona can a food vendor legally set up?
Who decides which streets get added to the list?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawaii County
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