Tree removal permit rules in Hawaii County, HI — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
You can generally remove ordinary trees on your own Big Island property without a county permit. The exception is a tree the county has designated 'exceptional' under HRS Chapter 58, which requires county review before removal.
The County of Hawai'i does not impose a blanket private-property tree-removal permit. Removing everyday trees on your own land is allowed. The controlling restriction is state law: HRS Chapter 58 (the Exceptional Tree Act) directs each county to 'provide for special county review prior to destruction of exceptional trees, whether by removal or the existence of conditions which lead to the destruction of such trees.' If your tree is on the county's designated exceptional-tree list, you must go through county review and the Arborist Advisory Committee before cutting it. Coastal and conservation-district parcels may face additional state (DLNR/SMA) rules.
Removing or destroying a designated exceptional tree exposes the owner to special county review and injunctive relief under HRS 58-3.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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