Honolulu County, HI Special Events & Permits: Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way (2026)
Key Facts
- Filming window at Kailua/Kalama
- Sat 1pm to Mon 6:30am
- Major production daily fee
- $300 (ROH § 10-3.2)
- Nonprofit/local daily fee
- $20
- Still photo/special event
- $20/day, $100/mo, $1,000/yr
- Fee reduction possible
- If production promotes Hawaiʻi/Oʻahu
Summary
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.
(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 recreational stops by commercial tour companies, but excluding commercial filming activities and shore water events, are not allowed at any time at the following parks: (A) Waiale'e Beach Park; (B) Sunset Beach Park; (C) 'Ehukai Beach Park; (D) Pupukea Beach Park; (E) Waimea Bay Beach Park; (F) Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach Park; (G) Kaiaka Bay Beach Park; and (H) The undeveloped portions of Hale'iwa Beach Park adjacent to Pua'ena Point.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-10: Supplement 10, 12-2025 Ordinance No. 25-40 through Ordinance No. 25-56).
Full Breakdown
2(h) prohibits commercial activities, including recreational stops by commercial tour companies, at specific Oahu parks. on Mondays, meaning a film crew can work those parks only within that roughly 41-hour weekend window. 2(a)(1) and (a)(2). 2: a $300 daily permit for movies or television productions tied to nonlocal network or cable television, major motion picture studios, or national advertising, with no monthly or annual option; a lower $20 daily permit for nonprofit organizations, local television and local advertising, and public service, educational, or school productions; and a tiered $20 daily, $100 monthly, or $1,000 annual permit for still photography or special event videography, defined as noncommercial motion pictures or videos of private events like weddings or graduations kept as family mementos.
The mayor or a designee can reduce a daily fee for productions that feature or promote the State of Hawai'i, Oahu, or the City and County of Honolulu.
Violations & Fines
Commercial activity, including filming outside its exempted window, at a park covered by § 10-1.2(h) is enforced under the Article 1 penalty section, § 10-1.6, which authorizes officers to issue a citation for the violation. Arrest under that section is limited to a violator who will not identify themselves, will not stop the activity once cited, or has already been cited for the same violation within the past year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a movie crew film at Kailua Beach Park in Honolulu?
How much does a Honolulu commercial filming permit cost?
Can the city reduce the filming permit fee?
Do all Oahu beach parks treat commercial filming the same way?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
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