Hawaii Commercial Drone Operation Standards

Commercial drone pilots must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, register their aircraft, and follow federal operational rules including altitude, visual line-of-sight, and airspace authorization requirements. Hawaii state law layers ground-based protections: drone operations in state parks, conservation districts, and certain wildlife areas require permits from DLNR. Filming permits may also be required. Counties may regulate use of county-owned property and noise but cannot impose flight rules. Privacy law under HRS 711-1111 applies to commercial surveillance violations regardless of FAA certification.

Operating commercially without Part 107 certification is a federal violation. State park or surveillance violations carry fines and possible misdemeanor charges.