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ApertureAuthority
US City

Honolulu

Honolulu's per-day permit covers Oahu city and county land, with insurance only for higher-impact shoots and a separate state permit for state land.

Verified Jun 28, 2026 2 official sources
Permit: conditional

Guidance, not legal advice

Rules change and enforcement varies. Confirm with the issuing authority before you shoot. Drone law depth lives at Drone Authority.

Permit

Conditional

Issuer: City and County of Honolulu Film Office (Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts); state-owned land uses the separate Hawaii Film Office permit

Cost: City and county permit fees range from about $20 to $300 per day depending on the shoot and whether fee-reduction criteria are met

Processing: Apply ahead; payment due before the permit is released

A permit is required to film on city and county property and right of way on Oahu. Insurance of at least $1,000,000 general liability naming the City and County of Honolulu is required only for projects that create significant impact; low-impact shoots usually do not need it.

Official permit page

Drone / airspace

Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107; expect restrictions over public land and beaches

Local rules sit on top of FAA airspace rules. For Part 107 and drone law, see Drone Authority.

Street / public space

Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US

Private property sets its own rules regardless of local law.

Practical notes

  • Determine jurisdiction first: city and county versus State of Hawaii land use different film offices and permits.
  • Apply via the ePermit system; fee reductions are available for qualifying productions.

Sources

Keep shooting

Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side:

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