In older times across the U.S., a jilted spouse could sue the person their partner ran off with for destroying their marriage. Hawaii officially outlawed these 'heart-balm' lawsuits to prevent bitter, vindictive litigation from clogging up modern courts. So if someone runs off with your partner, you are legally barred from suing the homewrecker for your broken heart.
An old urban legend claims that King Kamehameha issued a decree banning the placing of coins in one's ear to prevent the hiding of currency. While widely cited as an old Hawaiian quirk on weird law lists, historians struggle to find the exact decree today. It remains one of the most famous bizarre rumors about island laws.
Hawaii's older health codes placed strict limitations on where a standard tattoo artist could apply ink. Tattooing delicate areas like behind the ear or near the eyelids was restricted to medical doctors to prevent severe infections or blindness. Today, modern sanitation standards have mostly rendered this strict medical requirement obsolete.
Hawaii has strict liquor laws regarding how many beverages a single patron can possess simultaneously. You must finish your current alcoholic drink before the bartender is allowed to serve you a new one. Stacking up multiple Mai Tais is a surefire way to get a venue fined or shut down.
Honolulu has an old park ordinance that forbids harassing, annoying, or intentionally disturbing birds within public recreational areas. This was originally implemented to protect the peace and tranquility of city parks from rowdy individuals. Pigeons and native birds alike are shielded by this protective rule.
Falling coconuts are a genuine safety hazard in the islands and can cause severe head trauma to pedestrians. Property owners are legally required to maintain their palm trees and remove dead or heavy coconuts before gravity does the job. Failure to proactively trim the trees can result in hefty fines and massive personal liability lawsuits.
In certain Honolulu County jurisdictions, bars and venues cannot allow patrons to dance unless the establishment holds a specific permit and has a designated, illuminated dance floor. This rule stems from restrictive mid-century liquor commission guidelines aimed at controlling rowdy nightlife behavior. If the music moves you outside the designated box, the bouncer might tell you to sit down.
The mongoose was originally introduced to Hawaii by sugar planters in the 1800s to control rats, but it became a disastrous invasive species. Because they reproduce rapidly and eat native bird eggs, breeding, harboring, or keeping a mongoose as a pet is strictly forbidden. The state actively works to eradicate them rather than domesticate them.
Despite being a beach paradise, several county ordinances mandate proper attire when entering commercial establishments away from the water. Patrons must cover up with a shirt or dress rather than tracking sand and bare skin through a retail store. It was designed to uphold basic public decency standards and basic hygiene.
Honolulu instituted the 'Distracted Walking Law' to combat a rise in pedestrian accidents caused by smartphones. If you are caught looking down at an electronic device while crossing a street or highway, you can be slapped with a hefty fine. You must be completely on the sidewalk before you return to your screen.
Feral chickens are a notoriously noisy and disruptive nuisance across the Hawaiian islands. To prevent the explosive population growth of these wild birds, specific city ordinances make it illegal to intentionally feed them. Throwing breadcrumbs to these roosters can earn you a citation from local animal control.
To protect the fragile island ecosystem, Hawaii strictly forbids the ownership, importation, or transport of snakes. Because the islands have no natural predators for them, an invasive snake population could decimate native bird species. Violators face massive fines and even potential prison time.
Hawaii was the first state to completely ban billboards to preserve its natural, scenic beauty. The strict laws were championed by groups wanting to ensure commercialism didn't ruin the pristine landscapes for locals and tourists. The only exceptions are specific directional or official government signs.
Because erosion is a major threat to the islands, you cannot scoop up and take home sand from Hawaii's public beaches. This includes famous features like black and green sand beaches, which are irreplicable. Taking sand also violates the cultural belief that removing natural resources brings bad luck.
In a major conservation victory, Hawaii became the first state to completely outlaw the possession, sale, and distribution of shark fins. This law was passed to stop the cruel practice of shark finning, which threatens apex predators vital to ocean health. Restaurants caught serving shark fin soup face severe criminal penalties.
Riding in the open bed of a pickup truck is a quintessential island practice, but it is heavily regulated. It is illegal for passengers to ride in the back unless all the seats with seatbelts inside the cab are entirely occupied. Even then, specific safety conditions must be met regarding the passengers' seating position.
In an effort to prevent opportunistic auto theft, local traffic codes make it illegal to park and leave a vehicle unattended with the keys still in the ignition. Drivers must kill the engine, lock the ignition, and remove the key before walking away. This seemingly basic common sense is an actual enforceable traffic violation.
To protect fragile marine ecosystems, Hawaii banned the sale and use of sunscreens containing the chemicals oxybenzone or octinoxate. These chemicals have been proven to cause severe damage to coral reefs, leading to bleaching and death. Visitors are strictly required to use reef-safe mineral sunscreens when swimming in the ocean.
State harbors strictly regulate how long a person can use a vessel as their primary residence. To prevent marinas from turning into floating shanty towns, you cannot live on an anchored boat for more than 90 consecutive days without a specialized permit. This ensures spaces remain available for transient boaters and recreational use.
Like many American municipalities in the early 20th century, local health ordinances criminalized spitting on public sidewalks. This was part of a widespread public health campaign aimed at curbing the spread of tuberculosis and other contagious diseases. Though rarely enforced by police today, it technically remains on the books.