Falconry Is Not Permitted in Hawaii
Why there is no licence to apply for, and what the federal rule actually says
Hawaii is the one state where falconry cannot be practised
There is no Hawaii falconry permitting programme, and federal law does not offer a way around that. So there is no licence to apply for, no exam to sit and no facility inspection to arrange. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is the agency to ask about raptor possession in Hawaii generally, but it does not issue falconry permits.
What federal law says
If you live in any State except Hawaii, you may practice falconry as permitted in these regulations if you have a falconry permit from your State, tribe, or territory.
That is 50 CFR § 21.82(b)(9), and Hawaii is named in it as the sole exception. Every other state, tribe and territory issues the falconry permit that federal law recognises. There is no separate federal falconry permit an individual can hold instead — the state permit is the one that matters, and in Hawaii it does not exist.
Read 50 CFR § 21.82 →If you live in Hawaii
Falconers who relocate to Hawaii cannot continue to fly there, and cannot bring birds with them. Two further restrictions apply regardless: the Hawaiian Hawk (ʻio) is a protected native species and may not be taken or flown, and bringing raptors into the islands is tightly restricted on biosecurity grounds. Falconers with Hawaii ties generally keep a permit and their birds in a state where falconry is licensed.
🏛️ Wildlife Agency
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is the wildlife agency for Hawaii, but it does not issue falconry permits, because Hawaii has no falconry programme. Contact them about raptor possession, protected native species, or bringing birds into the state.
🦅 Species Notes
Hawaii sets its own rules on which raptors may be flown. Federal rules already limit apprentices to red-tailed hawks and American kestrels; the restrictions below are what Hawaii adds on top.
- ⚠️Hawaiian hawk (Io) is protected and cannot be used
- ⚠️Import of raptors heavily restricted due to biosecurity
- ⚠️Limited quarry species available
- ⚠️No wild take permitted - captive bred only
Species profiles are in our falconry species guide.
This page is a summary for general information, not legal advice. Falconry regulations change, and the authoritative source is always the state agency. Confirm anything you plan to act on with Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) on (808) 587-0166. Last checked 2026-09-03.