HRS §271-8
You need a permit to carry people or goods for pay
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗This law says you cannot transport people or property for money using a motor vehicle on public highways in Hawaii unless you have a certificate or permit from the public utilities commission. There is an exception in section 271-5.
everyone
The statute, as written — Certificate or permit required
A copy, taken August 20, 2026. The version published by the Legislature is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
Except as provided in section 271-5, no person shall engage in the transportation of persons or property, for compensation or hire, by motor vehicle, over any public highway of this State unless there is in force with respect to the person a certificate or permit issued by the public utilities commission authorizing the transportation.
Sections this one refers to
§271-5 Who is exempt from motor carrier rules
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.