HRS §462A-10

Piloting a vessel without a license is illegal

Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗

This law makes it a crime to pilot or offer to pilot a vessel without a valid pilot license, unless the vessel is exempt. It also requires a licensed pilot on board when a tug or towboat tows a vessel or barge that is not exempt. Breaking this law is a misdemeanor.

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The statute, as written — Piloting without a license

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.

It shall be unlawful for any person not licensed as a pilot under this chapter to pilot or to offer to pilot a vessel not exempt from this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any person on board a tug or towboat to tow a vessel or barge not exempt from this chapter, unless the vessel or barge shall have on board a pilot licensed under this chapter. Violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor.

Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.