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HRS §708-829

Littering is a crime with fines and cleanup work

This law makes it a crime to knowingly throw or drop litter on public or private land or water, unless you use a proper trash can or designated disposal site. If convicted, you must do cleanup or community service and pay a fine. The law also says what counts as litter and allows a defense if the owner allowed it.

everyone

The statute, as written — Criminal littering

(1) A person commits the offense of criminal littering if that person knowingly places, throws, or drops litter on any public or private property or in any public or private waters, except: (a) In a place designated by the department of health or the county for the disposal of garbage and refuse; (b) Into a litter receptacle; (c) Into a litter bag; provided that the bag is disposed of properly into a litter receptacle or in a place designated by the department of health or the county for the disposal of garbage and refuse. (2) "Litter" means rubbish, refuse, waste material, garbage, trash, offal, or debris of whatever kind or description, and whether or not it is of value, and includes improperly discarded paper, metal, plastic, glass, or solid waste. (3) Criminal littering is a petty misdemeanor. (4) The court shall sentence any person convicted of committing the offense of criminal littering as follows: (a) For the first offense, the person shall spend four hours of either picking up litter on public property or performing community service; (b) For any subsequent offense, the person shall spend eight hours of either picking up litter on public property or performing community service; and (c) The court shall fine the person convicted of committing the offense of criminal littering at least $500, but not more than $1,000. (5) It shall be an affirmative defense that the defendant had consent of the owner in control of the property.
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.