← Back to search

HRS §711-1107

What counts as desecration and the punishment

This law makes it a crime to intentionally damage or deface certain important things, like public monuments, places of worship, burial sites, or the national flag in public. If you are convicted, you can go to jail for up to a year, pay a fine up to $10,000, or both.

everyone

The statute, as written — Desecration

(1) A person commits the offense of desecration if the person intentionally or knowingly desecrates: (a) Any public monument or structure; (b) A place of worship or burial; or (c) In a public place, the national flag or any other object of veneration by a substantial segment of the public. (2) As used in this section, "desecrate" means defacing, damaging, polluting, or otherwise physically mistreating any monument, structure, place, or object described in subsection (1). (3) Any person convicted of committing the offense of desecration shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than one year, a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
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.