ROH §16-12.7
What each type of hale can be used for and what is banned
Read the official text at honolulu.gov ↗This rule lists what each type of hale may be used for, such as eating, assembling, sleeping, retailing, or storage. It also bans certain activities near or inside hale, like cooking, open flames, and generators. Owners must keep hale in good repair, and repairs do not need extra building permits.
landowners
The ordinance, as written (Honolulu County) — Allowable and prohibited uses
A copy, taken August 22, 2026. The version published by Honolulu is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) Allowable uses. To the extent permitted by other applicable law, the various types of hale shall be used as follows:
Allowable Uses for Each Hale Type
Hale Halawai
Hale Kuai
Hale Noa
Hale Waa
eating (ai)
eating (ai)
eating (ai)
assembling (halawai)
assembling (halawai)
assembling (halawai)
sleeping (moe)
retailing (e.g., fruits) (ku`ai)
retailing (e.g., fruits) (ku`ai)
retailing (e.g., fruits) (ku`ai)
storage (papa`a)
storage (e.g., canoe) (papa`a)
(b) Prohibited uses and activities. The following uses and activities shall be prohibited from occurring within or near the hale:
(1) Cooking;
(2) Open flames;
(3) Generators;
(4) Extension cords;
(5) Electrical switches, fixtures, or outlets;
(6) Plumbing faucets, fixtures, or drains;
(7) Power tools;
(8) No screen, mesh, plastic, or any other similar material shall be attached to the hale; and
(9) Hale shall not be used as a food establishment as defined in the administrative rules adopted by the State department of health.
(c) Maintenance. The hale shall be periodically maintained by the owner to ensure structural integrity. Repairs for maintenance of the hale shall not require additional building permits.
Published by the City and County of Honolulu through American Legal Publishing.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.