Aerial Imaging Services in Honolulu, HI

FAA Part 107 Requirements

All commercial drone operations in Hawaii require the pilot to hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Our network operators are verified Part 107 holders.

State Drone Laws

Hawaii regulates drones through several state statutes and administrative rules. Act 202 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2015) prohibits the operation of unmanned aircraft in state parks without a permit issued by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). DLNR Administrative Rules Chapter 13-146 extends this prohibition to state-owned lands and forest reserves, requiring a commercial use permit for drone takeoff and landing. HRS Chapter 263-10 makes it illegal to operate a drone while under the influence of intoxicants, applying the same standards as manned aircraft DUI. HRS Chapter 712-1000 (voyeurism statutes) applies to drone surveillance that captures images of private areas without consent. Hawaii does not require a separate state-level commercial drone license, but all commercial operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL. Honolulu International Airport (HNL) has Class B airspace extending over much of southern Oahu, and all five airports on the island have controlled airspace requiring LAANC authorization. Military installations across Hawaii — including Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and the Pacific Missile Range Facility — have extensive restricted airspace and TFRs. The National Park Service prohibits commercial drone takeoff and landing within national park boundaries (Haleakala, Hawaii Volcanoes, Puuhonua o Honaunau). The US Fish and Wildlife Service prohibits drone operations in national wildlife refuges without a special use permit. Drone operations near humpback whale habitats during winter calving season (November through May) should follow NOAA guidelines, and operators should avoid harassing marine wildlife under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Local Ordinances

Honolulu is governed by Hawaii state drone law (HRS Chapter 263-10 operating under the influence, HRS Chapter 711-1107 harassment by drone, Act 202 SLH 2015 state park prohibitions, DLNR Administrative Rules Chapter 13-146) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City and County of Honolulu requires a commercial filming permit for all drone work on city property, issued through the Honolulu Film Office at 808-768-6658. Honolulu city parks, beaches, and recreational areas require explicit permission for commercial drone takeoff and landing. Hawaii DLNR special use permits are required for drone operations in all state parks, state monument, and wildlife sanctuaries — apply through the Division of State Parks at 808-587-0300. Diamond Head State Monument, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, and Waikiki Beach all have specific restrictions. The National Park Service prohibits drones in all NPS units on Oahu. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising requires a film permit from the Hawaii Film Office. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within PHNL Class B airspace boundaries — much of urban Honolulu is within the Class B surface area where flights are effectively prohibited. Military installations including Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Wheeler Army Airfield, and Schofield Barracks require explicit military authorization. Drone operations near humpback whale habitats during winter calving season (November through May) should follow NOAA guidelines under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Salt air is extremely corrosive — drone components require thorough cleaning and maintenance after every flight.

Restricted Airspace

• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (PHNL) has Class B airspace that extends over much of southern and central Oahu, including downtown Honolulu, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and the Ewa plain. The Class B surface area has a 5 NM radius and multiple shelves extending to 20+ NM. Commercial drone operations within the PHNL Class B lateral boundaries require LAANC authorization, and the surface area restrictions are severe — much of urban Honolulu is under the Class B surface area where drone flights are effectively prohibited or require specific ATC coordination. PHNL is a major Pacific hub with heavy airline, cargo, and military traffic — Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qantas, and United operate wide-body jet flights throughout the day. The airport also hosts the 154th Wing of the Hawaii Air National Guard with C-17 Globemaster III operations.
• Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam is a National Register Historic Landmark and active military installation approximately 5 NM west of downtown Honolulu. The base operates nuclear submarines, destroyers, and cruisers from the Navy component, and F-22 Raptors and C-17 Globemasters from the Hickam Air Force Base component. The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard conducts submarine and surface vessel maintenance. Drone operations over Pearl Harbor and Ford Island are absolutely prohibited — this is one of the most sensitive military airspace restrictions in the Pacific. The USS Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri Memorial are NPS and Navy-managed sites with strict aerial photography restrictions. The entire Pearl Harbor area has enhanced security airspace considerations and TFRs are issued during fleet visits and VIP events.
• Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay, PHNG) is located approximately 12 NM east of downtown on the windward side of Oahu. The base operates CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, and F/A-18 Hornets. The restricted airspace extends over the Kaneohe Bay area and the Kooolau mountain range. Drone operations near MCBH are prohibited without explicit Marine Corps authorization. The Osprey tiltrotor aircraft conduct low-level transition flights over the Kaneohe Bay and Kailua areas, creating sudden and unpredictable aircraft traffic.
• Wheeler Army Airfield (PHHI) and Schofield Barracks in central Oahu have military airspace restrictions for Army helicopter operations. The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade operates AH-64 Apaches, UH-60 Blackhawks, and CH-47 Chinooks from Wheeler. The restricted airspace covers portions of the central Oahu plateau and Wahiawa area. Drone operators in central Oahu should coordinate with Army aviation operations. The Wheeler-Schofield complex creates continuous helicopter traffic across central Oahu between the leeward and windward sides.
• The National Park Service prohibits drone operations in all national park units on Oahu — the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument (USS Arizona), Pearl Harbor National Memorial, and any NPS-managed sites. Diamond Head State Monument requires a Hawaii DLNR special use permit for commercial drone operations. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve prohibits all drone operations. All Hawaii State Parks on Oahu (including Waimea Valley, Sand Island State Recreation Area, and Ahupuaa O Kahana State Park) require DLNR permits. The Honolulu Film Office requires a commercial filming permit for drone work on City and County of Honolulu property (808-768-6658). Waikiki Beach and Kapiolani Park are under PHNL Class B airspace and require both LAANC and City filming permits.