Exotic pet laws in Hawaii
Rules read from each state's law on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.
The table lists every animal we cover and what Hawaii law says about keeping it as a pet. Each row links to the rule it rests on; animals link to their own state-by-state guide.
Animal by animal in Hawaii
| Animal | Status | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capybara | Banned | Capybaras are not on Hawaii's conditionally approved list. Live animals not on an approved list may not be brought in, and no private-use permit route was found.Not on the conditionally approved list; no private-use permit route | HAR 4-71-6(a), 4-71-6.5(a) |
| African pygmy hedgehog | Banned | African pygmy hedgehogs are not on Hawaii's conditionally approved list. Only one other hedgehog species appears, on the research and exhibition list, so pet hedgehogs are barred.Not on the conditionally approved list; no private-use permit route | HAR 4-71-6(a), 4-71-6.5(a) |
| Ferret | Banned | Domestic ferrets are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so private individuals cannot keep them as pets.Listed only on Part A (research and exhibition); not available for private pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2), Restricted Animal List Pa... |
| Sugar glider | Banned | Sugar gliders are not on Hawaii's conditionally approved list, so they cannot be brought in or kept as pets.Not on the conditionally approved list; no private-use permit route | HAR 4-71-6(a), 4-71-6.5(a) |
| Fennec fox | Banned | All foxes (genus Vulpes), including the fennec fox, are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so they are barred as pets.Listed only on Part A (research and exhibition); not available for private pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2), Restricted Animal List Pa... |
| Serval or savannah cat | Banned | Serval is on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so it is barred as a pet. Savannah cats, a serval hybrid, are also barred as hybrid cats with a restricted parent.Listed only on Part A (research and exhibition); not available for private pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2), Restricted Animal List Pa... |
| Wallaby | Banned | Hawaii lists every Macropus species and many other wallaby genera on its research and exhibition list. A few species also appear on the private and commercial list, but the state says Part B animals cannot be imported as pets.Part A research and exhibition only; Part B animals not allowed as pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2)-(3); HDOA Plant Quarantine... |
| Tarantula | Banned | Tarantulas and other spiders are not on Hawaii's conditionally approved list, so they cannot be brought in or kept as pets.Not on the conditionally approved list; no private-use permit route | HAR 4-71-6(a), 4-71-6.5(a) |
| Raccoon | Banned | Raccoons are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so private individuals cannot keep them as pets.Listed only on Part A (research and exhibition); not available for private pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2), Restricted Animal List Pa... |
| Red fox | Banned | All foxes (genus Vulpes), including the red fox, are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so they are barred as pets.Listed only on Part A (research and exhibition); not available for private pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2), Restricted Animal List Pa... |
| Skunk | Banned | All skunks are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so private individuals cannot keep them as pets.Listed only on Part A (research and exhibition); not available for private pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2), Restricted Animal List Pa... |
| Pet monkey | Banned | Hawaii bars all primates, including monkeys, for private and commercial use. Primates are only allowed for research, government zoos or approved primate sanctuaries.Primate sanctuary or research only | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(3) |
| Kangaroo | Banned | Hawaii lists every Macropus species, including red kangaroo, on its research and exhibition list. Red kangaroo also appears on the private and commercial list, but the state says Part B animals cannot be imported as pets.Part A research and exhibition only; Part B animals not allowed as pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2)-(3); HDOA Plant Quarantine... |
| Big cat | Banned | Tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs and cougars are all on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so they are barred as pets.Listed only on Part A (research and exhibition); not available for private pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2), Restricted Animal List Pa... |
| Bobcat | Banned | Bobcats are not on Hawaii's conditionally approved list, so they cannot be brought in or kept as pets.Not on the conditionally approved list; no private-use permit route | HAR 4-71-6(a), 4-71-6.5(a) |
| Prairie dog | Banned | All squirrel family animals, which includes prairie dogs, are on Hawaii's prohibited animals list, with exceptions only for government zoos and research.Family Sciuridae | HAR 4-71-6(b), Prohibited Animal List |
| Kinkajou | Banned | Kinkajous are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so private individuals cannot keep them as pets.Listed only on Part A (research and exhibition); not available for private pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2), Restricted Animal List Pa... |
| Otter | Banned | Both the river otter and the Asian small-clawed otter are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so they are barred as pets.Listed only on Part A (research and exhibition); not available for private pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2), Restricted Animal List Pa... |
| Lemur | Banned | Lemurs are primates (family Lemuridae) and Hawaii bars all primates for private and commercial use, apart from research, government zoos or approved primate sanctuaries.Primate sanctuary or research only | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(3) |
| Alligator or other crocodilian | Banned | Alligators, caimans, crocodiles and gharials are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so they are barred as pets.Listed only on Part A (research and exhibition); not available for private pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2), Restricted Animal List Pa... |
| Venomous snake | Banned | Hawaii prohibits all snakes, venomous or not, with exceptions only for a government zoo and for brown tree snake research.Entire suborder Serpentes | HAR 4-71-6(b), Prohibited Animal List |
| Giant constrictor | Banned | Hawaii prohibits all snakes, including giant constrictors, with exceptions only for a government zoo and for brown tree snake research.Entire suborder Serpentes | HAR 4-71-6(b), Prohibited Animal List |
| Tegu | Banned | Tegus are not on Hawaii's conditionally approved list, so they cannot be brought in or kept as pets.Not on the conditionally approved list; no private-use permit route | HAR 4-71-6(a), 4-71-6.5(a) |
| Bear | Banned | All bears (genus Ursus and other bear species) are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so they are barred as pets.Listed only on Part A (research and exhibition); not available for private pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2), Restricted Animal List Pa... |
| Wolfdog | Banned | Hawaii prohibits hybrids of dogs with wolves, coyotes and other wild canids, so wolfdogs cannot be brought in or kept as pets.Hybrid crosses | HAR 4-71-6(b), Prohibited Animal List (hybrid... |
| Axolotl | Permit needed | Axolotls are on Hawaii's conditionally approved list, but the state says animals on that list still need an import permit from the Plant Quarantine Branch. Other salamander groups are barred or restricted.Import permit from Plant Quarantine Branch | HAR 4-71-6.5(a)-(b)(1); Conditionally Approve... |
| Chinchilla | Permit needed | Chinchillas are on Hawaii's conditionally approved list, but the state says animals on that list still need an import permit from the Plant Quarantine Branch before they can be brought in.Import permit from Plant Quarantine Branch | HAR 4-71-6.5(a)-(b)(1); Conditionally Approve... |
Who regulates exotic pets in Hawaii
Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Branch is the agency to ask. HAR 4-71-6(a): introduction of live animals is prohibited unless they are on the lists in 4-71-6.5, by permit. Conditionally approved animals are for individual possession. Part A animals are for research, government zoos and similar; Part B animals may be used privately or commercially with a permit, except all primates, which are barred for private or commercial use.
The main texts:
- HAR 4-71-6 Prohibited introductions
- HAR Chapter 4-71 Non-Domestic Animal Import Rules (PDF, includes 4-71-6.5)
Before you buy in Hawaii
- Ask the state agency above, in writing if you can, and keep the answer.
- Ask your county and city: local ordinances can ban an animal the state allows.
- Check your lease, homeowners or renters insurance and any homeowner association rules.
- Buy only from a seller who can show the animal is captive-bred and legal to ship to Hawaii.
See every state in exotic pet laws by state, or test one animal in the legality checker.
How we checked. For each state we read the statutes, administrative code and agency lists that govern keeping wild or exotic animals, and every row above links to the text it rests on. A second, independent reviewer then re-read the same sources, and a row is shown only if it survived that check. "Not verified yet" means a state's rule could not be read or confirmed, which is a gap in our data and not a green light. County and city ordinances, landlord and insurance rules, and federal law sit on top of the state rule. Read how we check. See an error? Email hello@creaturesincrisis.org with the link.
Quick answers
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Hawaii?
- Banned. Raccoons are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so private individuals cannot keep them as pets.
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Hawaii?
- Banned. Hawaii bars all primates, including monkeys, for private and commercial use. Primates are only allowed for research, government zoos or approved primate sanctuaries.
- Is it legal to own a fox in Hawaii?
- Banned. All foxes (genus Vulpes), including the red fox, are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so they are barred as pets.
- Is it legal to own a skunk in Hawaii?
- Banned. All skunks are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so private individuals cannot keep them as pets.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in Hawaii?
- Banned. Domestic ferrets are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so private individuals cannot keep them as pets.
- Is it legal to own a capybara in Hawaii?
- Banned. Capybaras are not on Hawaii's conditionally approved list. Live animals not on an approved list may not be brought in, and no private-use permit route was found.
- Who do I ask about exotic pets in Hawaii?
- Start with Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Branch. Then ask your county and city.