Hawaii

Hawaii Security Camera Laws: Residential and Business Surveillance Rules

By Recording Law Editorial TeamPublished March 23, 2026Reviewed June 7, 20267 min read

Hawaii allows security cameras on residential and business property in areas where people lack a reasonable expectation of privacy. Audio recording follows one-party consent under HRS 803-42. Cameras are barred from bathrooms, bedrooms, and other private spaces under HRS 711-1111 regardless of who installs them.

Hawaii does not have a standalone security camera statute. Instead, the legality of security cameras is governed by the intersection of several laws, primarily HRS 711-1111 (violation of privacy in the second degree), HRS 711-1110.9 (violation of privacy in the first degree), and HRS 803-42 (the wiretapping statute that governs audio recording).

The general rule is that security cameras are legal in areas where people do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Cameras in private places -- including bathrooms, bedrooms, locker rooms, and rental units -- are prohibited regardless of who installs them.

Residential Security Cameras

Homeowner Rights

Hawaii homeowners can install security cameras on their own property in locations where they have a right to be present and where the subjects do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Permitted locations include:

Front doors, entryways, and porches
Driveways and parking areas
Backyards (your own yard, not aimed at neighbors)
Fences and perimeter areas
Garages and storage areas

Neighbors' Privacy Rights

Cameras on your own property must not capture areas where neighbors have privacy expectations. Cameras pointed at neighbors' private areas violate HRS 711-1111. Incidental capture of a neighbor's yard or driveway from your property is generally acceptable, but deliberately pointing a camera into their private spaces is not.

Do not record in neighbors' bedrooms, bathrooms, or enclosed private areas. This is both a misdemeanor under HRS 711-1111 and potentially a felony under HRS 711-1110.9 if intimate images are captured.

Doorbell Cameras

Doorbell cameras like Ring and Nest are legal in Hawaii. They can capture:

Your own property and public areas like sidewalks
Audio recording through doorbell cameras follows one-party consent rules for conversations you participate in
If the camera captures audio of passersby or neighbors, this may raise concerns under HRS 803-42

Nanny Cameras and Indoor Monitoring

Using indoor cameras to monitor childcare providers (nanny cameras) is legal in Hawaii in common areas of your home. However:

Cameras in bathrooms or areas where the caregiver changes clothes are prohibited
If the camera records audio, one-party consent applies; you must be a party to conversations captured
Disclosing the existence of cameras to caregivers is a best practice

Hawaii a dome security camera in the corner of an office ceiling, soft interior daylight

Business Security Cameras

Where Businesses Can Place Cameras

Hawaii businesses have broad rights to install security cameras in areas accessible to the public or where employees work without a privacy expectation:

Customer-facing sales floors and service areas
Entrances and exits
Parking lots and loading docks
Common hallways and corridors
Warehouses and production floors
Common break rooms that are open and accessible

Where Businesses Cannot Place Cameras

Cameras are prohibited in private places under HRS 711-1111:

Restrooms and bathrooms
Locker rooms and changing areas
Shower facilities
Lactation rooms and nursing spaces
Dressing rooms in retail stores
Private offices where employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy

Employee Notification

While Hawaii does not have a specific statute requiring employers to notify employees of workplace cameras, best practices include visible signage where cameras are installed, disclosure in employment agreements, and workplace policy notices.

Hawaii surveillance camera lens in sharp focus with a blurred urban streetscape behind

Penalty Summary

Offense	Statute	Classification	Maximum Penalty
Camera in a private place without consent	HRS 711-1111	Misdemeanor	1 year jail, $2,000 fine
Camera capturing intimate images	HRS 711-1110.9	Class C Felony	5 years prison, $10,000 fine
Illegal audio interception	HRS 803-42	Class C Felony	5 years prison, $10,000 fine

Hawaii closed file folder with a single paper clip on a clean light wood desk

Audio Recording Through Security Cameras

The Audio Question

Many modern security cameras include audio recording capability. This adds an additional layer of legal complexity in Hawaii:

In public areas and common spaces, audio recording follows the one-party consent rule under HRS 803-42, as confirmed by the Hawaii Supreme Court in State v. Okubo, 67 Haw. 197, 682 P.2d 79 (1984). If you are a participant in a conversation captured by your security camera, one-party consent is satisfied. However, audio that captures conversations of passersby or visitors that you are not part of may raise concerns under HRS 803-42.

In private places, audio recording requires the consent of all persons entitled to privacy under HRS 711-1111.

Best Practice: Disable Audio on Outdoor Cameras

To avoid potential legal issues, many Hawaii security professionals recommend disabling audio recording on outdoor security cameras that capture conversations of people passing by. Video-only recording eliminates audio consent complications in public areas.

Vacation Rental Security Cameras

What Is Permitted

Vacation rental hosts can install security cameras at:

Exterior entry points (front door, gate)
Driveway and parking areas
Exterior common areas of the property
Pool areas (video only, not in changing areas)

All exterior cameras should be disclosed in the rental listing. Failure to disclose cameras can result in:

Platform violations and delisting
Criminal charges under HRS 711-1111 for hidden cameras in private spaces
Civil liability for invasion of privacy

Legal Consequences for Vacation Rental Camera Violations

Placing hidden cameras inside a vacation rental in Hawaii can result in:

Misdemeanor charges under HRS 711-1111 (up to 1 year jail, $2,000 fine)
Felony charges under HRS 711-1110.9 if intimate images are captured (up to 5 years prison, $10,000 fine)
Civil lawsuits from guests
Revocation of vacation rental permits by county authorities

Federal Developments

Hawaii's election deepfake law, Act 191 SLH 2024, was permanently enjoined as facially unconstitutional in Babylon Bee LLC v. Lopez, No. 1:25-cv-00234 (D. Haw. Jan. 30, 2026) (Park, J.). The federal TAKE IT DOWN Act (effective May 19, 2026) requires platforms to remove non-consensual intimate images on notice. These developments do not change the core rules for security camera placement but illustrate the broader framework for how recorded footage may be legally shared or distributed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are security cameras legal in Hawaii?

Yes. Security cameras are legal in Hawaii in areas where people do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Cameras are prohibited in private places like bathrooms, locker rooms, and bedrooms. Homeowners can install cameras on their own property, and businesses can install cameras in customer-facing and employee work areas (except private areas).

Can my neighbor point a security camera at my property?

It depends. A camera aimed at public areas like the street or a neighbor's driveway from their own property is generally permissible. A camera deliberately aimed at your bedroom windows, backyard privacy areas, or other private spaces could violate HRS 711-1111. Incidental capture of your yard while monitoring their own property is less likely to be a violation.

Can my landlord install cameras inside my apartment in Hawaii?

No. A rental unit is a private place under HRS 711-1111, and a landlord cannot install cameras inside the unit. Landlords can install cameras in common areas of the building such as lobbies, hallways, and parking areas. Hidden cameras inside a rental unit can result in misdemeanor or felony charges.

Does my security camera need to have audio recording disabled?

Not legally required, but recommended. Audio recording in public areas where you are not a party to conversations may raise concerns under HRS 803-42. Disabling audio on outdoor cameras pointed at public areas is a best practice to avoid potential liability.

Are hidden cameras legal in Hawaii vacation rentals?

No. Hidden cameras inside a vacation rental unit are illegal under HRS 711-1111. Exterior cameras at entry points are generally permissible but should be disclosed in the rental listing. Interior cameras of any kind, whether hidden or disclosed, raise serious privacy concerns and may violate platform policies.

Sources and References

Hawaii Revised Statutes 711-1111 - Violation of Privacy in the Second Degree(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov
Hawaii Revised Statutes 711-1110.9 - Violation of Privacy in the First Degree(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov
Hawaii Revised Statutes 803-42 - Interception of Communications(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov
Hawaii Revised Statutes 706-660 - Sentencing(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov
Hawaii Revised Statutes 803-48 - Recovery of Civil Damages(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov

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Hawaii Security Camera Laws: Residential and Business Surveillance Rules

By Recording Law Editorial TeamPublished March 23, 2026Reviewed June 7, 20267 min read