Hawaii Security Camera Laws: Residential and Business Surveillance Rules

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

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.

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

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.

More Hawaii Recording Laws

Audio Recording | Video Recording | Voyeurism and Hidden Cameras | Workplace Recording | Recording Police | Phone Call Recording | Security Cameras | Recording in Public | Landlord-Tenant Recording | Dashcam Laws | School Recording | Medical Recording

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