Is Dumpster Diving Legal in Hawaii?
Dumpster Diving is legal with restrictions in Hawaii as of 2026. In Hawaii, dumpster diving is generally restricted by trespassing laws and specific local ordinances. While there is no statewide statute explicitly prohibiting dumpster diving, accessing private property without permission to retrieve discarded items may violate Hawaii Revised Statutes §708-814 (Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree).
Dumpster Diving is LEGAL WITH RESTRICTIONS in Hawaii
Dumpster Diving is legal in Hawaii but with specific restrictions and regulations.
Dumpster Diving Laws in Hawaii: Quick Facts
- 1 Legal Status: Dumpster Diving is currently legal with restrictions in Hawaii.
- 2 Possession: Possession of discarded items is allowed if obtained from public property or with permission; taking items from private property without consent may be trespassing.
- 3 Sale: No specific laws prohibit sale of found items, but selling stolen or unlawfully obtained goods is illegal under general theft statutes.
- 4 Age Restriction: None
- 5 Penalties: Trespassing under HRS §708-814 is a petty misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment or a fine up to $1,000.
Detailed Legal Breakdown
| Possession | Possession of discarded items is allowed if obtained from public property or with permission; taking items from private property without consent may be trespassing. |
| Sale | No specific laws prohibit sale of found items, but selling stolen or unlawfully obtained goods is illegal under general theft statutes. |
| Age Restriction | None |
| Penalties | Trespassing under HRS §708-814 is a petty misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment or a fine up to $1,000. |
| Pending Legislation | None known |
How Does Hawaii Compare?
Across all 50 states, Dumpster Diving is fully legal in 1 states, legal with restrictions in 49 states, and illegal in 0 states. Hawaii is among the 49 states where it is legal with restrictions.
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Editorial Standards
This page was researched and written by the editorial team at IsThisLegalInMyState.com. All legal information is sourced directly from official state statutes, regulatory agency publications, and legislative databases. Our team reviews each page for accuracy and updates it when laws change.
Source
Citation: Hawaii Revised Statutes §708-814
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0708/HRS_0708-0814.htm
Last verified: 2026-01-15
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