Snakes and Other Banned Animals
HRS § 150A-6 — no live snake, flying fox, fruit bat or Gila monster may be brought in
No one may bring into the state any live snake, flying fox, fruit bat, Gila monster, injurious insect or eel of the order Anguilliformes, or any other animal the board finds harmful to agriculture, health or the native environment.
Who handles this in Hawaii: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Hawaii directory.
| What happened | Penalty |
|---|---|
| What happenedBringing in, owning or keeping a snake or other prohibited animal | PenaltyMisdemeanor, a fine of $5,000 to $20,000 |
| What happenedDoing it to breed, sell or release the animal | PenaltyClass C felony, a fine of $50,000 to $200,000 |
Whether a particular animal is allowed, and how to get a permit for one that is restricted, is a question for the state department of agriculture or a licensed Hawaii attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- HRS 150A-6 — Soil, plants, animals, etc., importation or possession prohibited
- HRS 150A-14 — Penalty
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Hawaii attorney.