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Hawaii Posting Laws: How to Post Land
Hawaii has a sign recipe in its trespass law. The sign must carry a short, clear message in letters of a set height, and signs go at set intervals along the boundary and at roads and trails. Agricultural land has separate rules. This guide explains the main points in plain words.
What the law asks for on signs
HRS 708-814(1)(c) calls for a sign reading Private Property - No Trespassing, or a substantially similar message, in letters no less than two inches in height. For government land the message is Government Property - No Trespassing. The statute does not require the owner's name, and it sets no minimum sign size.
Spacing and placement
Signs go at reasonable intervals no less than three signs to a mile along the boundary line, and at roads and trails entering the land. Three to a mile means signs at most about 1,760 ft apart. Mark every road and trail that enters, not just the main gate.
Agricultural land and streams
Agricultural land has separate rules in 708-814(1)(c) and (d) that are permission-based, so read those parts of the statute if you farm. Navigable streams below the high water mark remain accessible, so a sign cannot close them. Hunting-specific posting rules from DLNR were not checked.
Practical tips
Salt air, rain and strong sun fade signs quickly, so choose durable material and walk your boundary a few times a year. Put signs at every trail head, since trails are named in the statute. Keep dated photos of each sign.
Questions about posting land in Hawaii
What must a Hawaii no trespassing sign say?
It must read Private Property - No Trespassing, or a substantially similar message, in letters no less than two inches in height. Government land uses Government Property - No Trespassing. Read HRS 708-814 for the current text.
How many signs per mile does Hawaii require?
Signs go at reasonable intervals no less than three to a mile along the boundary line, and at roads and trails entering the land. That works out to about one sign every 1,760 ft or closer.
Does Hawaii allow purple paint to post land?
The statute text we read shows no purple paint rule for Hawaii, so plan on signs that meet the letter height and spacing in the statute. Agricultural land has separate permission-based rules, so read HRS 708-814 for your situation.
This guide explains the law in plain words; it is not legal advice. We read the statute text on 2026-10-24. Laws change: check the current text here or ask your county or state wildlife agency.