Firewood is prohibited from entering Hawai’i unless it has been certified, heat-treated by a governmental authority and properly labeled or otherwise permitted by the Hawaiian Department of Agriculture. Hawai’i has this and other regulations in place to prevent the introduction of invasive forest pests as well as prevent the spread of invasive forest pests already in the state. Many species of harmful insects and diseases can infest new areas when people travel with firewood. The following laws restrict the movement of firewood already in Hawai’i:
Within and out of Hawai’i:
- Hawai’i prohibits the transport of all ‘Ōhi‘a plant or plant parts, including firewood, between any of the islands to slow the spread of the aggressive Ceratocystis wilt fungal pathogen which causes Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD)
- Unprocessed firewood cannot be taken out of Hawai’i due to the state’s giant African snail infestation
- Palm tree material cannot legally be moved off the island of O`ahu due to the risk of spreading coconut rhinoceros beetle
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 24 October 2025.
Hawai’i Web Resources:
- Hawai’i Firewood Quarantine (Act 240), Government of Hawai’i
- Hawai’i Forest Institute, Pest and Disease Information Page
- Pest Information for Hawai’i, USDA APHIS
- Ōhi‘a Quarantine Permanent, Hawai’i Department of Agriculture
- Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, University of Hawai’i at Manoa
- Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Newsletter
- Hawai’i Invasive Species Council: Invasive Species Information
- Pine Shoot Moth Quarantine
- Traveling From the US mainland to Hawai’i – Plant Industry Division
- Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS)
Firewood Business Related Information:
Special Note to Firewood and Wood Product Businesses and Importers: USDA APHIS requires that all importers obtain a Timber and Timber Products Import Permit and treat all firewood and unprocessed wood products before importing into Hawai’i from a foreign country. In general, firewood from another State may be imported into Hawai’i under the notice, labeling, and inspection requirements of section 150A-5 of the Hawai’i Revised Statutes (“HRS”) unless the species is subject to a specific quarantine in Hawai’i. Also refer to the following documents for additional information.
- Hawai’i Summary of Exterior Quarantines
- Traveling From the US mainland to Hawai’i
- Hawai’i State and Private Forestry Factsheets
Do you know of better links for Hawai’i? Help us out by clicking on the Submit A Link button below.