Hawaii keeps its state-park rule refreshingly simple with a hard geographic line: metal detectors are allowed on sand beaches only, and nowhere else in a park. On top of that sits a powerful historic-preservation law that protects sites and burials across all state and county land. Here’s the detail.
At a glance
| State parks | Depends Metal detecting devices are allowed on sand beaches only within the state park system; all historical, archaeological, geological, and plant features must be left undisturbed. |
|---|---|
| State & public land | Restricted HRS §6E-11 makes it unlawful to take, excavate, injure, or alter any historic property or aviation artifact on any state or county land without department permission. |
| Beaches | Depends Within state parks, detecting is limited to sand beaches; beaches are generally public but §6E-11 still bars disturbing historic sites or burials anywhere on state land. |
| Local & federal | Depends County ordinances and site closures may add restrictions; verify locally. |
*Even where detecting is allowed, archaeological/historic sites are protected and you must fill holes and follow posted rules. Always confirm the current rule with the specific land manager.
Metal detecting in Hawaii state parks
The Hawaii Division of State Parks (DLNR), which administers the park system under HAR Title 13, Chapter 146, states in its official park rules: “Metal detecting devices are allowed on sand beaches only,” and requires visitors to “leave all plants, geological, historical, and archaeological features undisturbed.” So detecting off the sand beach areas, and any digging or removal of resources, is not allowed.
Hawaii’s historic-preservation law
Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 6E (Historic Preservation), specifically HRS §6E-11 (Prohibited acts on state land), makes it unlawful to take, appropriate, excavate, injure, destroy, or alter any historic property or aviation artifact on lands owned or controlled by the State or its political subdivisions, except as permitted by the department. This applies to all state and county land, not just parks.
Beaches, local rules & burials
Within the state park system detecting is limited to sand beaches. Hawaii’s beaches are generally public, but §6E-11 still prohibits disturbing historic or archaeological property or burial sites anywhere on state-controlled land, and Chapter 6E governs inadvertent discoveries through the State Historic Preservation Division. County ordinances and specific site closures may impose additional restrictions — verify locally. See our national guide.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (last verified July 2026):
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you metal detect in a Hawaii state park?
- Only on sand beaches. Official DLNR State Parks rules state metal detecting devices are allowed on sand beaches only, and all historical, archaeological, geological, and plant features must be left undisturbed. Detecting elsewhere in a park is not permitted.
- Do you need a permit to detect on a Hawaii beach?
- No general permit is required to detect on a sand beach in the state park system under DLNR park rules. But you may not disturb or remove any historic property, artifact, or burial site — HRS §6E-11 requires department authorization to excavate or take such items on any state or county land.
- What if you dig up something historic or a burial in Hawaii?
- HRS §6E-11 makes it unlawful to take, excavate, injure, or alter historic property or aviation artifacts on state or county land without department permission. Chapter 6E also governs inadvertent discoveries and burials, so such finds must be left in place and reported.
Find more, remember where
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