Hawaii

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<map lat='20.8' lng='-157.5' zoom='6' view='0' float='right' country='United States'/> Hawaii is a group of islands in the Pacific ocean and belongs to the USA.

Despite being a series of islands separate from the mainland, it is probably the easiest US state for hitchhiking. Do not expect to travel very long distances, as all islands are fairly small, but do be prepared to drink a lot of beer and smoke a LOT of pot.

The Big Island

Thumbing around the Big Island can be heaps of fun especially since it is not as crowded with seasonal tourists as some of the other more frequented islands. Rides often come in the form of "Hop in the back bra" from locals driving large pick-up trucks. Rides can also be ways of getting to meet locals and avoiding being the Haole (a term used to describe foreigners and white people). Beware that the east side of the Island can almost certainly expect rain at some point during the day all year round, while the west side may be boiling hot and dry for weeks. Don't be afraid to use the Shaka sign, the unmistakable pinky and thumb salute. It is the ultimate symbol of aloha and local culture in Hawaii.

Law

An interpretation has been given by the Attorney General that "Att. Gen. Op. 75-17: Subsection (a) is not unconstitutionally vague." This means that if the police throw the book at you, it may be illegal to hitchhike on the property of any right of way in all counties except Honolulu county (the island of Oahu). However, as you can see below the law is very vague regarding the allowance of county interpretations:

Here is the text of the law (including controversial subsection (a))

291C-77 Pedestrians soliciting rides, business or attention of motorist. (a) Except as otherwise provided by county ordinance, no person shall stand in, walk along, or otherwise occupy a portion of a highway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, employment, business, or contributions from the occupant of any vehicle.

291C-1 Definitions. As used in this chapter: Highway means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained and those private streets, as defined in section 46-16, over which the application of this chapter has been extended by ordinance, when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

County Laws

Note: Due to the wording of the state law except as otherwise provided by county ordinance some counties in Hawaii are legal to hitchhike in based on their county code. It is unknown whether only statutes expressly allowing hitchhiking are considered for this, or if statutes prohibiting hitchhiking in certain circumstances can be assumed to allow it in circumstances not pertaining to their own county code.

Hawaii County Overview: Probably Legal*"

24-249 Pedestrians soliciting rides or business prohibited
(a) No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, employment, or business from the occupant of any vehicle.
24-3 Definitions
(35) "Roadway" means that portion of a highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder.
  • State law may override this law. Hitchhiking may be illegal in Hawaii county.

Honolulu County Overview: Legal*

15-17.4 Hitchhiking The solicitation of free rides (hitchhiking) shall be permitted at any official bus stop of the city and county or in any open area where there are no official bus stops within a reasonable distance; provided however, that the person soliciting rides shall not stand for the purpose of such solicitation on the roadway; and provided further, that no person shall attempt to intimidate, threaten, or otherwise annoy passing motorists while engaged in hitchhiking.

  • Honolulu county is the only county which explicitly permits hitchhiking overriding the state law.

Kauai County

Overview: Possibly Illegal

The county of Kauai does not post their statutes online, but instead requires that you PAY to have access to seeing them. Shoot the county a phone call or email telling them that their laws should be available to the public for free! Emailing [email protected] sends an email to all councilmembers of the county council for Kauai.


Maui County

Overview: Illegal

Maui does not appear to have any county-wide statute regarding the legality of soliciting rides. Therefor state law takes effect making it illegal here.

Experiences

I hitched in maui with extreme ease, the first time i put my thumb up i was in a car 30 seconds later, and half way around the island less than an hour later. The native locals are unfriendly, for good reason, although this is not absolute, the white locals are friendly, and you will always be picked up, and offered a beer, or some other goody-


J-rod


trash:Hawaii