Hawaii Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Hawaii, with citations to the statutes and the one-call center.
Last reviewed October 18, 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality and utility, so always contact 811 and confirm current requirements before you dig. Read the disclaimer
Hawaii at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Hawaii One Call Center (Hawaii 811)Visit website for Hawaii One Call Center (Hawaii 811) (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811 or 866-423-7287
- Notice required
- At least 5 working days but not more than 28 calendar days before excavation (working day = 7 a.m.-5 p.m., excluding Sat, Sun and federal/state holidays)
- Tolerance zone
- 30 inches
- Ticket life
- Inquiry identification number valid up to 28 calendar days; revalidate before it expires
- Maximum penalty
- $5,000 per day per violation; up to $100,000 for related violations from the same act or occurrence
Hawaii requires excavators to notify the Hawaii One Call Center (Hawaii 811) at least 5 working days but not more than 28 calendar days before excavating. A working day runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding weekends and federal or state holidays. The law is HRS Chapter 269E.
Tolerance Zone
30 inches
The approximate location of a facility is a strip no more than 30 inches on either side of its exterior surface (HRS 269E-2).
Key Regulations
Hawaii One Call Center Law
Requires notice to the one call center before excavation.
Citation: HRS Chapter 269E
Notice Window
Hawaii requires at least 5 working days (and no more than 28 calendar days) advance notice; the inquiry identification number is valid for up to 28 calendar days and must be revalidated before it expires for longer jobs.
Citation: HRS 269E-7
Penalties for Violations
The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission assesses civil penalties.
Maximum penalty: $5,000 per day per violation; up to $100,000 for related violations from the same act or occurrence
Licensing and Permits to Confirm
Licensing depends on the type of work and the city or county. Treat these as items to check with the Hawaii licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Hawaii contractor license from the Contractors License Board
- County permits where required
- Insurance as required by law and by contract
Sources
Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Facts on this page were checked against these statutes, rules and one-call center pages.
Disclaimer
This guide is general information about state excavation and one-call (811) laws. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Laws, rules and one-call center procedures change, and requirements can differ by city, county, utility operator and type of work. Facility operators may also set their own requirements. Before any excavation, contact the state one-call center through 811 and confirm current requirements in the statute and rules cited on this site. For questions about your obligations or liability, consult the statute directly or a licensed attorney in the state where the work takes place.
Hydrovac News makes no warranty that this information is complete, current or accurate, and is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on it.
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