Hawaii is one of the strictest states in the country when it comes to exotic animal ownership — and monkeys sit firmly at the top of its prohibited list. If you have been wondering whether it is possible to keep a primate as a pet in the Aloha State, the short answer is no. The longer answer involves state statutes, two separate regulatory agencies, county-level rules, and penalties that can escalate to felony charges.
Understanding exactly why Hawaii draws such a hard line — and what that means for you practically — can save you from a costly and potentially criminal mistake. This guide walks through every layer of Hawaii’s monkey ownership laws, from statewide bans to county ordinances to what happens if someone ignores the rules entirely.
Is It Legal to Own a Monkey in Hawaii?
Monkeys are illegal to own in Hawaii. The state maintains strict regulations regarding the importation and possession of animals, and monkeys fall squarely into the category of prohibited species. This is not a gray area or a matter of applying for the right paperwork — the prohibition is categorical.
All primates, including monkeys, apes, and lemurs, are illegal to own as pets in Hawaii. The ban covers every species in the primate order, regardless of size, temperament, or how the animal was acquired.
Hawaii’s unique island ecosystem makes it particularly vulnerable to invasive species. The introduction of non-native animals can have devastating consequences for native flora and fauna. Therefore, the state has implemented stringent laws to prevent the establishment of harmful exotic species. That ecological reality is the core reason Hawaii’s animal laws are far more restrictive than those of most mainland states.
The only U.S. state with more regulations on game and wildlife is Hawaii — a distinction that reflects just how seriously the state takes biosecurity. If you are curious about Hawaii’s broader approach to wildlife, the poisonous animals in Hawaii guide offers useful context on how the state manages its native species.
Which Monkey Species Are Allowed or Banned in Hawaii
No monkey species is permitted for private ownership in Hawaii. The ban applies to the entire primate order — from small finger monkeys and marmosets to larger species like capuchins and spider monkeys. There are no exceptions carved out for size, origin, or captive-bred status.
In Hawaii, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gibbons are heavily regulated because of their dual status as both endangered and threatened species and restricted animals. Great apes face an additional layer of regulation on top of the general primate ban, since they are also covered by federal endangered species protections.
Mammals such as sugar gliders, hedgehogs, ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, degus, prairie dogs, and most small exotic mammals are banned. Larger animals like foxes, wolves, big cats, bears, and non-human primates are off limits too. The state’s restricted animal list is broad, and primates of all kinds appear on it without exception.
If you are interested in learning about small monkey breeds from an educational standpoint, that resource covers what these animals are like in the wild — which also illustrates why Hawaii considers them an ecological risk. You might also find the types of spider monkeys guide informative for understanding primate diversity.
Key Insight: Even if a monkey species is legal to own in another U.S. state, that does not make it legal to bring that animal into Hawaii. State law governs what enters and remains within Hawaii’s borders, and the prohibited species list applies regardless of where the animal originated.
Permit and License Requirements for Monkey Ownership in Hawaii
A common misconception is that the right permit can unlock monkey ownership in Hawaii. That is not how the state’s system works. Two agencies — the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) — both regulate primates, and neither issues permits for private pet ownership.
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture prohibits the importation or possession of restricted animals without an HDOA permit, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources prohibits the possession, transportation, or sale of endangered and threatened species without a DLNR permit.
Neither agency issues permits for pet apes. Importation is prohibited without an HDOA permit — the agency does not issue permits to import pet apes. Transportation is prohibited without a DLNR permit — the agency does not issue permits to transport pet apes. Possession is prohibited without a DLNR and HDOA permit — and those agencies do not issue permits to possess pet apes.
In rare cases, organizations like zoos, research facilities, or educational institutions may obtain special permits for otherwise prohibited animals. These permits are extremely difficult to obtain and are not granted for personal pet ownership.
Municipal zoos, primate sanctuaries, government agencies, universities, and research facilities may possess apes with the appropriate federal and state permits. That narrow set of institutions represents the only legal pathway to housing primates in Hawaii, and it does not extend to private individuals under any circumstances.
According to FindLaw, permits are required for importing legal pets listed in Hawaii Administrative Rules Section 4-71-6.5, and these animals are subject to quarantine rules before being lawfully distributed to their owners. Monkeys do not appear on that approved import list at all.
Local Laws That May Still Apply in Hawaii
Beyond state law, Hawaii’s individual counties have the authority to add their own rules regarding exotic animals. The county-level picture is uneven, but it reinforces — rather than relaxes — the statewide prohibition on primates.
While the importation and possession of apes are regulated under both federal and state laws, counties may also regulate apes and other exotic animals within their jurisdictions. In Hawaii, there are four main counties: Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, and Maui (the fifth, Kalawao, is under the administration of Maui County).
According to the Animal Legal and Historical Center at Michigan State University College of Law, Hawaii County classifies nonhuman primates as both “companion animals” and “exotic animals,” and it is illegal to keep or exhibit nonhuman primates without a local permit (and any necessary federal and state permits). Permit applicants must submit evidence of a surety bond or liability insurance for injuries and damages caused by the exotic animal in the amount of $50,000.
Honolulu County has no local restrictions or requirements applicable to the importation or possession of apes. Maui County, including Kalawao County, also has no local restrictions or requirements applicable to the importation or possession of apes. That said, the absence of a county-level rule does not create a loophole — state law still applies in full throughout all counties.
Permit applications may be rejected for a variety of reasons, including previous or current violations of any local, state, or federal law relating to animals. A history of any animal-related violation can permanently close the door on any future permit eligibility, even for the institutional permits that do exist.
Important Note: Even in Honolulu and Maui counties, where no additional county-level primate rules exist, the Hawaii state ban on primate ownership still applies in full. The absence of a county ordinance is not permission.
Hawaii’s approach to local wildlife is worth understanding more broadly. Resources like types of lizards in Hawaii and types of frogs in Hawaii show how carefully the state tracks even small, native species — a reflection of the same conservation mindset behind the primate ban.
Where You Can Legally Buy a Monkey in Hawaii
There is nowhere in Hawaii where you can legally purchase a monkey for private ownership. No licensed breeder, exotic animal dealer, or pet store in the state can lawfully sell a monkey to a private individual. The prohibition on possession extends to the sale and transfer of primates, which means the commercial supply chain for pet monkeys does not exist legally within Hawaii’s borders.
There is no state permit authorizing the possession of pet apes — and the same logic applies to smaller monkeys. Without a valid possession permit, no sale can be legally completed, and no seller can legally operate.
Attempting to purchase a monkey online and ship it to Hawaii compounds the legal exposure significantly. Importing a primate without authorization violates both HDOA and DLNR rules simultaneously, and the animal would be intercepted and seized at the point of entry. Because Hawaii evolved in isolation for millions of years, many native species lack natural defenses against introduced predators and diseases. Even a single escaped exotic pet could potentially devastate the local ecosystem.
If you are drawn to primates because of an interest in Hawaii’s wildlife, consider exploring the state’s native and naturalized species instead. The types of butterflies in Hawaii and types of dolphins in Hawaii pages highlight some of the remarkable animals that do legally inhabit the islands.
What It Actually Costs to Own a Monkey in Hawaii
Because private monkey ownership is entirely illegal in Hawaii, there is no legitimate cost breakdown to offer — any money spent acquiring or maintaining a monkey in the state would be spent in violation of the law. However, understanding the financial exposure of attempting it illegally is instructive.
The legal costs alone are severe. Violators may face substantial financial penalties for possessing prohibited animals, the animal will be seized and removed from the owner’s custody, and in some cases individuals may face criminal charges for violating animal importation and possession laws.
Beyond fines and legal fees, the animal may be euthanized or shipped back to the mainland at your expense — a heartbreaking and costly outcome that is entirely avoidable. You will be held fully responsible for all quarantine and housing costs, which can accumulate into thousands of dollars before the process is resolved.
For those who want to connect with animals in Hawaii legally, adopting a dog or cat from a local shelter is a rewarding option. The popular dog breeds in Hawaii and Hawaiian dog names pages are good starting points if you are considering a legal companion animal.
In states where monkey ownership is legal, the financial commitment is substantial even before legal risk enters the picture. Purchase prices for primates commonly range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, and ongoing costs for specialized veterinary care, enclosures, diet, and enrichment add significantly to that figure year over year. In Hawaii, none of those costs can be legally incurred for a private pet monkey.
Penalties for Illegally Owning a Monkey in Hawaii
Hawaii’s penalties for illegal primate possession are among the most serious in the country. The consequences operate at multiple levels — administrative, civil, and criminal — and they can compound quickly depending on the nature of the violation.
At the state level, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture is responsible for enforcing these regulations, and they take their job seriously. Enforcement actions can begin the moment an illegal animal is discovered, and there is no grace period or warning system built into the process.
The criminal penalties are particularly severe for cases involving commerce. Anyone who imports or possesses a pet ape without an HDOA permit and with the intention of selling the animal is guilty of a class C felony and is subject to a fine ranging from $50,000 to $200,000. The same felony classification applies to breeding: anyone who imports or possesses a pet ape without an HDOA permit and with the intention of breeding the animal is guilty of a class C felony and is subject to a fine ranging from $50,000 to $200,000.
Serious violations can result in criminal prosecution — not just a fine, but a permanent record. A felony conviction carries consequences well beyond the immediate fine, including impacts on employment, housing, and future licensing of any kind.
Section 663-9 of Hawaii’s Revised Statutes makes the owner or harborer of any dangerous or wild animal absolutely liable for injuries or damages caused by the animal. This means that if an illegally kept monkey injures someone, the owner faces civil liability on top of any criminal penalties — with no legal defense based on the animal’s behavior or the owner’s precautions.
Important Note: Liability under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 663-9 is absolute, meaning you cannot argue that you took reasonable precautions or that the animal had no prior history of aggression. If your illegally kept primate causes harm, you are legally responsible for all resulting damages.
Understanding Hawaii’s broader approach to invasive and prohibited species helps put these penalties in context. The state applies the same protective philosophy across its animal regulations — from invasive snails in Hawaii to types of ants in Hawaii — because every introduction of a non-native species carries real ecological risk. For a broader look at disease risks sometimes associated with primates, the monkeypox overview provides useful background on why public health concerns also factor into these restrictions.
The bottom line is straightforward: monkey ownership in Hawaii is not a regulatory hurdle to clear — it is a categorical prohibition with serious legal consequences. If you are drawn to primates, supporting accredited sanctuaries or following conservation organizations focused on primate welfare is a legal and meaningful alternative.