Scattering Ashes in Hawaii — A Complete Guide

Everything Hawaii (aka Hawaiʻi) families need to know about ash scattering laws, the Pacific Ocean, national parks, state parks, burial at sea permits, and verified cemetery cremation garden options across the Hawaiian Islands.

Author's Note: I have not visited Hawaii, but a high school friend went to college there, and has loved it ever since. Her passion for plants and biology comes through at Aqualife Unlimited Inc., a company that specializes in maintenance of ponds, aquariums, and other water features. She is a huge advocate and ambassador for Hawaii!

If you are thinking of scattering ashes in the state of Hawaii, it may be helpful to know the official symbols:

  • State Flower: Pua Aloalo — Yellow Hibiscus 🌺
  • State Tree: Kukui (Candlenut) 🌴
  • State Bird: Nēnē (Hawaiian Goose) 🦆
  • State Gem: Black Coral 🪸
  • State Song: "Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī" 🎶
  • State Motto: "Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono" (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness) 🌿

Note: Hawaii's official State Flower is specifically the yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei, also called pua aloalo or maʻo hau hele), designated in 1988 under HRS § 5-16 as an endangered endemic species found only in Hawaii. The popular red and pink hibiscus seen across the islands are the non-native Chinese hibiscus and are not the official state flower. Hawaii's official State Gem is black coral (§ 5-15, 1987) — a slow-growing deep-reef animal found in Hawaiian waters, traditionally harvested for jewelry. Hawaii has no officially designated State River in its statutes.

How Prevalent Is Ash Scattering in Hawaii?

Hawaii has one of the highest cremation rates in the nation — approximately 78% as of 2020, reflecting the islands' geography, limited land availability, and deeply held cultural connections to the ocean. With scarce land and sacred Native Hawaiian burial traditions, cremation has long been the dominant choice for final disposition across the archipelago. Ash scattering — especially burial at sea — is a deeply meaningful practice across Hawaiian cultural traditions.

Hawaii's landscapes offer some of the most profound settings in the world for a final farewell. The eight main islands collectively span extraordinarily varied terrain: Oʻahu holds Honolulu and the windward Ko'olau Mountains, whose sheer emerald cliffs drop from cloud-level to the sea. Mauiʻs Haleakalā Crater is the world's largest dormant volcanic crater — over 10,000 feet above the Pacific, where dawn breaks over a landscape compared to the surface of the moon. The Big Island of Hawaii is the only place in the state where active lava flows into the ocean, creating new land in real time at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Kauaʻi's Nā Pali Coast is among the most dramatic coastlines on Earth — fluted green sea cliffs rising 4,000 feet directly from the Pacific. Molokaʻi's Kalaupapa Peninsula, accessible only by mule trail or small plane, is the site of the historic Hansen's disease settlement where Father Damien served. And throughout the archipelago, the Pacific Ocean itself — its warm blue waters, its sunsets, its sense of vast space — has always been the most meaningful backdrop for Hawaiian farewell.

Hawaii Laws on Scattering Ashes

Hawaii has one of the most permissive ash scattering frameworks in the nation. Key statutes and regulations:

  • Haw. Rev. Stat. § 441-5.5 — Family burial plots recognized.
  • Haw. Rev. Stat. § 338-9 — Death certificate must be filed with the Department of Health within three days of death.
  • Haw. Rev. Stat. § 338-23 — The burial-transit permit also authorizes cremation — no separate cremation permit is required.
  • No statewide restrictions on scattering locations: Hawaii has no state laws controlling where ashes may be kept or scattered. Common sense and courtesy are the practical guides for land-based scattering.

Rules by location type:

  • Private Property (your own): No state restriction. Permitted freely.
  • Private Property (someone else's): Get written permission from the landowner.
  • State Parks: Contact the specific Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks office before any ceremony. Some state parks may have their own guidance. Contact the DLNR at (808) 587-0300 or via dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp.
  • National Parks (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, Haleakalā, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau): NPS regulations (36 CFR 2.62) require advance contact with each park's superintendent and a Special Use Permit, regardless of group size. Contact Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at (808) 985-6000 or Haleakalā National Park at (808) 572-4400 before any ceremony.
  • Pacific Ocean — Burial at Sea: Federal Clean Water Act requires scattering at least 3 nautical miles from shore. The EPA Region 9 office must be notified within 30 days of any ocean scattering.
  • Large ocean ceremonies: For ceremonies involving 14 or more people or multiple vessels, a free ocean event permit must be obtained from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), at least 14 days in advance. Contact DOBOR at (808) 587-1975.
  • Small ocean ceremonies: For fewer than 14 participants aboard a single vessel, no permit is required, but the 3-nautical-mile federal rule and 30-day EPA notification still apply.
  • Aerial Scattering: No Hawaii law restricts aerial scattering. Federal aviation regulations (14 CFR 91.15) apply — ashes must be removed from any container before release.
  • Native Hawaiian cultural practices: HRS § 711-1108 explicitly recognizes that burial or cremation consistent with traditional Hawaiian cultural customs and practices is not a violation of the law.

Cemetery Cremation Gardens and Memorial Options in Hawaii

Valley of the Temples Memorial Park — Kāneʻohe (Oʻahu)

Location: 47-200 Kahekili Highway, Kāneʻohe, HI 96744 Phone: (808) 725-2798

Valley of the Temples Memorial Park is one of the most breathtaking cemetery settings in the world — a 240-acre park nestled against the sheer emerald walls of the Koʻolau Mountain Range on Oʻahuʻs windward side, with sweeping views to the Pacific and some of the most serene grounds in the Hawaiian Islands. Founded in 1963, the park has evolved into a full-service cemetery, crematory, and funeral facility that serves Oʻahuʻs families of every faith, culture, and background — with dedicated sections for Buddhist, Shinto, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, and Jewish communities, as well as a pet cemetery, all coexisting peacefully within the same grounds.

The park's most iconic feature is the Byodo-In Temple — a non-practicing replica of the 900-year-old Byodo-In Temple in Uji, Japan, constructed in 1968 to commemorate the centennial of the first Japanese immigrant arrival in Hawaiʻi. Set against the Koʻolau cliffs at the head of the valley, surrounded by koi ponds, a 3-ton ceremonial bell, and a 9-foot Amida Buddha, the Byodo-In draws thousands of visitors annually who come simply to experience its tranquility. Wild peacocks roam the grounds freely.

Valley of the Temples' own primary website explicitly confirms a Koʻolau View Cremation Garden among its cemetery sections, alongside the Anela Nature Garden, Eono Nature Garden, Ocean View Terrace, and Haka Gardens. Their cemetery options page confirms cremation gardens featuring beautifully landscaped areas with boulders, pedestals, and memorial benches. The Ocean View Terrace was designed in consultation with a world-renowned feng shui master. Contact Valley of the Temples at (808) 725-2798 for cremation garden options and scattering arrangements.

Website: valley-of-the-temples.com

Oʻahu Cemetery & Crematory — Honolulu (Oʻahu)

Location: 2162 Nuʻuanu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96817 Phone: (808) 538-1538

Oʻahu Cemetery is Hawaii's oldest public cemetery — a 18-acre historic grounds at the base of Nuʻuanu Valley, continuously operating since November 1844. Founded during the height of the whaling era, when Honolulu's rapidly growing international population needed a non-sectarian burial ground, it was established through subscriptions on 59 plots of $12 each, with the first recorded burial an American sailor in 1844. In 1906, the first public crematory in the entire Hawaiian Islands — designed by architect Oliver G. Traphagen — opened on the cemetery grounds. During World War II, the crematory played an unusual role in national defense, burning $200 million in paper currency the U.S. government feared falling into Japanese hands if an invasion occurred.

Today the cemetery encompasses 18 acres of manicured grounds, peaceful footpaths, an ornamental garden, sweeping willow trees, and tranquil lakeside views. The grounds hold the largest collection of 19th-century grave art in Hawaii, with over 25,000 people interred including missionaries, politicians, Hawaiian royalty–adjacent figures, and prominent early residents. The Kyoto Gardens columbarium — two structures including a National Register of Historic Places–listed replica Buddhist temple — was added in 1964 for above-ground inurnment of cremated remains. Contact Oʻahu Cemetery at (808) 538-1538 to inquire about cremation options and any current scattering arrangements.

Website: oahucemetery.org

Maui Memorial Park — Wailuku (Maui)

Location: 1275 Waiale Road, Wailuku, HI 96793 Phone: (808) 244-5900

Maui Memorial Park is Mauiʻs premier memorial park and cemetery — a 17-acre garden sanctuary in the heart of Wailuku, founded in 1964 as the Valley Isleʻs first professionally planned and landscaped modern memorial park. Set amid Mauiʻs characteristic landscapes with views to the West Maui Mountains, the park was designed from the outset to provide religious memorials for all faiths, and has served Maui families across cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds for more than six decades.

The park offers a full range of cremation and burial services, honoring both Hawaiian traditions and the diverse cultural customs of Mauiʻs community. Their primary website highlights ocean scattering as one of the most personally meaningful options for Maui families — consistent with the island's deep cultural and spiritual connection to the sea. Contact Maui Memorial Park at (808) 244-5900 to inquire about cremation garden options, scattering services, columbarium niches, and current availability.

Website: mauimemorialpark.com

Are There Mail-In Options for Ash Scattering Services?

Yes. Hawaii families — or families anywhere honoring a loved one — may choose Farmstead Scattering Garden in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania. Cremated remains are mailed directly to the working farm, where they are scattered respectfully according to the family's chosen preferences. No travel required.

Visit our service page at farmsteadscattering.com/collections/services, or call or text us at (814) 450-5432 to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scattering Ashes in Hawaii

Is it legal to scatter ashes in Hawaii?

Yes. Hawaii has no statewide laws restricting where ashes may be scattered. For ocean scattering, the federal Clean Water Act requires a minimum of 3 nautical miles from shore. For large ocean ceremonies (14+ people), a free ocean event permit is required from DLNR/DOBOR at least 14 days in advance.

Do I need a permit for ocean ash scattering in Hawaii?

For small gatherings (fewer than 14 people, single vessel): no state permit is required, but the federal EPA must be notified within 30 days. For large gatherings (14 or more people or multiple vessels): a free ocean event permit from the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) is required at least 14 days in advance. Contact DOBOR at (808) 587-1975 or dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor.

Can I scatter ashes at Hawaii Volcanoes or Haleakalā National Parks?

Yes, with a Special Use Permit. These parks — along with all NPS-managed sites — require advance contact with the park superintendent and a permit regardless of group size. Contact Hawaii Volcanoes at (808) 985-6000 or Haleakalā at (808) 572-4400. Permit applications should be submitted well in advance.

Can I scatter ashes on the beach in Hawaii?

The federal Clean Water Act governs ocean scattering at least 3 nautical miles from land. Beach scattering at the shoreline is not covered by the ocean scattering provision. For state park beaches, contact the DLNR Division of State Parks at (808) 587-0300. Many families choose to scatter from a boat beyond the 3-mile limit as the most meaningful and legally clear option.

Does Valley of the Temples have a cremation garden?

Yes — confirmed from their own primary website. Valley of the Temples explicitly lists a Koʻolau View Cremation Garden among its cemetery sections, and their cemetery options page confirms beautifully landscaped cremation gardens featuring boulders, pedestals, and benches. Contact (808) 725-2798.

What is the black coral and why is it Hawaii's State Gem?

Black coral (Family Antipathidae) is designated as Hawaii's official state gem under HRS § 5-15, enacted in 1987. Despite the name, the living coral can be red, orange, brown, green, yellow, or white — only the skeleton is black. The 14 species found in Hawaii live on deep reef slopes at significant depth, where they create habitat for unique marine communities. Hawaiians traditionally ground black coral branches into medicinal powder and believed it could ward off evil. It is harvested for jewelry, though slow growth rates make sustainable collection a significant conservation concern.

Is the red hibiscus Hawaii's state flower?

No. Hawaii's official state flower is specifically the yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei, pua aloalo / maʻo hau hele), designated by the state legislature in 1988 (HRS § 5-16). It is an endangered species found only in Hawaii. The commonly seen red and pink hibiscus are non-native Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) and its hybrids — beautiful but not the official state flower.

Does Hawaii have a State River?

No. Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 5 lists all official state symbols and contains no state river designation. The Wailuku River on the Big Island — Hawaii's longest river — is significant geographically and culturally, but has never been designated an official state symbol.

Can I mail ashes for scattering from Hawaii?

Yes. Cremated remains may be mailed within the United States via the U.S. Postal Service using Priority Mail Express. Farmstead Scattering Garden in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania accepts mail-in remains for private farm scattering. Call or text (814) 450-5432 or visit farmsteadscattering.com.

What is the significance of traditional Hawaiian ash scattering practices?

Scattering cremated remains in the ocean holds deep spiritual significance in Hawaiian culture, reflecting the belief that the ocean is the source and return point of life — kai (sea) as the great connector. HRS § 711-1108 explicitly recognizes that cremation and burial consistent with traditional Hawaiian cultural customs and practices are not violations of Hawaii law. Families honoring a loved one with native Hawaiian ancestry may wish to consult cultural practitioners about appropriate protocols and locations.

Legal and Regulatory References

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