Short answer: Amplified sound from machines or devices on public property is already restricted by Honolulu city law (Section 41-6.1). A 2024 council bill aimed at Waikiki street performers was deferred in March 2024 and no later vote was found.
Do you need a permit to busk in Honolulu (Waikiki)?
| Permit needed? | Only in some areas or for amplifiers |
| Cost | Not published. Ask City and County of Honolulu. |
| Regulated by | City and County of Honolulu |
| Official page | staradvertiser.com |
The rules in Honolulu (Waikiki)
- Amplifiers. Loud sound from devices on public property is restricted; police said a citation needs the source to be at least 30 feet from the complainant. The 2024 Bill 5 would have made it easier to complain about simply hearing loud amplified noise, but it was deferred.
- Waikiki: council has targeted amplified street performers
Taking card tips on a Honolulu (Waikiki) pitch
Plenty of people stop to listen and then find they have no coins on them. A QR code on a sign beside your case lets them tip in US dollars by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay from their own phone. Visitors can pay with a card from home, and nobody needs an app.
- Print it large. A phone reads a code from about ten times its width, so a 10 cm code works from a metre and an A3 sign from about three.
- Stand it upright at knee to waist height, with your name and one line saying what it is for.
- Playing as a group? One code can split every tip between the members automatically.
The full set-up is in cashless busking: card and phone tips.
Before you play
Read the general advice in busking etiquette and how to choose a busking pitch, and see how Honolulu (Waikiki) compares with other cities on the world busking map.
Sources
Checked in October 2026. Rules and fees change, and enforcement varies from street to street, so confirm with City and County of Honolulu before you play. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Common questions
Do you need a permit to busk in Honolulu (Waikiki)?
Amplified sound from machines or devices on public property is already restricted by Honolulu city law (Section 41-6.1). A 2024 council bill aimed at Waikiki street performers was deferred in March 2024 and no later vote was found.
Can you use an amplifier when busking in Honolulu (Waikiki)?
Loud sound from devices on public property is restricted; police said a citation needs the source to be at least 30 feet from the complainant. The 2024 Bill 5 would have made it easier to complain about simply hearing loud amplified noise, but it was deferred.
Can buskers in Honolulu (Waikiki) take card payments?
Yes. A printed QR code lets listeners tip in US dollars by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay from their own phone, with no card reader to carry or charge.
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