What to expect in Honolulu

Your captain meets your group at the dock, takes you to the scattering spot, and gives you time for words, music, flowers or silence. Afterward, the captain records the coordinates of the scattering so your family always knows where it took place. Biodegradable urns and flowers can be ordered from our memorial store and delivered before your service.

Scattering rules in Honolulu

Captain license
Not required
Inside Honolulu waters
Not settled
Mamala Bay and the Pacific off south Oahu (from Kewalo Basin, Ala Wai and Keehi harbors); Kaiwi (Molokai) Channel; Kaneohe Bay on the windward side
Ocean
3+ nautical miles from land
Federal rule. Report to the EPA within 30 days.
City and County of Honolulu. No county permit; burial-transit permits come from the state DOH Office of Health Status Monitoring (vital records) in Honolulu. Ala Wai and Keehi are DOBOR harbors with commercial permit caps (15% and 35% of berths); Kewalo Basin is managed by the Hawaii Community Development Authority and Honolulu Harbor by the state DOT, so check their own commercial rules. Avoid Pearl Harbor (naval defensive sea area/restricted) and Navy/Marine restricted areas around Kaneohe Bay; Honolulu Harbor has Coast Guard security zones. South shore Oahu waters out to the 100-fathom line are in the humpback whale sanctuary. Do not scatter in Kaneohe Bay or near Waikiki beaches; go past 3 nm.
Full Hawaii guide: permits, paperwork and sources
Last checked October 15, 2026. A summary, not legal advice.