Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 7 — Miscellaneous Rights of the People

Division 1. Government — Title 1. General Provisions

Hawaii Revised Statutes as published by the Hawaii State Legislature (files updated 1/5/2026 7:14 PM).

Division 1 Government

Title 1 General Provisions

Chapter 7 Miscellaneous Rights of the People

§7-1 Building materials, water, etc.; landlords' titles subject to tenants' use

Where the landlords have obtained, or may hereafter obtain, allodial titles to their lands, the people on each of their lands shall not be deprived of the right to take firewood, house-timber, aho cord, thatch, or ki leaf, from the land on which they live, for their own private use, but they shall not have a right to take such articles to sell for profit. The people shall also have a right to drinking water, and running water, and the right of way. The springs of water, running water, and roads shall be free to all, on all lands granted in fee simple; provided that this shall not be applicable to wells and watercourses, which individuals have made for their own use.

[CC 1859, §1477; RL 1925, §576; RL 1935, §1694; RL 1945, §12901; RL 1955, §14-1; HRS §7-1]

§7-2 Driftwood

All wood of any description which may drift on to the beach of any part of the State shall be the property of the finder, and anyone finding such driftwood may take the same for the finder's own private use, without paying a share to the State; provided that this section shall not be construed to apply to any vessel wrecked or stranded on any part of the shores of the State.

[CC 1859, §1478; RL 1925, §577; RL 1935, §1695; RL 1945, §12902; RL 1955, §14-2; HRS §7-2; gen ch 1985]

§7-3 Repealed

§ 7-3 REPEALED. L 1988, c 375, §3.