Food trucks in Hawaii
Hawaii licenses food trucks at the state level. The Department of Health's Food Safety Branch issues Food Establishment Permits for lunch wagons, push carts and other mobile units through its offices on Oahu, in Hilo and Kona, on Maui and on Kauai, and most mobile units must also use a permitted support kitchen. HDOH issues only the food permit: where a truck may park and sell falls under other agencies' rules, and on Oahu a City and County of Honolulu peddler's license is required.
Who issues food truck permits in Hawaii
Licensed by the state
HDOH says most mobile food establishments need a support kitchen: a brick-and-mortar food establishment with a current permit that can support the menu and operation. Home kitchens do not qualify, and a Support Kitchen Use Agreement signed by the kitchen's owner must be renewed each year with the permit. Source ↗
Hawaii does not have a sales tax. It uses the general excise tax (GET), assessed on business activity at 4% for most sales, plus a 0.5% county surcharge in Honolulu, Kauai, Hawaii and Maui counties. A GET license is required and has a one-time $20 registration fee (as listed on the Department of Taxation on 2026-10-03). Source ↗
The Food Safety Branch posts NFPA's food truck fire safety fact sheet, which covers fire extinguishers, gas system checks before each use and 10 feet of clearance from buildings, vehicles and combustibles. HDOH's mobile guide also says generators may be set outside the unit because of fire hazards. Check with your county fire department for local inspections. Source ↗
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Questions and answers
Who issues food truck permits in Hawaii?
The Hawaii Department of Health's Food Safety Branch issues Food Establishment Permits statewide, including for lunch wagons and push carts. You apply through the office for your island. HDOH issues only the food permit, so where you may park and sell is set by other agencies, such as the City and County of Honolulu on Oahu.
Can I use my home kitchen as a support kitchen in Hawaii?
No. HDOH says home kitchens do not qualify. A support kitchen must be a food establishment with a current HDOH permit, and its owner signs a Support Kitchen Use Agreement that is renewed each year with your permit.
Can I cook outside my food truck in Hawaii?
No. HDOH's mobile guide says all food handling must happen inside the unit and all equipment must be on board or attached. A trailer attached by a hitch may be allowed for cooking only, and generators may be set outside because of fire hazards.
Do Hawaii food trucks charge sales tax?
Hawaii has no sales tax. Businesses pay the general excise tax (GET), 4% on most sales plus a 0.5% county surcharge in Honolulu, Kauai, Hawaii and Maui counties, and need a GET license with a one-time $20 registration fee, as listed on the Department of Taxation on 2026-10-03.
Sources
Facts checked against official sources on October 3, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the agency before you apply.
- health.hawaii.gov/san/permit-applications/
- health.hawaii.gov/san/permit-applications/food-establishment-permit-applications/
- health.hawaii.gov/san/contact-us/
- health.hawaii.gov/san/about-us/
- health.hawaii.gov/san/food-information/
- health.hawaii.gov/san/files/2021/10/how-to-start-a-mobile-FE-rev-10.2021.pdf
- health.hawaii.gov/san/files/2023/05/Food_Truck_Infomation_Mar_2022-CC.pdf
- health.hawaii.gov/san/files/2025/02/Food-Truck-Fire-Safety.pdf
- health.hawaii.gov/san/files/2022/05/FOOD-EST-APPLICATION-08-2021-OAHU.pdf
- tax.hawaii.gov/get/FAQ/
- www.honolulu.gov/csd/business-license/