Watch for Sharks at Kona Airport

Question

Only shark I saw in Big Island was a Sheriff deputy writing tickets to any tourist coming out of rental car lots using their hand held cellphones not texting. No signs posted anywhere that Hawaii prohibits talking on cellphone while driving. He give me $350 ticket with no warning. Imo. Complete scam and classic Hawaiian aloha.

Answer

Hawaii has some of the strictest mobile device laws in the U.S., and while it can feel frustrating to receive a citation right after picking up a rental car, the law has been in place statewide for years. Many visitors are unaware because rental car companies don’t always remind drivers, and signage at airports is limited. Still, the rule applies immediately the moment you begin driving—even inside or exiting a rental car lot.

Hawaii law prohibits the use of any handheld electronic device while operating a vehicle. That includes talking on a phone, holding it in your hand, checking a map, or even touching the screen while stopped at a light. Only true hands-free setups (mounted devices or integrated car systems) are allowed. For drivers with no hands-free system, the device must not be touched at all while driving.

Fines vary by county, but a roughly $300+ fine is typical. On the Big Island (Hawaii County), the minimum is around $297 for a first offense, so the amount you were cited is consistent with local law rather than a special “tourist penalty.” Officers are not required to issue a warning, and handheld phone use is one of the most strictly enforced violations near airports statewide.

No posted signs required: Hawaii’s distracted driving law is statewide, meaning it doesn’t need to be posted for enforcement. It is treated the same way as speed limits when unposted or seat belt requirements.
Applies even at low speeds: As soon as the vehicle is in motion on a public roadway, the law applies. Exiting a rental car lot onto an airport road counts.
Handheld use is illegal, even for navigation: Phones must be mounted or controlled via voice. Touching the device is enough for a citation.

If you feel the citation was unfair, Hawaii does allow tourists to contest the ticket, but that usually requires either appearing in person or submitting a written statement with evidence. Most visitors choose to pay the fine due to the logistical challenges of contesting after returning home.

For future visits, the easiest solution is a cheap phone mount or using your rental car’s Bluetooth. Hawaii officers tend to be especially vigilant near airports, school zones, and major intersections. It’s not personal—tourists and locals get cited equally.

Use a dashboard phone mount to display navigation legally.
Pair your device with Bluetooth before driving away from the rental car lot.
Start navigation before moving the car so you can drive hands-free immediately.

It’s an annoying welcome for sure, but you were unfortunately caught under a very commonly enforced rule rather than a targeted situation. Knowing it ahead of time helps avoid it on future Hawaii travels.

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