The law in Hawaii
Every turtle or tortoise brought into Hawaii needs an import permit from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity before it ships, plus a vet health certificate, and it must arrive through Honolulu airport for inspection. Sliders, mud and musk turtles and many tortoises are on the restricted list, which allows private ownership only with a permit and an approved site. Any species not on a state list is prohibited.
Selling. Restricted animals need a permit to possess as well as import. If a permit allows transfer or sale, the buyer must first obtain their own possession permit and pass a site inspection. No state rule found beyond the federal 4-inch rule for sales within the state.
Keeping. All Trachemys sliders, all Kinosternon mud turtles, Sternotherus musk turtles, diamondback terrapins, several map turtles, gopher tortoises, Indotestudo, Kinixys and Manouria tortoises sit on Restricted List Part B, which permits private and commercial use under permit with site approval. Some turtles are on the conditionally approved list, which the state did not identify on the page checked. Unlisted animals are prohibited.
Wild turtles. Hawaii has no native freshwater turtles or tortoises. Sea turtles are federally protected. No state collection rule found.
Release. Permits carry conditions requiring the holder to safeguard the animal from escape or unauthorised release. Importing an illegal animal carries up to three years in prison and fines up to $500,000. No separate release statute found.
Who to ask. Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Plant Quarantine Branch (808-832-0566). Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: Hawaii DAB: Importing Turtles and Tortoises (HAR Title 4 Chapter 71); Hawaii DAB: Importing Animals to Hawaii from the U.S. Mainland (HRS Chapter 150A); HAR 4-71-6.5 Permitted introductions (Haw. Code R. 4-71-6.5); HAR Chapter 71 List of Restricted Animals, Part B (Haw. Code R. tit. 4, ch. 71, Restricted Animals Part B). Last checked November 5, 2026. Our confidence in this summary: medium. This is a plain-English reading, not legal advice; the agency has the final word.
Reptile vets
- Kakaako Pet HospitalHonolulu, Hawaii
Full service clinic serving dogs, cats and exotic pets. The site says it also sees turtles, rabbits, mice and birds. 808-592-9999.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in Hawaii yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Hawaii yet.
Sellers that ship here
- Redfoot RanchAlice, Texas
Home-based breeder of red-footed and other tortoises and turtles, formerly in Wimauma, Florida and now in Alice, Texas, selling hatchlings and other sizes by mail order. Ships throughout the continental United States and to Alaska, with pickup possible near Corpus Christi, and its terms state that tortoises and turtles under 4 inches are offered for scientific or educational purposes only. Ships: continental US and AK. 727-421-5542.
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