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Getting on the air at Diamond Head

Information on Hawaii

These pages offer information on amateur radio in Hawaii.

Enjoy, and feel free to drop me an e-mail if you have any questions.


American Radio Relay League

January 18, 2010

The American Radio Relay League in Newington, Connecticut supports amateur radio at the local, regional and national level. It is sponsored by the members in return for a number of benefits, including the monthly magazine QST.

Getting Started

April 6, 2008

There is another set of pages set aside for those who'd like to learn to become a ham radio operator in Hawaii.

Mobile Cellular Telephone Ordinance

June 6, 2009, updated March 10, 2017

Effective July 1, 2014, a new state-wide law Act 175 (14) for mobile electronic devices takes effect. Mobile amateur radio is exempt.

Previously effective July 1, 2013, a state-wide law Act 74 for mobile electronic devices takes effect. It supersedes the county laws. Mobile amateur radio is exempt.

Previously, effective July 1, 2009, you'll need to use a hands-free device if you wish to use your cellular telephone while driving on Oahu. Additionally, mobile amateur radio is exempt. Randy, KH6IB passes along the tip to keep a copy of Bill 4 (2009) the glove compartment of your vehicle.

A similar bill went into effect on the Big Island on January 1, 2010. Kauai's bill passed the full Council on February 3, 2010, and the cell phone ban is effective May 23, 2010. Maui's bill passed the Maui Council on June 18, 2010, and is effective July 6, 2010. You can get further information and the links to the PDF files of the signed bills at the Hawaii mobile cellular telephone legislation web page.

Recapping the cell phone bans by island:

  • Oahu, effective July 1, 2009
  • Big Island, effective January 1, 2010
  • Kauai, effective May 23, 2010
  • Maui, Molokai and Lanai, effective July 6, 2010

On January 25, 2017, Bill 6 (2017) was introduced into the Honolulu City Council which affects the use of mobile electronics. Bill 6, CD1 restricts the use of mobile electronics while crossing the street or highway, and exempts the use of mobile electronics while operating a vessel near Oahu. The exemption for amateur radio is intact. See Bill 6 (2017) for details. On March 7, 2017, it passed out of Committee and scheduled to pass on second reading at the Council. See How A Bill Becomes An Ordinance for details. New

History of Radio and Television in Hawaii

October 24, 2009

If you're interested in the changes to the radio and television industry in Hawaii over the years, this web page will be of interest. There's been so much change, only a portion of it has been captured.

Emergency Incidents

April 14, 2006, updated July 22, 2016

There are quite a number of incidents on Oahu each year that could potentially lead to situations requiring emergency communications.

The response during Hurricane Iniki - September 11, 1992.

The response during the Kiholo earthquake - October 15, 2006.

The response during the Chilean Tsunami - February 27, 2010.

The response during the Tohoku-Sendai, Honshu, Japan Tsunami - March 11, 2011.

The response during the Queen Charlotte Island, British Columbia, Canada Tsunami - October 27, 2012.

The response during the Tropical Storm Flossie - July 29, 2013.

The response during the Chilean Tsunami - April 2, 2014.

The response during the Tropical Storm Iselle - August 7-8, 2014.

The response during the Hurricane Julio - August 9, 2014+.

The response during the Hurricane Karina - August 12, 2014+.

The response during the Tropical Storm Ana - October 14, 2014+.

The response during the Tropical Storm Guillermo - August 2, 2015+.

The response during the Tropical Storm Hilda - August 7, 2015+.

The response during the Tropical Storm Kilo - August 20, 2015+.

The response during the Tropical Storm Ignacio - August 23, 2015+.

The response during the Tropical Storm Jimena - August 28, 2015+.

The response during the Tropical Storm Darby - July 20, 2016+.

The response during the Hurricanes Lester and Madeline - August 29, 2016+.

The response during the Hurricane Lane - August 14, 2018+.

The response during the Hurricane Olivia - September 1, 2018+.

The response during the Hurricane Douglas - July 23, 2020+. New

Missing Man Formation, F-22A, 11/11/11

November 11, 2011

The first Missing Man formation overflight over Punchbowl with the new F-22 stealth fighter. This was at the same time amateur radio operators provided backup contingency communications in support of the APEC Conference in Honolulu.

F-22A stealth fighter Missing Man over Punchbowl, 11/11/11

The EARC Frequency Movie Special Event Station

March 1, 2009

The EARC sponsored a special event station as a public education for amateur radio, and the movie "Frequency".

Find out more by contacting:  rhashiro(remove this part)@hawaiiantel.net
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Updated: July 24, 2020

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