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Category 13 of 25 · Hawaii

Honey

Raw & Processed Honey, Comb & Creamed Honey

Cottage Food Eligible + HDOA Apiary Registration
Cottage eligible
Food label
HDOA apiary registration
Beekeeping
HDOA Plant Industry
Agency
Infant-botulism warning
Key rule

What's Covered / What Needs More

✓ What's Covered

  • Raw, creamed, and comb honey sold direct under the cottage food exemption
  • Registering your apiary/hives with HDOA's Plant Industry Division, which helps track and manage Varroa mite and small hive beetle spread
  • Wholesale of packaged honey to permitted retailers under Act 195
  • Selling flavored/infused honey as long as any add-ins are themselves shelf-stable and disclosed

✕ Needs More

  • Keeping unregistered hives — Hawaii's apiary rules exist specifically to help contain Varroa mite and small hive beetle, both established pest threats to the state's bee population
  • Omitting the infant botulism warning, net weight, or date produced from a honey label — these are honey-specific label additions on top of standard cottage labeling
  • Moving bees, comb, or hive equipment between islands without checking current HDOA interisland pest-quarantine rules
  • Selling without the food-safety course, even though honey itself needs no separate food permit

How to Get Compliant

A

Register your apiary with HDOA

Hive registration supports the state's Varroa mite/small hive beetle monitoring program and may be required depending on current HDOA rules — confirm with the Plant Industry Division.

B

Complete the cottage food requirements

Food-safety course, then label with the home-kitchen disclaimer, net weight, date produced, and the mandatory infant botulism warning.

C

Sell through any authorized channel

Direct, online, in-state shipping, and wholesale (non-TCS) are all open under Act 195.

Quick Reference

Sales ChannelRequirementNotes
Raw/comb/creamed honey, direct saleCottage course + honey-specific labelNo food permit required
Hive/apiary operationHDOA apiary registrationSupports pest (Varroa/SHB) tracking
Wholesale to a storeCottage course + label, non-TCSAct 195 (2025) opened this channel
Interisland hive/equipment movementCheck current HDOA quarantine rulesPest-control measure, confirm before moving

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to sell my honey?
No HDOH food permit is required — honey is cottage-food eligible — but confirm your apiary registration status with HDOA.
What's the infant botulism warning?
A required label statement warning that honey should not be fed to infants under 12 months due to botulism spore risk — this applies on top of the standard cottage labeling.
Why does Hawaii care about hive registration?
To help monitor and slow the spread of Varroa mite and small hive beetle, both serious threats to Hawaii's bee populations and agriculture.
Can I sell flavored honey (e.g., with lilikoi)?
Yes, as long as any added ingredient is itself shelf-stable and disclosed on the label.

Printable Checklist