Overview
One thing DOBOR fees don't cover: if you keep the boat at a state small-boat harbor, mooring or slip fees are a completely separate monthly charge from the harbors program, billed independent of your annual registration. Most human-powered craft - kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards - don't need DLNR registration at all; it's aimed at motorized and larger sailing vessels. Run the numbers for your vessel below.
01 - Official fees
Hawaii boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New registration, under 20 ft | $25.00 | |
| New registration, 20 ft and over | $40.00 | |
| Annual renewal, under 20 ft | $20.00 | |
| Annual renewal, 20 ft and over | $35.00 | |
| New certificate of title | $20.00 | |
| Ownership transfer (title + registration) | $30.00 | |
| Replacement certificate of title | $50.00 | |
| GET on dealer boat sale | 4.712% | private-party boat sales are typically exempt, same as cars |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county motor vehicle registration office (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaiʻi, or Kauaʻi) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Hawaii
- 1
Get the signed-over title (or dealer paperwork) proving ownership.
- 2
Complete DOBOR's vessel registration/titling application (available online at vessel.ehawaii.gov).
- 3
Submit at a DOBOR district office, or online for renewals, with proof of ownership and ID.
- 4
Pay the registration fee by length class, plus the title fee for a new title or the combined transfer fee for a used-boat purchase.
- 5
Display your Hawaii registration numbers and current decal on the hull as DOBOR specifies.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Hawaii vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Hawaii boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Hawaii?
New registration is $25 for vessels under 20 feet and $40 for 20 feet and over. Annual renewal is cheaper - $20 and $35 respectively. A first-time title adds $20, or $30 if you're doing an ownership transfer that bundles title and registration together.
Do kayaks or paddleboards need to be registered with DLNR?
Generally no - DOBOR's registration requirement targets vessels with mechanical propulsion and larger sailing craft, not human-powered kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards. Add a trolling motor to a kayak and that typically brings it into the registration requirement.
Is boat registration handled by my county, like a car?
No - this is the opposite of vehicle registration. Cars register with your county; boats register statewide with DLNR's Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, regardless of which island you live on.
Do I pay GET on a used boat bought from a private seller?
Generally not, for the same reason private car sales are exempt - GET only reaches business activity, so a genuine person-to-person boat sale isn't taxed. Buying from a boat dealer is different: that sale carries the same 4.712% visible GET rate a car dealer charges.
Where do mooring fees fit into this?
They don't - mooring, berthing, and slip fees at state small-boat harbors are billed by DOBOR's harbors program separately from vessel registration, usually monthly and based on your boat's length and the specific harbor. Registering your boat doesn't include a place to keep it.
What if I lose my boat's title or registration decal?
A replacement certificate of title is $50. Contact your local DOBOR office for a replacement registration decal - bring your registration number and ID.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.