Issued by Hawaii Department of Health, Food Safety Branch (formerly the Sanitation Branch), through its office on each island, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
The state, not the county, permits food on every island. Submit plans to the branch office for review before building out or converting a space, pass the pre-opening inspection, then post the permit and the color-coded inspection placard. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream shops are all food establishments under the code. Ask the Food Safety Branch (Oahu office 808-586-8000) for the fee row that matches your establishment before budgeting.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Hawaii Department of Health, Food Safety Branch (formerly the Sanitation Branch), through its office on each island.
Sources and dates
HAR chapter 11-50 (Food Safety Code), section 11-50-7 (fees) and table 7-1; Food Safety Branch food establishment permit application. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. The state, not the county, permits food on every island.
Yes. The state, not the county, permits food on every island.
Yes. The state, not the county, permits food on every island.
Yes. The state, not the county, permits food on every island.
Yes. The state, not the county, permits food on every island.
Yes. The state, not the county, permits food on every island.
Yes. The state, not the county, permits food on every island.
Yes. The state, not the county, permits food on every island.
Yes. The state, not the county, permits food on every island.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Hawaii it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
Hawaii Department of Health, Food Safety Branch (formerly the Sanitation Branch), through its office on each island.
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a food establishment permit in Hawaii? | DoorWorthy
