If you’re someone who loves changing the way your car looks, you’ve probably considered installing underglow lights at some point.
There’s no denying that this modification will grab eyeballs, but it will also attract the wrong kind of attention.
As far as law enforcement is concerned, underglow lights are deemed unnecessary and unsafe as they can be distracting for other people.
That’s why all U.S. states have laid out laws governing the use and installation of underglow lighting, right down to what type of lighting, what colors, what intensity, and what size your lights should be.
In this article, we discuss the legality of neon underglow lights in Hawaii.
Hawaii Laws for Underglow Lights
Underglow lighting isn’t illegal in Hawaii, except in some cases. It’s generally allowed as long as some conditions laid down by the law are met.
All lighting laws, including underglow lights, are outlined in Hawaii’s Vehicle Code. The relevant statutes can be found in Part II: Equipment in Chapter 291: Traffic Violations, under Title 17: Motor and Other Vehicles, in Division 1: Government, of the Code.
Here are the rules you should be following if you want to get underglow lights for your vehicle in Hawaii:
- Light type: Underglow lighting can be LED or neon lighting. Neither type of lighting is banned by Hawaiian law.
- Size: There are no specifications about size for underglow or auxiliary lighting. However, the headlights must sit between 22 and 54 inches above ground level, so your underglow lights must be a maximum of 22 inches above the ground.
- Permitted colors: The law prohibits vehicles from using any red or blue lighting and the license plates must be lit in white.
- Intensity: The headlights shouldn’t exceed 2,400 candlepower, so your underglow lights and your headlights together should be no more than this in intensity.
Are Underglow Neon Lights Legal in Hawaii?
Underglow neon lights are legal in Hawaii as long as you use them safely, responsibly, and in adherence to the law. Red and blue are not permitted as these colors are meant for law enforcement vehicles and emergency vehicles only, as they are in many US states.
Using either color or both together, even if they belong to a series of changing lights, can be punishable with a fine of up $1,000, a year in prison, or both.
Violet and green should also be avoided, as these are also typically used in emergency vehicles.
Flashing lights are expressly forbidden other than in emergency vehicles that are authorized by law. We also recommend that strobes, blinking, rotating, and oscillating lights be avoided; use these on private property or in your driveway, if you must.
State of Hawaii Info
The state of Hawaii is situated in the Western United States. It comprises a group of islands that are located in the Pacific Ocean and away from the continent itself.
The state ranks 8th in the country in terms of size and is also not highly populated. Agriculture is quite common here, although the state’s main economy comes from tourism.
Population: 1,441,553
Capital: Honolulu
Registered vehicles: 516,544
Total lane miles: 9,799
Number of Highways: 3
Underglow light law reference: 2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes