Hawaii Public Safety Grants

Hawaii’s DLNR Restriction

HRS §199-9(f), enacted by Act 237 (2023), says DLNR shall not purchase, operate, otherwise acquire or use an unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity. Unless waived, state funds, including those made available through a contract, grant or cooperative agreement, may not be used by DLNR in connection with such a UAS. “Covered foreign entity” includes specified Commerce screening or Entity Lists, PRC or Russian domicile or government influence/control, Da-Jiang Innovations, and listed affiliates or subsidiaries.

DLNR’s chairperson may grant a case-by-case waiver only to the extent necessary for counter-UAS activities, criminal investigative purposes or exigent circumstances, with governor notification within 15 calendar days. A preferred sensor, cost or general operational advantage alone is not an identified waiver ground. The statute also calls for DLNR program records and annual legislative reports. Other agencies should verify their own rules rather than assuming the DLNR provision automatically governs them.

Federal Money and Distinct Rules

OMB M-26-02 Appendix D sets federal financial-assistance conditions implementing the American Security Drone Act / FASC framework for prohibited UAS procurement and award-connected operations, subject to its terms and exceptions. An agency should identify the exact award, product and use before committing funds.

Section 889 concerns specified telecommunications and video-surveillance equipment; FCC Covered List and equipment authorization are another screen. TAA applies when a covered federal procurement requires it, not automatically to every Hawaii local purchase. Blue UAS status helps vet platforms but is not a substitute for the award, solicitation or security review. Read the full federal comparison.

Hawaii IT and Evidence Security

ETS Secure Device Policy 508 applies to devices connecting to state IT services or accessing and potentially storing protected state data, with applicable minimum standards in Policy 508.01 and possible agency supplements. ETS policies are a starting point for state agencies; counties and other entities should also check their own IT and evidence rules.

For a drone or connected surveillance system, document where footage and telemetry go, account access, cloud and firmware supply chains, encryption, remote administration, retention, CJIS touchpoints where applicable, and how the vendor handles incidents. Do not represent the ETS policy as a drone-origin ban or a universal county rule.

Fit the Equipment to the Grant

CPJAD JAG and direct local JAG are different routes. The FY 2026 State JAG application closed September 25; the direct local notice lists a Grants.gov deadline of October 9 and JustGrants deadline of October 16, 2026 (Eastern time). The FY 2026 local allocation sheet names Honolulu and the counties of Hawaii, Kauai and Maui.

Hawaii OHS administers preparedness and cybersecurity pathways; HDOT’s highway-safety plan targets traffic safety. A general surveillance, drone or camera purchase is not automatically allowable merely because a funding category sounds relevant. Request written program-specific approval and follow controlled-equipment review where applicable.

Flights Across the Islands

Separate purchasing authority from permission to fly. Review FAA airspace resources, authorization and applicable operational requirements for the actual site. Island operations may involve airport airspace, parks, critical facilities and agency property permissions; coordinate the mission with the relevant property manager and public-safety partners.

Practical Hawaii UAS Procurement Checklist

1. 1Identify the buyer and money. Determine whether DLNR is the buyer or operator, whether state or federal funds touch the system, and whether a federal partner or contract adds conditions.
2. 2Screen the aircraft and vendor. Record manufacturer, assembly, affiliates, beneficial ownership and listed entities for the aircraft and relevant components; obtain vendor documentation.
3. 3Apply HRS §199-9 if DLNR is involved. For covered foreign entity UAS, document the statutory prohibition; seek a chairperson waiver only for the three limited statutory purposes when appropriate.
4. 4Read the actual award terms. For federal assistance, review ASDA/FASC prohibited UAS conditions, applicable surveillance restrictions and the program-specific equipment approval process.
5. 5Review the data path. Map video, telemetry, mobile apps, cloud storage, firmware updates, remote access, identity, encryption, logs, retention and incident response.
6. 6Check IT and flight approval. Ask state IT about ETS device and access policies when state services or data are involved; check FAA airspace and mission authorization separately.
7. 7Keep the record. Save grant approvals, vendor representations, network assessment, waiver if applicable, training, operational policy and purchasing documents.