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A sportfishing boat with a tuna tower moored in a Hawaiian harbor beneath green volcanic mountains and palms in evening light

Donate a boat in Hawaii

Hawaii boating is ocean boating: sportfishers out of Kona and Honokohau, sailboats and cruisers in Honolulu's Ala Wai and Keehi harbors, and trailered center consoles across every island. Slips are scarce and wait lists are long, so a boat that stops being used is expensive to keep.

Start your donation here
Two answers now, the rest takes about three minutes.

Hawaii rules for a boat donation

TITLING AND REGISTRATION AGENCY
Hawaii DLNR, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation
Visit the agency site
Registration
Hawaii's Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), part of DLNR, registers vessels. Whether your boat also has a state title depends on the boat; DOBOR can confirm.
Harbor permits
DOBOR also manages state small boat harbors. Mooring and slip permits are separate from the boat and generally do not transfer with a donation.
Documented vessels
Many larger Hawaii boats are Coast Guard documented and transfer through the National Vessel Documentation Center.
Lost title or registration
The owner on record can usually get a duplicate from Hawaii DLNR, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation. If the boat was never retitled after a sale, or the owner has passed away, tell us and we will point you to the right forms.
Coast Guard documented vessels
Documented boats transfer through the National Vessel Documentation Center with a bill of sale, not a Hawaii title. Some documented boats are also registered with the state for use here.

What Hawaii boat owners call us about

Harbor permits and fees
Owners holding a state harbor slip for a boat they no longer use.
Moving to the mainland
Owners relocating who cannot justify shipping a boat across the Pacific.
Trailered boats in the salt air
Center consoles on trailers where corrosion is creeping up.

Boats we pick up in Hawaii

Fishing boats Sportfishers and center consoles. Sailboats Cruising sailboats in Honolulu harbors. Motorboats Trailered runabouts and cruisers.
We also pick up every other kind of boat in Hawaii. The types above are just the ones we see most here.
Yachts Center consoles Houseboats Commercial boats Personal watercraft Classic boats Ski and wake boats Boat trailers Marine equipment

Boating in Hawaii: seasons and storage

The season
Hawaii boats all year, with winter swells affecting some harbors and channels.
Storage and carrying costs
State harbor slips are limited and often have waitlists; many owners keep trailered boats at home. Every month a boat sits unused, those costs keep adding up. Estimate yours.
A typical Hawaii donation
A sportfisher in a small boat harbor or a center console on a trailer. We accept every other kind of boat here too.

Hawaii by region

Pickup works the same across the state. These are the waters we hear about most.

Oahu
Ala Wai, Keehi, Waianae, and Haleiwa harbors.
Maui
Lahaina and Maalaea harbors.
Hawaii Island
Honokohau, Kona, and Hilo.
Kauai
Nawiliwili and Port Allen.

Hawaii boat donation questions

Does my harbor permit transfer with the boat?

Generally no. Harbor permits are managed by DOBOR and are separate from the boat.

Can you pick up a boat on an outer island?

It depends on the island and the boat. Call us and we will tell you what is practical.

Is salt corrosion a problem for donation?

Only if it has gone too far. Send photos of the trailer and engine.

When is the best time of year to donate a boat in Hawaii?

Any time. Owners often donate before a harbor permit renewal comes due.

State rules change. We confirm current requirements when we handle your paperwork. We do not provide tax or legal advice.

Start your Hawaii boat donation

Takes about three minutes. Your best guesses are fine, or call (888) 228-7320.

BWC Donation: General (guides, states, main pages)

Free pickup by our trusted transport team · We handle title transfer and tax paperwork · No cost to you

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