A Guide to Unique Hawai‘i Road Signs and Travel Markers

Driving around Hawai‘i offers more than scenic coastlines and winding mountain routes—it’s also an opportunity to discover a collection of distinctive road signs and markers that reflect the islands’ geography, culture, and safety needs. These signs help residents and visitors navigate both everyday travel and extraordinary natural features. Many are found only in Hawai‘i, making a drive through the islands a small lesson in local heritage and environmental awareness.

Understanding these markers not only enhances safety but deepens appreciation for the land, the people, and the stories embedded in each stretch of road. Below is a guide to some of the most common and meaningful signs found throughout the islands.

Scenic Byway Signage: Windows Into Hawai‘i’s Landscape

Hawai‘i’s designated scenic byways highlight routes rich in natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural value. These markers typically feature distinctive icons or state-specific imagery, signaling that the road ahead has been recognized for its visual or cultural importance.

On the Big Island, for example, scenic byway signs appear along Saddle Road and portions of Hawai‘i Belt Road, directing travelers toward sweeping lava fields, cloud forests, and high-elevation passes. O‘ahu’s scenic byway markers may guide drivers along stretches overlooking Kāne‘ohe Bay or the Ko‘olau Mountains. Maui’s famed roadways—like the Road to Hāna—feature similar signs alerting motorists that the area includes noteworthy viewpoints and protected landscapes.

Scenic byway markers encourage drivers to slow down, take in their surroundings, and consider exploring nearby pullouts or historic points of interest. Although these signs are not directional in the traditional sense, they invite motorists to learn more about local culture, geology, plant life, and community heritage.

Viewpoint Signs: Encouraging Safe Enjoyment of the Islands

Hawai‘i’s viewpoint signs, often illustrated with a small camera symbol or lookout icon, signal designated areas where drivers can safely pull over and enjoy scenic vistas. These markers appear along coastal cliffs, volcanic slopes, lush valleys, and beaches known for their dramatic panoramas.

Unlike informal shoulder stops, official viewpoint turnouts are designed with visibility and adequate spacing in mind. They help prevent unsafe roadside stopping, especially along narrow two-lane highways like those in East Maui or on the cliffs near Kīlauea Point.

Viewpoint signs may also mark locations of cultural or ecological significance. At these stops, informational plaques often explain the history of the area, ground-nesting seabirds, ancient fishing practices, or geological formations. Stopping at these designated points also reduces erosion and protects native plants by keeping foot traffic confined to maintained pathways.

Tsunami Evacuation Route Signs: Essential Markers in Coastal Regions

Because Hawai‘i sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, tsunami awareness and preparedness are an essential part of coastal living. Tsunami evacuation route signs—identified by a wave symbol and directional arrow—guide motorists and pedestrians toward higher ground.

These signs serve multiple purposes:

• Direct evacuation routes: They point inland or uphill toward established safe zones.

• Improve awareness: Motorists unfamiliar with the area quickly understand whether they are in an inundation zone.

• Provide continuity: The signs form a connected path so evacuees can follow them without needing a map.

You will see these markers in many coastal areas, including Waikīkī, Hilo, Līhu‘e, and Kona. They often appear on major roads but also show up in residential areas and near beaches. Many residents use them as geographic reference points, identifying whether a home, business, or hotel sits within a tsunami hazard zone.

Drivers are not expected to use these signs during ordinary travel, but knowing where they are ensures quicker action during emergencies.

“No Parking During Certain Hours” and Special Restriction Signs

Parking regulations in Hawai‘i often reflect local conditions—narrow roads, residential density, surf-spot congestion, and cultural sites requiring protection. Signs specifying restricted parking hours are common around schools, harbors, popular beaches, and areas with limited roadway space.

These signs often appear in the following formats:

• No parking during morning or evening rush hours

• No parking during school pickup and drop-off times

• No parking overnight in beach parks

• No parking during street-sweeping hours

• No parking on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays (or other set days)

Many of these rules serve practical purposes:

• Ensuring the safe passage of emergency vehicles

• Reducing congestion during peak activity

• Protecting culturally sensitive sites

• Maintaining access for cleanup crews or maintenance workers

Unlike some mainland areas, enforcement in popular coastal zones may be stricter to keep tourists from blocking residents, lifeguards, or public-access routes. Observing these signs helps maintain harmony between visitors and the local community.

Place-Name Markers: Cultural Storytelling Through Road Signs

One of the most distinctive markers in Hawai‘i is the place-name sign, which appears at the entrance to cities, towns, and ahupua‘a (traditional land divisions). These signs often include Hawaiian diacritical marks—the kahakō (long vowel marker) and the ‘okina (glottal stop)—both essential for proper pronunciation.

These place-name markers serve several purposes:

• Preserving history: Many names reference legends, land features, winds, rains, or ancestral stories.

• Educating travelers: They help visitors learn correct spelling and pronunciation.

• Affirming cultural identity: Signs reinforce the connection between community identity and the land.

In some areas, such as East Maui or along Kaua‘i’s coastal roadways, additional panels may accompany the signs with historical notes or references to local heritage initiatives. Motorists driving across the islands often find that understanding these place names deepens their appreciation for the land’s cultural landscape.

Other Unique Signs You May Encounter

While the categories above are the most common, several other Hawai‘i-specific markers appear across the islands:

Nēnē Crossing Signs

These yellow diamond signs alert drivers to areas where nēnē—the native Hawaiian goose—frequent roadways. They typically appear near wetlands, golf courses, and upland parks.

Bridge One-Lane Signs

Some rural roads include one-lane bridges, often marked by signs reminding drivers to yield based on established local customs. The signage varies by island but is consistent in meaning.

Falling Rock Zones

Because many roads are carved into cliffs or volcanic slopes, falling-rock warning signs appear more frequently than in most mainland regions.

Hawaiian National Park or Reserve Markers

These signs often carry culturally significant symbols and indicate protected archaeological sites, lava fields, or natural resources.

Each marker plays a role in protecting both natural resources and community well-being.

Short Glossary of Common Hawai‘i Road Sign Terms

Ahupua‘a: A traditional Hawaiian land division stretching from mountain to sea.

Byway: A specially designated route recognized for scenic, cultural, or historical significance.

Inundation Zone: A coastal area that could be flooded during a tsunami.

Kahakō: A macron used in the Hawaiian language to lengthen vowel sounds.

‘Okina: A glottal stop represented by a backwards apostrophe in Hawaiian spelling.

Viewpoint/Lookout: A designated turnout for safely observing scenic landscapes.

Contact Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner

If you or someone close to you has been seriously injured in Hawaii and is seeking legal guidance after a life-changing event, contact Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner at (808) 537-2525 to speak with our personal injury lawyer and learn how our team can provide support, answer your questions, and help you understand the next steps forward.