The 808 area code is the single area code serving the entire state of Hawaii, covering all of the islands from Honolulu on Oahu to Hilo on the Big Island. Assigned in 1957, two years before Hawaii became a state, 808 has served the whole island chain by itself ever since and is one of the most recognizable area codes in the country.
Quick Summary of the 808 Area Code
| Area Code | 808 |
| State | Hawaii (HI) |
| Region | Statewide Hawaii (all islands) |
| Major Cities | Honolulu, Pearl City, Hilo, Kailua, Kaneohe, Waipahu, Kahului, Kihei |
| Time Zone | Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST) – no daylight saving |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 808 area code covers all of Hawaii, spanning every inhabited island in the chain. It includes the city of Honolulu and the rest of Oahu (Pearl City, Kailua, Kaneohe, and Waipahu), the island of Maui (Kahului, Kihei, and Lahaina), the Big Island of Hawaii (Hilo and Kailua-Kona), the island of Kauai (Lihue), and the smaller islands of Molokai and Lanai. There is no neighboring area code on land – the nearest codes are more than 2,000 miles away on the U.S. mainland.
Time Zone
The 808 area code observes Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST, UTC−10), and like Arizona, Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time – the islands keep the same clock all year. This makes Hawaii one of the farthest-behind time zones in the United States. In winter, Hawaii is two hours behind the West Coast; in summer, when California and the mainland spring forward and Hawaii does not, it falls three hours behind Pacific Time. A 9:00 AM call from Los Angeles reaches an 808 number at 6:00 AM local time during the summer, so it pays to mind the difference when scheduling calls.
Tip: Business hours across the 808 region generally run 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Hawaii time, Monday through Friday – remember that this is several hours behind the U.S. mainland.
How to Dial a 808 Number
Area code 808 is not part of an overlay, and as the only area code in Hawaii it has traditionally allowed 7-digit local dialing within the state. However, 10-digit dialing is now the recommended nationwide standard, and dialing the full 10-digit number (808 + the seven-digit line number) always works reliably. Note that calls between the islands, although all within area code 808, are billed as long-distance interisland calls by many carriers. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 808, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 808 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 808 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Honolulu, Pearl City, Hilo, Kailua, Kaneohe, Waipahu, Kahului, Kihei should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest unless you pay immediately. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake Hawaiian Electric reps demanding payment to avoid disconnection. |
| Vacation Rental Scam | Fraudulent Hawaii vacation rental or timeshare listings that vanish after you pay a deposit. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
If you receive a suspicious call from an 808 number, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Do not share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone.
- Hang up and verify by calling the organization back using an official number from its website.
- Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection.
- Block the number and consider registering with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Red Flag: Legitimate agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or your local utility company (Hawaiian Electric or KIUC) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 808 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 808 Region
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Area code 808 was assigned to Hawaii in 1957, before the territory became the 50th state in 1959, and it has covered the entire island chain ever since – making it one of the last single-area-code states in the nation. The “808” has become a cultural symbol of local identity, appearing on everything from clothing brands to music. The regional economy is led by tourism, which draws millions of visitors each year to Waikiki, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. The military is another pillar, with major installations on Oahu including Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Schofield Barracks. Honolulu anchors state government, shipping, and the University of Hawaii, while agriculture – Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, and tropical fruit – and the world-class astronomy observatories atop Mauna Kea round out a diverse island economy.
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Looking Up an 808 Number
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To identify an 808 caller, use a reverse phone lookup service or search the full 10-digit number online. Many Hawaii businesses, resorts, and government offices list their 808 numbers publicly, so a quick search often confirms a legitimate caller. For unknown numbers, let the call go to voicemail – genuine callers usually leave a message, while robocallers and scammers rarely do.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Hawaii is served by the single 808 area code, with no neighboring codes on land. The nearest U.S. area codes are more than 2,000 miles away on the West Coast of the mainland:
- 213 – Los Angeles, California
- 415 – San Francisco, California
- 206 – Seattle, Washington
- 503 – Portland, Oregon
- 702 – Las Vegas, Nevada
You can also browse our full directory of Hawaii area codes for more regional guides.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 808 area code located?
The 808 area code covers the entire state of Hawaii, including Honolulu and Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island (Hilo and Kailua-Kona), and the smaller islands of Molokai and Lanai.
Does Hawaii have more than one area code?
No. Hawaii is served entirely by the single 808 area code, one of the few states in the country still covered by just one code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 808?
As the only area code in Hawaii, 808 has historically allowed 7-digit local dialing, but dialing the full 10 digits is now the recommended standard and always works. Interisland calls may be billed as long distance.
What time zone is the 808 area code in?
The 808 area code observes Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST, UTC−10) year-round, and Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time.
Related 808 Guides
- Is a 808 call safe? Read Is area code 808 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Honolulu area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.