Hawaii Public Records

In Hawaii, background checks are governed by the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 92F-1 through § 92F-42). They may include criminal history, sex offender status, court filings, arrest records, and vital statistics. Agencies must respond within 10 business days to respond. The law is administered by Office of Information Practices (OIP), 250 S. Hotel St., Suite 107, Honolulu, HI 96813; (808) 586-1400.

Police reports in Hawaii are public records under the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA). Submit your request to the agency that generated the report. Who may request: Any person - no residency requirement. Response deadline: 10 business days to respond. If access is denied, you may appeal to district or circuit court. Police report requests in Hawaii are processed under the Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act (HRS § 92F-11). Requesters must provide the incident date, location, and the names of parties involved. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) administers state trooper report requests from its records office in Honolulu, HI. For local reports, contact the municipality or county where the incident occurred. Most agencies respond within 10 business days; certified copies are available for court use.

Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) in Hawaii are maintained by the state Department of Health or Vital Statistics. Standard fees: $0.05 per page for photocopies; $5.00 per certified copy; no charge for electron. Certified copies carry separate fee schedules. Fee waivers may be available for journalists, nonprofits, and public-interest requesters - always ask.

The Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) is the state's public school system, serving over 180,000 students in 256 schools across the state. The most recent data from the Hawaii State Department of Education shows that the overall graduation rate for the state is 81.2%, with a four-year cohort graduation rate of 79.2%. The average composite score on the SAT for Hawaii is 1,093, and the average composite score on the ACT is 20.7.

According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, in 2019, Hawaii reported a total of 28,945 index crimes, which is a decrease of 4.2% from the previous year. The violent crime rate in Hawaii was 233.2 per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 380.6 per 100,000 people. The property crime rate in Hawaii was 2,845.2 per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 2,199.5 per 100,000 people.

If you get arrested in Hawaii, you would be taken to the nearest police station or detention center and would then be taken to court for arraignment. Upon arrest in Hawaii, the individual is transported to the county jail or designated detention facility for booking. Booking involves recording personal information, photographing, and fingerprinting. The Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act (HRS § 92F-11) makes most booking information - including charges, bail, and arrest date - accessible to the public. The Hawaii court system handles arraignments, bail hearings, and subsequent proceedings. Contact the Hawaii Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) at Honolulu, HI for rights information.

Yes. Hawaii state and public libraries provide access to public records databases. The Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 92F-1 through § 92F-42) guarantees public access to government documents. Many libraries offer free access to LexisNexis, court records portals, and vital record indexes. Under the Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act (HRS § 92F-11), Hawaii residents can access public records through state and local libraries. The Hawaii State Library, 478 S maintains research collections including historical newspapers, land records, probate files, and legislative archives. Libraries also provide free access to LexisNexis Public Records and other subscription databases not available at home. Reference librarians are available to help navigate Hawaii government records portals and submit public records requests.

The Hawaii State Library is located at 478 South King Street in Honolulu, Hawaii. In addition to its main location, the Hawaii State Library coordinates resources and services for public libraries statewide. Patrons can access LexisNexis, ProQuest Historical Newspapers, and PACER court records indexes through the library. Under the Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act (HRS § 92F-11), government documents are available for public inspection during regular business hours. Reference librarians in Honolulu, HI can assist with inter-library loans, records requests, and genealogical research inquiries.

The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General's Office has a Criminal History Record Check Unit that provides fingerprinting services. The office is located at 465 South King Street, Room 101, Honolulu, HI 96813. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. In addition to Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) facilities in Honolulu, many county sheriff offices and city police departments in Hawaii offer walk-in or appointment fingerprinting. LiveScan electronic fingerprinting is accepted for most Hawaii licensing boards, courts, and employment agencies. The ORI (Originating Agency Identifier) number must be provided by the requesting agency. Fees typically range from $5 to $50 depending on purpose. Results are sent directly to the requester's agency, not to the applicant.