Kalawao County

Kalawao County is the smallest county in the United States by both area and population, occupying just 13 square miles on the remote Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north shore of Molokai Island in Hawaii. With a 2020 Census population of 43 residents, Kalawao County is unique as it has no county seat and is administered directly by the Hawaii State Department of Health. Kalawao County was established in 1905 to be a quarantine area for people affected by Hansen's disease (leprosy), and the settlement at Kalaupapa remains a National Historical Park today. Unlike other Hawaii counties, Kalawao County has no traditional county government structure; instead, it operates under direct state administration with services provided by state agencies. There is no County Recorder, Clerk, or Assessor office located within Kalawao County itself—these functions are performed by state agencies or through Maui County offices. The peninsula is geographically isolated by towering sea cliffs reaching nearly 2,000 feet, accessible only by plane, foot trail, or mule ride. Kalaupapa National Historical Park, established in 1980, preserves the history of the settlement where more than 8,000 people were forcibly relocated between 1866 and 1969. The remaining residents are former patients and their families who chose to stay after Hawaii lifted quarantine restrictions. Kalawao County contains significant archaeological sites, historic churches, and memorials to Father Damien and Mother Marianne Cope, who devoted their lives to caring for Hansen's disease patients. Tourism is strictly controlled and requires permits through the National Park Service.

• The peninsula is geographically isolated by towering sea cliffs reaching nearly 2,000 feet, accessible only by plane, foot trail, or mule ride.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Written requests for arrest records should be submitted to the Maui Police Department Records Division with proper identification and a processing fee.
• Inmate information can be searched through the Hawaii Department of Public Safety's online offender search portal at https://icis.hawaii.gov.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally not publicly available online in Hawaii but may be obtained through formal records requests.

Jail & Inmate Records

• Visitation rules and the bond/bail process follow state guidelines, with bail amounts set according to the severity of the offense and the individual's criminal history.

• Document viewing requires a subscription with fees.
• The Circuit Court Clerk's office maintains an in-person public access terminal for searching and copying case documents, with standard fees of $0.25 per page for copies.
• Certified copies of court documents cost $6.00 per document plus copy fees.
• Probate records, land court documents, and civil case files older than seven years may require additional search time and fees.
• Remote users can register for detailed access through the Judiciary Electronic Filing System (JEFS), though registration fees apply for attorneys and frequent users.

• Regular system access requires registration and prepaid account setup, with document images costing $1.00 per page to view and download.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the Bureau of Conveyances for $2.00 per certification plus $1.00 per page.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Death certificates cost $10.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously, available to immediate family members, legal representatives, or persons with direct and tangible interest.
• Marriage certificates (proof of marriage after the ceremony) are issued by the State Vital Records office for $10.00.
• Online ordering of certified vital records is available through the VitalChek service at https://www.hawaiivitalrecords.org with additional convenience fees.
• Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 338 governs vital records access and confidentiality, restricting access to protect privacy while allowing legitimate requestors to obtain necessary documentation.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• The online database provides free access to business entity names, registration dates, status, registered agents, and principal addresses.
• There is no traditional chamber of commerce for Kalawao County given its small population and unique purpose, though the Molokai Chamber of Commerce at provides regional business information.