About 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 82 residents, Kalawao County is unique as it has no county seat and is administered directly by the Hawaii State Department of Health. The county was established in 1905 to serve as a quarantine area for individuals affected by Hansen's disease (leprosy), and the settlement at Kalaupapa remains a National Historical Park today.
- The peninsula is geographically isolated by towering sea cliffs reaching nearly 2,000 feet, accessible only by plane, foot trail, or mule ride.
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 the county itself—these functions are performed by state agencies or through Maui County offices. 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. The 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.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Kalawao County does not have a traditional sheriff's office due to its unique administrative structure. Law enforcement services are provided by the Hawaii Department of Public Safety, which oversees public safety and law enforcement across the state, including in Kalawao County. The department is responsible for maintaining peace and order, processing arrests, and ensuring the safety of residents and visitors. While there is no county jail, the department coordinates with state facilities for the detention of individuals arrested in the county.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Kalawao County is primarily handled by the Hawaii Department of Public Safety, as the county does not have its own police department. The department provides comprehensive law enforcement services, including patrols and investigations. There are no city or municipal police departments within Kalawao County due to its small population and unique administrative structure. Coordination with other state and federal agencies ensures that major crimes and incidents are effectively managed.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement services in Kalawao County are provided by the Hawaii Department of Public Safety and the Maui County Police Department, as the county has no independent sheriff's office or police department. The Maui Police Department's jurisdiction extends to Kalawao County through a cooperative agreement with the State of Hawaii. Emergency calls from the peninsula are coordinated through the Maui Police Department dispatch at (808) 244-6400, with the main headquarters located at 55 Mahalani Street, Wailuku, HI 96793.
- 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.
Arrest records for incidents occurring in Kalawao County are maintained by the Maui Police Department and can be requested under Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (Chapter 92F, Hawaii Revised Statutes), which governs public access to government records. Kalawao County does not operate its own jail or detention facility; any individuals arrested within the county are transported to the Maui Community Correctional Center located at 600 Waiale Drive, Wailuku, HI 96793, phone (808) 243-5155. There are no municipal police departments within Kalawao County as the settlement at Kalaupapa is unincorporated with no city governments.
The National Park Service also maintains law enforcement rangers who have jurisdiction within Kalaupapa National Historical Park boundaries for federal offenses.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Kalawao County is integrated with the state of Hawaii's records management. Criminal records include felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and sex offender registry information. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, part of the Department of the Attorney General, maintains these records. Residents can request background checks through the center's online portal, which provides access to statewide criminal history information.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Kalawao County are maintained by the Hawaii Department of Public Safety. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and personal information of the individual arrested. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records through the department's official channels, often requiring a formal written request or an online submission. The records provide comprehensive details such as the date of arrest, charges, and any court proceedings.
Jail & Inmate Records
Kalawao County does not have its own jail facility. Individuals arrested in the county are typically processed and held in state-run facilities on the island of Oahu or other parts of Hawaii. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information. Inmate lookup services are available through the Hawaii Department of Public Safety's online portal, which provides information on current detainees.
- 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.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Kalawao County are taken and retained by the Hawaii Department of Public Safety. These booking photos are part of the arrest record and can be accessed through the department's online services. While the department does not typically publish mugshots online, they can be requested as part of an arrest record. Hawaii does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals can petition for removal or sealing of records under certain circumstances, such as expungement or if charges are dropped.
Courts & Case Records
Kalawao County falls under the jurisdiction of the Second Circuit Court of Hawaii, headquartered in Wailuku, Maui County. The Second Circuit Court is located at 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793, phone (808) 244-2800, and handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters originating in Kalawao County. District Court matters are heard by the District Court of the Second Circuit at 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793, phone (808) 244-2800, which has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims up to $40,000, and landlord-tenant disputes.
- 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.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Kalawao County are maintained by the Bureau of Conveyances, State of Hawaii, located at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone (808) 587-0134. Hawaii operates under a bureau system rather than county recorders for real property documents. The Bureau of Conveyances provides online document search and imaging through the Hawaii Land Information System at https://buyrealdocs.ehawaii.gov, where users can search by grantor/grantee name, document number, or tax map key (TMK) parcel identifier.
- 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.
Recorded documents include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, assignments, mechanic's liens, easements, covenants, and subdivision plat maps. Property tax assessment records for Kalawao County are administered by the Real Property Assessment Division of Maui County at 70 East Kaahumanu Avenue, Kahului, HI 96732, phone (808) 463-3882. The Maui County Real Property Tax website at https://www.qpublic.net/hi/maui provides free online access to property assessment information, ownership records, tax history, building characteristics, and sales data searchable by address, owner name, or TMK number.
Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and parcel data are available through Maui County's GIS portal, showing boundaries, zoning, and topographic information for Kalawao County properties.
Vital Records
Vital records for births, deaths, marriages, and divorces occurring in Kalawao County are maintained by the Hawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring, Vital Records Section, located at 1250 Punchbowl Street, Room 103, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone (808) 586-4533. Birth certificates can be requested by eligible applicants (the registrant if 18+, parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives) for a fee of $10.00 for a standard certified copy, with additional copies costing $4.00 each. Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for mail requests.
- 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 & Licensing
Business and licensing records for Kalawao County are primarily managed at the state level rather than through county offices. The Hawaii Business Express portal at https://invest.hawaii.gov provides comprehensive business entity searches, allowing users to look up corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and trade names registered with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Business Registration Division, located at 335 Merchant Street, Room 203, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone (808) 586-2744.
- 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 (808) 553-3876 provides regional business information.
Due to Kalawao County's unique administrative structure under the State Department of Health, local business licensing is minimal and handled through state permits. There is no County Clerk business filing office in Kalawao County; assumed name (DBA) registrations are filed with the state. Professional and vocational licenses are issued by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, phone (808) 586-3000, with online verification available at https://pvl.ehawaii.gov.
The Hawaii Department of Taxation administers general excise tax licenses (Hawaii's equivalent to sales tax) required for most business activities, obtainable online through Hawaii Business Express. Building permits and land use matters within Kalawao County are administered by the State Department of Health and National Park Service due to the settlement's federal and historical status.
Elections & Voter Records
Election administration for Kalawao County is handled by the Hawaii Office of Elections, located at 802 Lehua Avenue, Pearl City, HI 96782, phone (808) 453-8683, website https://elections.hawaii.gov. Due to Kalawao County's extremely small population of approximately 82 residents, it constitutes a single precinct and voting typically occurs at a designated polling location within the Kalaupapa settlement, though many residents vote by absentee ballot.
- Hawaii conducts all-mail elections for many contests, automatically sending ballots to all registered voters.
Voter registration in Hawaii can be completed online at https://olvr.hawaii.gov up to 30 days before any election, by mail, or in person through any county clerk's office or at driver licensing centers. The registration deadline is 30 days prior to Election Day. Kalawao County voters are part of Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District and participate in federal, state, and county elections, though the county has no local elected government of its own.
Public election records available under Hawaii law include registered voter lists (excluding confidential information), campaign spending reports filed by candidates and committees through the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission at https://ags.hawaii.gov/campaign, candidate nomination papers, and precinct-level election results. The 2024 general election saw extremely low absolute numbers given the tiny population, though Hawaii statewide turnout was approximately 58%. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House of Representatives races, potential U.S. Senate seats, Hawaii gubernatorial election, state legislature contests, and Maui County offices that administratively serve Kalawao County. Absentee voting by mail is widely used in Hawaii and can be requested by any registered voter through the Online Absentee Ballot Request System at https://ballotrequesthawaii.gov or by submitting a written application to the County Clerk of Elections.
Voters can track ballot status online through the Ballot Tracking System. Election transparency in Hawaii is governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 11, which mandates public disclosure of campaign finance records, candidate filings, and election results, with detailed precinct-by-precinct data published on the Office of Elections website following certification.
Economy & Demographics
Kalawao County has the smallest and most unique economy of any U.S. county, with virtually no traditional economic activity due to its role as a former Hansen's disease settlement and current National Historical Park. The county's 2020 population of 82 consists primarily of aging former patients of Kalaupapa settlement who chose to remain after Hawaii ended mandatory quarantine, along with a small number of National Park Service employees and state health workers.
- A small store operated for residents provides basic necessities.
The major "employer" is the federal government through Kalaupapa National Historical Park, which employs rangers, maintenance staff, and administrative personnel. The Hawaii State Department of Health maintains staff to provide healthcare and support services to the remaining residents under a unique administrative arrangement. There is no commercial agriculture, manufacturing, retail trade, or tourism industry open to the general public—access to the peninsula is strictly limited to authorized educational tours with permits, capped at a small number of daily visitors.
Median household income data is not reliably calculated for such a small population, but residents receive support through federal and state assistance programs. The settlement operates on a subsistence model with supplies delivered by barge or small aircraft to the peninsula's airstrip. The only economic activity consists of highly controlled tourism through Damien Tours and mule tour operators based on Molokai's topside, with all revenue generated off-peninsula.
There are no significant economic development projects given the area's historical preservation status and geographic isolation. The county generates essentially no tax revenue and receives full support from state and federal appropriations for infrastructure maintenance, healthcare, utilities, and resident services.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online (via Second Circuit) | Property: ✅ Online Search (Bureau of Conveyances & Maui County) | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Request Required (Maui PD) | Vital Records: ⚠️ State Office/Mail | Business: ✅ Online (State Portal) | Elections: ✅ Online | Overall Score: 7/10 — Kalawao County's unique state administration means most records are accessible through Hawaii state and Maui County systems with good digital availability.
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