About Maui County
Maui County, Hawaii, is a unique political subdivision of the State of Hawaii, comprising the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and the uninhabited Kahoolawe. Maui County Seat is Wailuku, located on the island of Maui. As of the 2020 Census, Maui County had a population of approximately 164,754 residents spread across 1,159 square miles of land area. Maui County is governed from the Kalana O Maui Building at 200 South High Street in Wailuku, where most county offices are located.
Major landmarks include Haleakala National Park, home to the dormant Haleakala volcano rising 10,023 feet above sea level, the historic whaling town of Lahaina, the Road to Hana, and the resort areas of Wailea and Kaanapali. Maui County was established in 1905 when the Republic of Hawaii's counties were reorganized under territorial status. What makes Maui County unique is its multi-island jurisdiction, diverse ecosystems ranging from tropical rainforests to volcanic deserts, and its economy heavily dependent on tourism and agriculture, particularly pineapple and sugar cane historically.
Maui County Clerk's office, located at 200 South High Street, Wailuku, HI 96793, maintains official county records and oversees elections. The Real Property Tax Division, functioning as Maui County's assessment authority, is located at 70 East Kaahumanu Avenue, Kahului, HI 96732. Maui County Treasurer manages tax collection and financial records.
The Bureau of Conveyances, a state agency rather than county office, records land documents for the entire state at 1151 Punchbowl Street in Honolulu, though the Maui District Office serves local needs at 54 South High Street, Wailuku.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Maui County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Maui County, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office oversees Maui County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is key to making sure of public safety through patrols and community engagement initiatives. Notable programs include neighborhood watch collaborations and outreach efforts meant to crime prevention and education.
Police Departments
Maui County is served by the Maui Police Department, which provides law enforcement services across the islands of Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. The department operates out of its headquarters in Wailuku and has precincts in various communities, including Lahaina, Kihei, and Hana. The Maui Police Department works with Maui County Sheriff's Office to address crime and ensure public safety.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Maui County is primarily handled by the Maui Police Department, headquartered at 55 Mahalani Street, Wailuku, HI 96793 (phone: 808-244-6400). The department maintains district stations across Maui County's inhabited islands, including substations in Lahaina, Kihei, Hana on Maui island, as well as on Molokai and Lanai. Hawaii does not have traditional county sheriffs; instead, the Hawaii Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division provides court security, prisoner transport, and service of legal documents statewide.
- Written requests should be directed to the Maui Police Department's Records Section at the Wailuku headquarters.
For arrest records in Maui County, citizens may submit requests under Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), codified in Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92F, which governs public access to government records. The Maui Community Correctional Center (MCCC), located at 600 Waiale Road, Wailuku, HI 96793 (phone: 808-243-5900), serves as Maui County's primary detention facility for pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanants. Inmate lookup services are available through the Hawaii Department of Public Safety website at dps.hawaii.gov, where users can search the offender database by name or identification number.
Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through public records requests to the Maui Police Department, though Hawaii law allows agencies to withhold certain photographs under specific circumstances outlined in HRS §92F-14. There are no federally recognized tribal lands or tribal police within Maui County. Visitors can also contact Crime Stoppers Maui at 808-242-6966 for anonymous tips regarding criminal activity.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Maui County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and sex offender registry information. Maui County Sheriff's Office and the Maui Police Department maintain these records, providing essential data for background checks and legal proceedings. Residents can request criminal records through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, which offers full background checks statewide. The Hawaii Bureau of Investigation supports these efforts by providing additional resources and information to ensure accurate and up-to-date criminal records for Maui County residents.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Maui County are maintained by Maui County Sheriff's Office and the Maui Police Department. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and personal information of the individual arrested. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records through formal applications to the respective law enforcement agency, adhering to the procedures outlined in the Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act. Arrest records provide crucial information for legal proceedings and background checks, for public access in law enforcement activities within Maui County.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Maui Community Correctional Center, located in Wailuku, is the primary detention facility for Maui County. The booking process at the facility involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of individuals taken into custody. Inmate lookup services are available through the Hawaii Department of Public Safety's online portal, allowing residents to find information on current detainees. Visitation rules require scheduling in advance, with specific guidelines on the duration and frequency of visits.
- Bail and bond processes in Hawaii are governed by state law, allowing for the release of detainees upon payment of a predetermined amount, subject to court approval.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Maui County are taken and retained by Maui County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed through official requests to the Sheriff's Office. While some mugshots may be available through third-party websites, the most reliable source is the Sheriff's Office or court records. Hawaii does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals can petition for expungement or sealing of records under certain conditions, which may result in the removal of associated mugshots from public access.
Courts & Case Records
The judiciary in Maui County operates under the Hawaii State Judiciary system, with the Second Circuit Court serving Maui County. The Second Circuit Court is, Wailuku, HI 96793 (phone: 808-244-2800) and has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $40,000, probate, family court matters including divorce and child custody, and appeals from lower courts. Maui County Court of the Second Circuit, also at 2145 Main Street (phone: 808-244-2929), handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil cases up to $40,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and restraining orders.
- Basic case information is available free of charge, though certified copies require a fee of $1.25 per page plus certification charges.
- Documents can be requested in person at the clerk's office or by mail.
District Court also operates courtrooms in Lahaina, Makawao, and on Molokai and Lanai. Court records in Hawaii are governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 602 and court rules, with most records considered public unless specifically sealed by court order or involving juveniles. The Hawaii State Judiciary provides eCourt Kokua, an online case search system accessible at eccourts.courts.hawaii.gov, where users can search civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases by party name, case number, or attorney.
The Family Court of the Second Circuit handles adoptions, guardianships, paternity, child support, and juvenile matters, with many records confidential under HRS §571. For probate matters, the public can search estate files and obtain copies of wills and inventories through the court clerk's office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Maui County are maintained by the Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances, a state agency that serves all counties. The Maui District Office is located at 54 South High Street, Room 208, Wailuku, HI 96793 (phone: 808-984-8110). The Bureau maintains full records including warranty deeds, grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, assignments, releases, liens (mechanics liens, tax liens, judgment liens), easements, covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs), and condominium documents.
- Basic searches are free, though document images require payment of $1.00 per page, payable by credit card.
- Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus postage if mailed.
- For property tax information and assessment records, contact the County of Maui Real Property Tax Division at 70 East Kaahumanu Avenue, Kahului, HI 96732 (phone: 808-463-3882, website: qpublic.net/hi/maui).
Hawaii operates under a dual recording system: the Bureau of Conveyances (regular system) and the Land Court (Torrens system), with Land Court documents providing guaranteed title. The Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances offers an online document search system at hawaiiconveyance.ehawaii.gov where users can search recorded documents by name, document number, or legal description. Maui County provides a free online property search system where taxpayers can look up assessed values, tax bills, ownership information, property characteristics, and sales history by tax map key (TMK), address, or owner name.
Maui County also maintains a Geographic Information System (GIS) portal at https://gis.mauicounty.gov offering interactive parcel maps, zoning information, flood zones, and other spatial data layers useful for property research.
Vital Records
Vital records for Maui County, including birth and death certificates, are primarily managed by the Hawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring, Vital Records Section, located at 1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 (phone: 808-586-4533). Birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Hawaii, including Maui County, must be requested through this state office. Birth certificates cost $10 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously; death certificates are $10 each.
- Processing time is typically 10-15 business days for mail requests, though in-person requests at the Honolulu office can be processed while you wait.
- Certified copies require valid government-issued photo identification, and requestors must demonstrate a direct and tangible interest as defined in Hawaii Revised Statutes §338-18.
- Online ordering is available through the VitalChek service at vitalchek.com, though convenience fees of approximately $12.95 apply in addition to state fees, and credit card payment is required.
- Marriage licenses in Hawaii are issued by the Hawaii State Department of Health, not county clerks, and couples must apply in person; licenses are valid for 30 days and cost $60.
- Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $1.25 per page plus certification fees.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Maui County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. For state-level business entity registration, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and trademarks, the Hawaii Business Express system operated by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs provides online access at invest.hawaii.gov. Users can search existing business entities free of charge by business name, entity number, or registered agent, and view articles of incorporation, annual reports, and officer information.
- At Maui County level, the County of Maui Department of Finance, Licensing Division, located at 70 East Kaahumanu Avenue, Suite A-18, Kahului, HI 96732 (phone: 808-270-7855), issues various business licenses and permits.
- Building permit records and applications are processed at 200 South High Street, Wailuku, and Maui County provides limited permit lookup capabilities online.
Business name registrations (trade names or DBAs) and general excise tax licenses are handled at the state level through the Department of Taxation; general excise tax license information can be searched at hitax.hawaii.gov. Building permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, and zoning compliance are managed by the Department of Public Works and the Department of Planning. Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, real estate agents, nurses, and cosmetologists are issued by the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, with online verification available at pvl.ehawaii.gov.
The Maui Chamber of Commerce, located at 55 North Market Street, Wailuku, HI 96793 (website: mauichamber.com, phone: 808-244-0081), provides business support services, networking, and advocacy, though it does not maintain official business records. Sales tax in Hawaii is called the general excise tax (GET), and permits are obtained through the State Department of Taxation.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Maui County are administered by the County of Maui Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division, located at 200 South High Street, Kalana O Maui Building, Wailuku, HI 96793 (phone: 808-270-7749, website: mauicounty.gov/elections). However, Hawaii operates a centralized election system, with the Hawaii Office of Elections overseeing statewide voter registration, ballot design, and tabulation (website: elections.hawaii.gov, phone: 808-453-8683).
- Hawaii has conducted elections entirely by mail since 2020, sending ballots to all registered voters approximately 18 days before Election Day.
- In the November 2024 general election, Maui County voter turnout was approximately 58% of registered voters, consistent with Hawaii's typical general election participation rates.
- To request an absentee ballot or replacement ballot, Maui County voters should contact the County Clerk's Elections Division or use the online ballot request portal at hawaiiballot.hawaii.gov.
- Post-election audits and logic and accuracy testing reports are available upon request, making sure of electoral integrity and public confidence.
Voter registration in Hawaii can be completed online at olvr.hawaii.gov up to 30 days before an election, though same-day voter registration is available at early voting sites and on Election Day at voter service centers starting 10 days before Election Day and continuing through Election Day. Registration requires providing a Hawaii driver's license or state ID number, Social Security number, and residential address within Maui County. Voters may return ballots by mail (postage-paid) or deposit them at secure ballot drop boxes located throughout Maui County, including sites in Wailuku, Kahului, Kihei, Lahaina, Makawao, and on Molokai and Lanai; locations are listed at elections.hawaii.gov.
Voter service centers also open for in-person voting and same-day registration during the early voting period. Public election records available under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 11 include voter registration lists (though residential addresses are restricted), campaign spending reports filed with the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission (available at ags.hawaii.gov/campaign), candidate nomination papers, precinct-level election results, and ballot counting reports. The next major election is the November 3, 2026 general election, featuring U.S.
Senate and U.S. House races, Hawaii state legislature contests, county council seats, and potential ballot measures. Hawaii's election transparency is governed by the Uniform Information Practices Act (HRS Chapter 92F) and election-specific statutes in HRS Chapter 11, requiring public access to most election records, campaign finance data, and tabulation reports.
Economy & Demographics
Maui County's economy is heavily dominated by tourism, which generates approximately 70% of Maui County's economic activity and employment. Major employers include Grand Wailea Resort, Fairmont Kea Lani, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, and other large resort properties concentrated in the Wailea, Kaanapali, and Kapalua areas. The median household income in Maui County is approximately $88,000 according to recent U.S. Census estimates, higher than the national median but reflecting the high cost of living in Hawaii.
- Current agricultural production focuses on diversified crops including coffee, macadamia nuts, cattle ranching, vegetables, and tropical flowers.
Agriculture remains economically significant, though the closure of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company's sugar operations in 2016 ended 145 years of sugar cultivation on Maui. Pineapple production continues on Lanai through Sensei Farms. The film and television production industry contributes to the economy, with Maui's diverse scenes attracting productions.
Healthcare is a growing sector, with Maui Memorial Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente as major employers. Retail trade and construction also provide substantial employment. The unemployment rate in Maui County typically ranges between 3-5% in normal economic conditions, though the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted tourism-dependent employment in 2020-2021.
Economic development initiatives focus on diversifying beyond tourism, including renewable energy projects such as wind farms and solar installations. The technology and remote work sectors have grown as improved connectivity enables digital economy participation. Visitor arrivals to Maui typically exceed 2.The Port of Kahului is the primary cargo hub, essential for the island economy given its geographic isolation.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search (Tax & Conveyance) | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Request Required | Vital Records: Limited: State Office/Fee | Business: Yes: Online (State) | Elections: Yes: Online & Mail Voting | Overall Score: 8/10, Maui County and Hawaii state agencies provide online access to most public records, though some records require formal requests or state-level processing.