Hawaii Police Records and Police Departments

Processing times for police reports vary by county and report complexity. The Honolulu Police Department typically processes routine incident report requests within 7-14 business days. The Hawaii Police Department (Big Island), Maui Police Department, and Kauai Police Department have similar timeframes. Traffic crash reports may take slightly longer, typically 10-14 business days, as they require officer review and approval. Complex reports involving ongoing investigations or requiring extensive redactions may take 30 days or longer. Expedited processing is generally not available, though reports needed for insurance claims may receive priority handling if the requesting party identifies the urgent need.

Yes, arrest records are generally public information in Hawaii once an individual has been arrested and booked. Basic information including the arrestee's name, booking date, charges, and booking photo is typically available through the arresting agency. The Honolulu Police Department maintains a public online arrest log. However, detailed investigative records, probable cause affidavits, and information about ongoing investigations may be withheld under public records exemptions. Juvenile arrest records are strictly confidential and not available to the public. Arrest records that do not result in prosecution may be eligible for expungement under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 831-3.2.

To request body camera footage, submit a detailed written public records request to the police department that responded to the incident. Your request must identify the specific incident date, time, location, officers involved, and your relationship to the incident. Submit requests to the Records Division of the relevant county police department. The agency will review your request and determine whether exemptions apply. If approved, the agency will prepare the footage with necessary redactions to protect privacy and other interests. Processing times typically exceed 30 days due to review and redaction requirements. Fees vary based on actual costs, often ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars depending on footage length and complexity. Denials can be appealed to the Office of Information Practices.

Hawaii law provides several expungement options depending on your circumstances. Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 831-3.2 allows expungement of arrest records that did not result in conviction, provided you petition the court and meet specific requirements. Certain drug offense convictions may be expunged under Chapter 831 after completing terms of sentence and remaining crime-free for specified periods. Juvenile records may be expunged in certain circumstances. Expungement is not automatic; you must file a petition in the circuit court where the arrest or conviction occurred, pay filing fees (typically $50-100), and demonstrate eligibility. Successful expungement results in sealing and eventual destruction of records. Consult with an attorney to determine your eligibility and navigate the petition process.

Check the "Most Wanted" lists maintained by county police departments. The Honolulu Police Department publishes an updated list on its website. CrimeStoppers Honolulu maintains a wanted persons database at (808) 955-8300. Contact the police department's Records Division in the county where you believe the warrant was issued to inquire about active warrants. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center maintains warrant information accessible to law enforcement but not directly searchable by the public. Court records can also reveal outstanding warrants through the Hawaii State Judiciary's eCourt Kōkua online case search system. For federal warrants, check the U.S. Marshals Service or FBI websites.

A fingerprint-based criminal history record check through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center costs $25 for Hawaii records only. If FBI national records are required, add $15.75 for a total of $40.75. Fingerprinting services cost an additional $10-30 depending on the provider. Private background check companies charge varying fees, typically $30-100, but may not provide official criminal history records suitable for legal or licensing purposes. Employment background checks conducted through official channels typically include both state and federal records, totaling approximately $40-50 plus fingerprinting fees. Processing times are 2-4 weeks for state records and 4-8 weeks when FBI records are included.

Police disciplinary records in Hawaii are generally not public under current law. Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 92F-14 exempts personnel records from disclosure, and this exemption has been broadly interpreted to protect police misconduct and disciplinary records. Civil service rules and police union collective bargaining agreements also restrict access to disciplinary information. The Honolulu Police Commission and similar oversight bodies in other counties conduct investigations and impose discipline, but their proceedings and records are typically confidential. Some aggregate statistics about complaints and discipline may be released, but individual officer records remain protected. Civil lawsuits against officers are public through court records, providing limited transparency. Legislative efforts to increase disclosure of serious misconduct have been proposed but not yet enacted.

Submit a written public records request to the county police department that received the call. Specify the date, approximate time, address or location, and nature of the emergency call. Requests should be addressed to the Records Division of the relevant county police department. Under Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act, agencies must respond within 10 business days. The police department will review the request and determine whether exemptions apply. Calls involving ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or sensitive personal information may be withheld. If approved, the agency will produce a copy of the recording on CD or digital format. Fees typically range from $25-75 per recording to cover actual costs. Processing times generally range from 14-30 days depending on the complexity of the request and required review.