Honolulu County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Honolulu County?

Public records in Honolulu County encompass a wide range of official documents, files, and information maintained by government agencies that are accessible to the public pursuant to Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), Chapter 92F of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. These records serve as the official documentation of government activities and transactions within the City and County of Honolulu. The following categories of public records are maintained and available through various county departments:

Property Records - Real property assessment information, tax records, deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers maintained by the Real Property Assessment Division and the Bureau of Conveyances
Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees (access may be restricted to eligible individuals)
Court Records - Civil and criminal case files, court calendars, judgments, and probate records available through the Hawaii State Judiciary
Business Records - Business registrations, licenses, permits, and corporate filings maintained by the Business Registration Division
Land Use and Planning Documents - Zoning records, building permits, environmental impact statements, and development plans
Government Operations Records - City Council meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, budgets, and financial reports accessible through the Honolulu County Clerk's Office
Election Records - Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance reports available from the Elections Division
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, tax rolls, and payment records maintained by the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services
Law Enforcement Records - Police reports, arrest records, and incident reports (with certain privacy restrictions)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Data - Maps, aerial photographs, and spatial data available through the Honolulu GIS portal

Is Honolulu County an Open Records County?

Honolulu County operates under Hawaii's open records law, the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), which establishes the legal framework for public access to government records. Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §92F-11, all government records are open to public inspection unless access is restricted or closed by law. The UIPA explicitly states that "all government records are open to public inspection unless access is restricted or closed by law."

The Office of Information Practices (OIP) was established by the Hawaii State Legislature to administer the UIPA and ensure compliance with open records requirements. According to OIP guidelines, Honolulu County agencies must:

Respond to record requests within 10 business days
Provide reasonable access to disclosable records
Justify any denial of access by citing specific statutory exemptions
Segregate confidential information from disclosable portions when possible

The Office of Information Practices provides oversight and guidance on the implementation of the UIPA, including issuing advisory opinions on disputed matters. Honolulu County's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its Open Data Portal, which proactively publishes datasets and information for public use without requiring formal records requests.

How Do I Find Public Records in Honolulu County in 2025

Members of the public seeking records in Honolulu County may utilize several methods to locate and access public information. The county has implemented a multi-channel approach to facilitate public records access:

Online Access - The Honolulu County Public Records Portal serves as a centralized hub for accessing many digital records. Users may search databases for property information, business registrations, court records, and other public documents without visiting government offices.
In-Person Requests - Individuals may visit the appropriate county department during regular business hours to request records in person. Staff members are available to assist with locating specific documents and providing copies.
Written Requests - Formal written requests may be submitted to the records custodian of the relevant department. Pursuant to UIPA requirements, agencies must respond within 10 business days.
Department-Specific Resources:
- Property records: Real Property Assessment Division
- Land and property transactions: Bureau of Conveyances
- Court records: Hawaii State Judiciary
- Business filings: Business Registration Division
- Vital records: Hawaii Department of Health
- Geographic data: Honolulu GIS Portal
Records Request Form - The county provides standardized records request forms that may be submitted to the appropriate department. These forms help ensure that requests contain sufficient information for processing.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Honolulu County?

Honolulu County agencies may assess reasonable fees for searching, reviewing, and reproducing public records in accordance with Hawaii Administrative Rules §2-71-19. The fee structure for public records requests is as follows:

Search, Review, and Segregation Fees:
- $2.50 per 15 minutes of staff time (first two hours are free)
- $5.00 per 15 minutes for searches requiring supervisor or higher-level personnel
- $7.50 per 15 minutes for searches requiring legal or expert assistance
Reproduction Costs:
- Paper copies: $0.25 per page for letter/legal size
- Larger format copies (maps, plans): $1.00-$5.00 per page depending on size
- Electronic records: $0.10 per page for scanning paper documents
- Storage media: Actual cost of CD, DVD, or USB drive if provided by the agency
Mailing/Delivery Fees:
- Actual postage costs for mailing records
- Additional handling fees may apply for certified or expedited delivery

The Department of Budget and Fiscal Services oversees the collection of fees for many county departments. Agencies may require prepayment of estimated fees for requests exceeding $30.00. Fee waivers may be granted when the disclosure of the requested records is in the public interest, as determined by the agency.

Does Honolulu County Have Free Public Records?

Honolulu County provides certain public records at no cost to promote transparency and public access to government information. The following resources are available without charge:

Honolulu County Open Data Portal - Provides free access to numerous datasets including budget information, GIS data, building permits, and other government statistics
Online Property Information - Basic property assessment data is available at no cost through the Real Property Assessment Division website
City Council Records - Meeting agendas, minutes, and ordinances are freely accessible through the Honolulu County Clerk's website
Election Results and Voter Information - Available at no charge from the Elections Division
Court Calendars and Case Information - Basic case information is available without charge through the Hawaii State Judiciary website

Additionally, pursuant to Hawaii Administrative Rules §2-71-19, agencies waive the first two hours of search and review time and the first $30 of reproduction costs for most public records requests. Public interest fee waivers may be granted when:

The requested information primarily benefits the general public
The requester lacks commercial interest in the records
The requester has the primary intention of broadly disseminating the information

The Hawaii State Law Library System also provides free public access to legal resources and certain government publications at its locations throughout the county.

Who Can Request Public Records In Honolulu County?

Under the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), Hawaii Revised Statutes §92F-11, any person may request access to public records maintained by Honolulu County agencies. The term "person" is broadly defined to include:

Individual citizens and residents
Non-residents and foreign nationals
Corporations, partnerships, and associations
Media organizations and journalists
Non-profit organizations and advocacy groups
Government agencies and officials

Requesters are not required to provide identification or state their purpose for requesting records, except in cases where:

Access to the record is restricted by law to specific individuals
The request is for personal records pertaining to the requester
Special access privileges are being claimed (such as fee waivers)

Government agencies may ask for contact information to communicate about the request and arrange for inspection or delivery of records. The UIPA prohibits agencies from discriminating between requesters or requiring justification for access to public records.

What Records Are Confidential In Honolulu County?

Certain records maintained by Honolulu County agencies are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §92F-13 and other applicable laws. These confidential records include:

Personal Privacy Information - Records that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, including:
- Medical and health records
- Personnel and employment records
- Financial information of individuals
- Social Security numbers and personal identifiers
Law Enforcement Records - Information that, if disclosed, would:
- Interfere with an ongoing investigation or prosecution
- Deprive a person of a right to a fair trial
- Disclose confidential sources or investigative techniques
- Endanger the life or physical safety of an individual
Inter/Intra-Agency Deliberative Materials - Preliminary drafts, notes, and recommendations in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated
Attorney-Client Privileged Communications - Confidential communications between government agencies and their attorneys
Business Trade Secrets - Proprietary information submitted to government agencies
Records Protected by Other Laws - Information specifically protected by state or federal statutes, including:
- Juvenile records (HRS §571-84)
- Adoption records (HRS §578-15)
- Child abuse reports (HRS §350-1.4)
- Tax return information (HRS §235-116)

The Office of Information Practices provides guidance on the application of these exemptions and may issue advisory opinions in disputed cases.

Honolulu County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Bureau of Conveyances
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 121
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 587-0147
Bureau of Conveyances

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Closed on State Holidays

The Bureau of Conveyances serves as the central recordation office for all real property transactions in the State of Hawaii, including Honolulu County. The Bureau maintains land records dating back to the Great Mahele of 1848 and is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining documents affecting title to real property.

Services provided include:

Recording deeds, mortgages, and other land documents
Issuing certified copies of recorded documents
Conducting title searches and providing land record information
Processing Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings

Document recording may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the electronic recording system. Regular recording fees are $41 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Additional fees apply for specific document types and expedited services.