Honolulu County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Honolulu County?

Public records in Honolulu County are official documents or pieces of information that are not considered confidential and can be accessed by citizens. These records are created, maintained, and kept by local government agencies in Honolulu County, which encompasses the entire island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Public records include various documents such as:

Birth, death, and marriage certificates
Property records and deeds
Court records and case files
Tax records
Voter registration information
Business licenses
Police reports (with some restrictions)
Government meeting minutes
Building permits

These records are maintained by different government agencies including the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting, the Honolulu City Clerk's Office, and the Hawaii State Judiciary.

Is Honolulu County an Open Records County?

Yes, Honolulu County operates under Hawaii's open records law, officially known as the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA). This law, established in 1988, governs access to public records throughout the state of Hawaii, including Honolulu County.

The UIPA is administered by the Office of Information Practices (OIP) at 250 South Hotel Street, Suite 107, Honolulu, HI 96813. The law establishes the presumption that government records are open to public inspection unless access is restricted or closed by law.

The UIPA provides that:

All government records are open to public inspection unless access is restricted or closed by law
Individuals have a right to access their personal records
Government agencies must respond to record requests in a timely manner
Agencies may charge reasonable fees for searching, reviewing, and segregating records

While Honolulu County follows open records principles, certain exemptions exist to protect privacy, security, and other important interests.

How Do I Find Public Records in Honolulu County in 2025

Finding public records in Honolulu County in 2025 can be accomplished through several methods:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites:
- Property records through the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting at 650 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
- Court records through the Hawaii State Judiciary's eCourt Kokua system
- Business registrations through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs at 335 Merchant Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
In-Person Requests: Visit the appropriate government office:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) at the Hawaii Department of Health at 1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
- Property records at the Bureau of Conveyances at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
- Court records at the appropriate courthouse, such as the First Circuit Court at 1111 Alakea Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
Written Requests: Submit a written request to the agency that maintains the records you seek. Include:
- Your contact information
- A clear description of the records you want
- The format in which you'd like to receive the records
- Date range of records (if applicable)
Public Access Terminals: Use terminals available at government offices to search for records. The Hawaii State Judiciary provides public access terminals at various courthouse locations.

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

The cost of obtaining public records in Honolulu County varies depending on the type of record and the agency providing it:

Search and Copy Fees:
- Most agencies charge $0.25-$0.50 per page for photocopies
- Search fees may apply if the request requires more than a minimal amount of time (typically $10-$30 per hour)
- Additional fees may apply for certification of documents
Specific Record Fees:
- Birth certificates: $10-$15 per copy
- Marriage certificates: $10-$15 per copy
- Death certificates: $10-$15 per copy
- Property records: Varies based on document type and length
- Court records: $1.00 per page for copies, with additional fees for certified copies
Fee Waivers:
- Agencies may waive fees if the disclosure is in the public interest
- Fee waivers are typically granted for requests from news media or nonprofit organizations
- Individuals with financial hardship may request fee reductions

The Hawaii Office of Information Practices provides guidance on reasonable fees for record requests. Agencies are required to provide fee estimates for requests that may exceed $30.

Does Honolulu County Have Free Public Records?

Honolulu County does offer some public records for free, particularly those available online, but many records still require payment of fees:

Free Records Access:

Basic property information through the Honolulu Property Tax Assessment website
Court case information (but not documents) through eCourt Kokua
Meeting agendas and minutes for the Honolulu City Council
Campaign spending reports
Some business registration information

Records Requiring Fees:

Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
Certified copies of court documents
Detailed property records
Police reports
Building permits and plans

The Hawaii State Public Library System at various locations including the main branch at 478 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 also provides free access to some public records databases and resources.

Who Can Request Public Records In Honolulu County?

In Honolulu County, the right to request public records is broadly available:

Any Person Can Request Records:
- Hawaii residents
- Non-residents
- U.S. citizens
- Foreign nationals
- Businesses and organizations
- Media representatives
- Government agencies
No Statement of Purpose Required:
- Requesters generally do not need to explain why they want the records
- Agencies cannot deny requests based on the requester's intended use of the information
- Exceptions exist for certain records where the requester's identity or purpose may be relevant
Special Provisions:
- Individuals have enhanced rights to access their own personal records
- Government officials may have expedited access to records needed for official duties
- Incarcerated individuals have the same rights to public records but may face practical limitations

The Uniform Information Practices Act emphasizes that the right to access government records belongs to "any person," with limited exceptions.

What Records Are Confidential In Honolulu County?

While Honolulu County follows open records principles, certain categories of records are confidential and exempt from disclosure:

Personal Privacy Exemptions:
- Medical records
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account information
- Personnel records (except for specific information about government employees)
- Home addresses and contact information of certain public employees
Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation records
- Information that would identify confidential informants
- Records that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Juvenile criminal records
Government Operations:
- Records that would compromise security measures
- Inter-agency or intra-agency deliberative process documents
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Trade secrets or confidential business information submitted to the government
Other Protected Records:
- Adoption records
- Certain family court records
- Records specifically protected by state or federal law
- Records whose disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy

The Office of Information Practices provides guidance on confidentiality determinations and can issue advisory opinions on specific record requests.

Lookup Public Records in Honolulu County

Judiciary | Search Court Records - This page provides access to search court records in Hawaii, including traffic cases, District Court, Circuit Court, Family Court, Land Court, Tax Appeal Court, and appellate cases.
Judiciary | eCourt Kokua - eCourt Kokua offers access to various court case types including traffic, criminal, civil, land, tax appeal, and appellate cases in Hawaii.
Legal Documents Public Access Terminals & Court Case Files (Statewide) - This page provides information on public access terminals and court case files available statewide in Hawaii, including locations and hours of operation.