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Honolulu County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Honolulu County

Arrest records in Honolulu County are generally considered public information pursuant to Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), Chapter 92F of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. This statute establishes the presumption that government records are open to public inspection unless access is restricted or closed by law.

The public status of arrest records is subject to certain limitations:

  • Records of adults (18 years and older) are typically accessible to the public
  • Juvenile arrest records (under 18 years) are confidential under Hawaii Revised Statutes §571-84
  • Records may be restricted if they are part of an ongoing investigation
  • Certain identifying information may be redacted to protect privacy interests
  • Records sealed by court order are not publicly accessible

The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) serves as the central repository for criminal history record information in the state, including Honolulu County.

Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center 465 South King Street, Room 101 Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: (808) 587-3100 Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center

Members of the public seeking arrest records may also contact the Honolulu Police Department or access certain information through the Hawaii Judiciary's online court records system, which provides information on cases that have proceeded to court following an arrest.

What's in Honolulu County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Honolulu County typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody. These records are created and maintained pursuant to Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 8, Chapter 101.

Standard information contained in Honolulu County arrest records includes:

  • Biographical data (full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender)
  • Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks such as tattoos or scars)
  • Photograph (mugshot) taken during booking
  • Fingerprints collected during processing
  • Date, time, and location of arrest
  • Arresting agency and officer information
  • Statutory charges and offense descriptions
  • Booking information and temporary detention details
  • Case or incident report numbers
  • Bail or bond information, if applicable

Additional information that may be included:

  • Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
  • Medical screening information relevant to detention
  • Prior criminal history references
  • Warrant information if the arrest was warrant-based
  • Vehicle information if related to the arrest

The Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement, Sheriff Division and Honolulu Police Department maintain these records in accordance with state regulations. The level of detail available to the public may vary based on the status of the case and applicable privacy laws.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Honolulu County in 2025

Individuals seeking arrest records in Honolulu County in 2025 have several official channels through which this information may be obtained. The process is governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes §846-9 regarding dissemination of criminal history record information.

In-Person Requests:

  • Visit the Records Division of the Honolulu Police Department Honolulu Police Department 801 South Beretania Street Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: (808) 529-3111 Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM

  • Request records at the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center 465 South King Street, Room 101 Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: (808) 587-3100 Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM

Written Requests:

  • Submit a completed Request for Criminal History Record Check form to HCJDC
  • Include proper identification and the required fee ($30 per name-based check as of 2025)
  • Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail

Online Access:

Requestors must provide proper identification and may need to state the purpose of their request. Third-party requests for another individual's records may require additional documentation or notarized authorization from the subject.

How To Find Honolulu County Arrest Records Online

Honolulu County arrest records can be accessed through several official online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. These digital resources provide convenient access to public information in accordance with Hawaii Revised Statutes §92F-11 regarding the availability of government records.

The primary online resources for accessing arrest records include:

When conducting online searches, users should note:

  • Full name and date of birth information yields the most accurate results
  • Some records may not be immediately available online following an arrest
  • Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records
  • Online systems may not include complete arrest details available in official records
  • Records that have been expunged or sealed will not appear in online searches

For comprehensive arrest record information, individuals may need to supplement online searches with requests to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center or visit the appropriate agency in person.

Can You Search Honolulu County Arrest Records for Free?

Access to Honolulu County arrest records is subject to fees established pursuant to Hawaii Administrative Rules §8-101-6, which authorizes agencies to charge reasonable fees for searching, reviewing, and segregating government records.

Free access options are limited but include:

  • Public Terminal Access: The Hawaii State Judiciary provides free public access terminals at courthouse locations where individuals may search basic case information: First Circuit Court Ka'ahumanu Hale 777 Punchbowl Street Honolulu, HI 96813 Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM

  • HPD Incident Information: The Honolulu Police Department's online incident portal provides limited information about recent incidents at no cost.

  • Public Court Hearings: Attending public court proceedings provides free access to information about cases in progress.

Fee-based options include:

Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §92F-42(13), certain individuals may qualify for fee waivers when the information requested is in the public interest or when the requestor demonstrates an inability to pay. Such waiver requests must be submitted in writing to the appropriate agency.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Honolulu County

The process for removing arrest records from public access in Honolulu County is governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes §831-3.2 regarding expungement of arrest records. Expungement does not physically destroy records but restricts their disclosure to the public.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

  • Arrest did not result in a conviction
  • Conviction was subsequently overturned
  • Pardon was granted for the offense
  • Case was dismissed with prejudice
  • Acquittal occurred at trial
  • Completion of a deferred acceptance of guilty or no contest plea

The expungement process requires:

  1. Submission of a completed Application for Expungement of Arrest Records form to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
  2. Payment of the processing fee ($35 as of 2025)
  3. Provision of supporting documentation (court disposition, dismissal order, etc.)
  4. Verification of identity through fingerprinting

Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center 465 South King Street, Room 101 Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: (808) 587-3100 Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM

Alternative remedies include:

  • Record Sealing: In limited circumstances, Hawaii courts may seal records pursuant to Hawaii Rules of Penal Procedure Rule 42
  • Correction of Errors: Inaccurate information may be corrected by filing a challenge with the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
  • Gubernatorial Pardon: In rare cases, a pardon from the Governor may provide relief

Individuals seeking expungement may wish to consult with legal counsel, as the process can be complex and subject to specific statutory requirements.

What Happens After Arrest in Honolulu County?

Following an arrest in Honolulu County, individuals are processed through a standardized procedure established pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 803 regarding arrests and bail.

The post-arrest process typically includes:

  1. Transportation and Booking: Arrestees are transported to a police station or the Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) for processing, which includes:

    • Photograph and fingerprinting
    • Personal information collection
    • Property inventory
    • Medical screening
  2. Initial Appearance: Within 48 hours of arrest, individuals appear before a judge at the District Court of the First Circuit: District Court of the First Circuit Kauikeaouli Hale 1111 Alakea Street Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: (808) 538-5767

  3. Bail Determination: The court sets bail according to Hawaii Revised Statutes §804-9, considering:

    • Severity of the alleged offense
    • Flight risk factors
    • Community safety concerns
    • Prior criminal history
  4. Charging Decision: The Honolulu Prosecutor's Office determines formal charges within:

    • 48 hours for misdemeanors
    • 2-10 days for felonies, depending on custody status
  5. Arraignment: Formal reading of charges and entry of plea

  6. Pretrial Proceedings: May include:

    • Preliminary hearing (felonies)
    • Pretrial conferences
    • Motion hearings
    • Discovery exchanges
  7. Case Resolution: Through:

    • Trial (bench or jury)
    • Plea agreement
    • Dismissal of charges
    • Diversion programs (when eligible)

Throughout this process, individuals have constitutional rights including the right to counsel. Those unable to afford an attorney may request representation from:

Office of the Public Defender 1130 North Nimitz Highway, Suite A-254 Honolulu, HI 96817 Phone: (808) 586-2200 Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Honolulu County?

Arrest records in Honolulu County are maintained in accordance with Hawaii Revised Statutes §846-2.5 regarding criminal history record information and Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 8, Chapter 101 governing records retention.

The standard retention periods for arrest records are as follows:

  • Permanent Retention: Complete criminal history records, including arrests resulting in convictions, are maintained permanently in the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center's central repository.

  • Arrests Without Conviction: Records of arrests not resulting in conviction are generally maintained for the following periods:

    • Felony arrests: 5 years from date of arrest
    • Misdemeanor arrests: 3 years from date of arrest
    • Petty misdemeanor arrests: 18 months from date of arrest
  • Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §571-84, juvenile arrest records are generally sealed when the individual reaches 18 years of age, unless the case was transferred to adult court.

  • Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §831-3.2 remain in the possession of law enforcement agencies but are segregated from public records and access is restricted to authorized personnel for specific purposes.

The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center serves as the central repository for all arrest records in the state, including those from Honolulu County. While records may be maintained indefinitely for law enforcement purposes, access to older records may be restricted based on the disposition of the case and applicable statutes.

Digital records maintained in the eCrim system and other databases follow the same retention schedules as physical records, though technological changes may affect how older records are stored and accessed.

How to Find Mugshots in Honolulu County

Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process in Honolulu County are considered government records under Hawaii Revised Statutes §92F-3. Access to these images is regulated by both state law and agency policies.

Official channels for requesting mugshot photographs include:

  • Honolulu Police Department Records Division 801 South Beretania Street Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: (808) 529-3111 Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM

    Requestors must complete a Record Request Form specifying the subject's name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. A fee of $15 per photograph applies.

  • Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center 465 South King Street, Room 101 Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: (808) 587-3100 Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM

    Requests must be submitted in writing with proper identification and payment of applicable fees.

Important limitations regarding mugshot access:

  • Mugshots of juveniles are confidential under Hawaii Revised Statutes §571-84
  • Images related to ongoing investigations may be withheld
  • Photographs from expunged records are not publicly available
  • Agencies may redact or withhold images if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under Hawaii Revised Statutes §92F-13(1)

The First Circuit Court may also maintain mugshots as part of court records for cases that have proceeded to trial. These may be requested through the court clerk's office with appropriate case information.

Unlike some jurisdictions, Honolulu County law enforcement agencies do not routinely publish mugshots online, and commercial mugshot websites may not contain official or current information.

Lookup Arrest Records in Honolulu County

Search Hawaii court records online

Request a criminal history record check

Access adult criminal information through eCrim

Learn about the Hawaii Sheriff Division

Find information about Oahu Community Correctional Center

Complete a name-based background check

Contact the Oahu First Circuit Court

View Honolulu Police Department incident reports