Hawaii County Criminal Records
What Is Hawaii County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Hawaii County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § 846-2.7, which establishes the framework for criminal history record information in the state.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement agencies, including the Hawaii Police Department. These records include booking information, charges, and arrest circumstances.
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases, which are considered public information under Hawaii law.
- Court Records: Case files maintained by the Third Circuit Court (Hawaii County) containing arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, and case dispositions.
- Correctional Records: Information regarding incarceration, probation, and parole status maintained by the Hawaii Department of Public Safety.
The distinction between felonies and misdemeanors is significant in Hawaii County criminal records:
- Felonies: More serious offenses punishable by imprisonment of more than one year.
- Misdemeanors: Less serious offenses typically punishable by up to one year in jail.
Adult and juvenile records are handled differently under Hawaii law:
- Adult Records: Generally accessible to the public, particularly conviction information.
- Juvenile Records: Typically sealed and confidential under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 571-84, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Hawaii County:
Hawaii Police Department
349 Kapiolani Street
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-3311
Hawaii Police Department
Third Circuit Court - Hawaii County
777 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-7400
Hawaii State Judiciary
Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
465 South King Street, Room 101
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 587-3100
Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
Criminal records typically include comprehensive documentation of an individual's journey through the criminal justice system, from initial arrest through final disposition and any subsequent supervision.
Are Criminal Records Public In Hawaii County
Criminal records in Hawaii County are governed by both the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) and specific provisions in the Hawaii Revised Statutes that determine public accessibility. Under current law, not all criminal records are equally accessible to the public.
The public status of criminal records in Hawaii County is determined by several factors:
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Conviction Records: Adult criminal conviction information is considered public record and is accessible through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. This includes information about guilty verdicts and guilty pleas.
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Court Records: Proceedings in Hawaii's courts are generally open to the public, and court records related to criminal cases can be accessed through the judiciary's electronic system or in person at courthouse locations.
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Non-Conviction Records: Arrest records that did not result in convictions have restricted access and are not typically available to the general public except in limited circumstances.
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Sealed or Expunged Records: Records that have been officially sealed or expunged by court order are not accessible to the public.
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Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are confidential under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 571-84 and are not available for public inspection except by court order.
The Hawaii Revised Statutes § 846-9 specifically addresses the dissemination of criminal history record information, stating that conviction data may be disseminated to any person or agency for any purpose. However, non-conviction data may only be disseminated to specific entities such as criminal justice agencies, individuals and agencies specified by statute, and individuals and agencies pursuant to a specific agreement with a criminal justice agency.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records should be aware that while conviction information is generally accessible, other types of criminal records may have restricted access under state law to protect privacy interests and support rehabilitation efforts.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Hawaii County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Hawaii County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for accessing criminal records:
Online Search Methods:
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Access the eCourt Kokua system maintained by the Hawaii State Judiciary to search for court cases, including criminal matters. Users may search by name, case number, or citation number.
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Utilize the eCrim portal operated by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center to obtain conviction information. This service requires registration and payment of applicable fees.
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Review booking logs published by the Hawaii Police Department, which provide information about recent arrests.
In-Person Request Methods:
- Visit the Hawaii County Clerk's Office at the Third Circuit Court to request criminal court records:
Third Circuit Court - Hilo Division
777 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-7400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Hawaii State Judiciary
Third Circuit Court - Kona Division
74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808) 322-8700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Hawaii State Judiciary
- Submit requests to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center for criminal history record checks:
Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
465 South King Street, Room 101
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 587-3100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
Written Request Methods:
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Complete a Request for Criminal History Record Check form available from the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.
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Submit a written request to the Third Circuit Court Clerk's Office, including the subject's full name, date of birth, and case number (if known).
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Provide proper identification when requesting records in person or include a copy of identification with written requests.
Requestors should be prepared to pay applicable fees for record searches and copies. Pursuant to Hawaii Administrative Rules, fees may include search charges, copying fees, and certification costs if official copies are required.
How To Find Criminal Records in Hawaii County Online?
Hawaii County residents and interested parties can access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by state and county agencies. Each system provides different types of information and has specific search capabilities.
eCourt Kokua System
The Hawaii State Judiciary maintains the eCourt Kokua system, which provides public access to court case information, including criminal cases. Users can:
- Search by name, case ID, or citation number
- View case details including charges, hearings, and dispositions
- Access information from all circuits in Hawaii, including the Third Circuit (Hawaii County)
- View case status, scheduled court dates, and judgment information
No registration is required for basic searches, though some features may require user accounts. The system includes cases filed from the early 2000s to present, with some historical limitations.
eCrim Portal
The eCrim portal operated by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center allows users to search for and view conviction information. This system:
- Requires user registration and payment of fees
- Provides official criminal history record checks
- Includes only adult conviction information
- Allows for name-based searches with additional identifiers
- Provides printable results that can be used for various purposes
Fees are currently $5.00 per name search, with additional charges for certified copies.
Hawaii Police Department Booking Logs
The Hawaii Police Department publishes booking logs on their website, which include:
- Recent arrest information
- Names of individuals arrested
- Charges
- Arrest dates
- Age of arrestees
These logs are updated regularly but only show recent booking activity and do not constitute complete criminal records.
Hawaii Sex Offender Registry
The Hawaii Sex Offender Search provides information about registered sex offenders in Hawaii County and throughout the state. This registry:
- Allows searches by name or location
- Provides offender photos, addresses, and conviction information
- Includes compliance status information
- Is updated regularly as offenders register or update information
This registry is maintained pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 846E and is available at no cost to the public.
Users should note that online records may not be comprehensive, as some information may only be available through in-person requests at the appropriate agencies. Additionally, the information displayed in these systems is from official records but may not reflect real-time updates or sealed/expunged information.
Can You Search Hawaii County Criminal Records for Free?
Hawaii County provides several options for members of the public to access criminal records at no cost, though certain comprehensive searches may require payment of fees. The availability of free access is governed by the Uniform Information Practices Act and specific provisions in Hawaii Revised Statutes.
Free In-Person Inspection Options:
Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § 92F-11, government records are open to public inspection during regular business hours at the following locations:
Third Circuit Court - Hilo Division
777 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-7400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Hawaii State Judiciary
Third Circuit Court - Kona Division
74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808) 322-8700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Hawaii State Judiciary
While inspection of records is free, copying fees may apply if printed copies are requested.
Free Online Resources:
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eCourt Kokua - The Hawaii State Judiciary's case information system provides free basic searches of court cases, including criminal matters. Users can search by name or case number without creating an account or paying fees.
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Hawaii Police Department Booking Logs - The Hawaii County Police Department publishes recent booking information on their website at no cost to the public.
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Hawaii Sex Offender Registry - This free resource allows users to search for registered sex offenders in Hawaii County and throughout the state.
Fee-Based Services:
Some comprehensive criminal record searches require payment of fees:
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eCrim - The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center's criminal history record check system charges $5.00 per name search.
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Certified copies of court documents - The Hawaii State Judiciary charges fees for certified copies of court records, currently $2.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee.
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Background check services - Third-party background check companies may charge fees for comprehensive criminal history searches.
It is important to note that while basic information may be available for free, more detailed or comprehensive criminal history information typically requires payment of statutory fees. Additionally, while inspection of public records is generally free, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, review, and segregation of records in some circumstances, as permitted under Hawaii Administrative Rules.
What's Included in a Hawaii County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Hawaii County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized according to state regulations and includes several categories of information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and place of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Fingerprint classification
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Current and previous addresses
- Photograph/mugshot (if available)
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Location of arrest
- Charges at time of arrest with corresponding statute numbers
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date
- Charges filed by the prosecutor
- Statute citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
- Court appearance dates
- Plea information
- Defense attorney information
- Prosecutor information
- Judge assigned to the case
Disposition Information:
- Final outcome of each charge (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants (if any)
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offenses
- Traffic violations that resulted in criminal charges
- Pending charges
- Compliance with court-ordered programs
The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary depending on the source. Records obtained directly from the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center typically include complete criminal history information, while court records may focus primarily on case proceedings and outcomes. Records available through the eCourt Kokua system provide case-specific information but may not include complete criminal history.
It should be noted that pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § 846-9, certain information may be redacted from publicly available records, particularly in cases involving confidential informants, ongoing investigations, or juvenile proceedings.
How Long Does Hawaii County Keep Criminal Records?
Hawaii County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by state law and administrative rules. The duration for which different types of criminal records are retained varies based on record type, offense severity, and other factors.
Court Records Retention:
The Hawaii State Judiciary retains criminal case records according to the following general guidelines:
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Felony Cases: Permanent retention for serious felonies (murder, sexual assault). Other felony cases are typically retained for 75 years from the date of final disposition.
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Misdemeanor Cases: Generally retained for 25 years from the date of final disposition.
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Petty Misdemeanor and Violation Cases: Typically retained for 10 years from the date of final disposition.
These retention periods are established pursuant to Hawaii Court Records Rules and may be subject to modification by administrative directive.
Law Enforcement Records Retention:
The Hawaii Police Department maintains arrest records and investigative files according to the following general guidelines:
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Arrest Records: Maintained indefinitely in the department's records management system.
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Investigative Files: Retained for varying periods based on case type and status:
- Homicide cases: Permanent retention
- Sexual assault cases: 75 years
- Other felony cases: 25-50 years depending on severity
- Misdemeanor cases: 7-10 years
Criminal History Repository:
The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center maintains the state's central repository of criminal history information. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 846-2.5, criminal history record information is maintained indefinitely, with certain exceptions:
- Records may be expunged under specific circumstances outlined in statute
- Juvenile records may be sealed upon reaching adulthood, except for certain serious offenses
Expungement and Record Sealing:
Under certain circumstances, individuals may petition for expungement or sealing of criminal records:
- First-time non-violent offenders may be eligible for expungement after completing deferral periods
- Individuals acquitted or whose cases were dismissed may petition for expungement
- Juvenile records may be sealed upon reaching adulthood if specific criteria are met
The expungement process is governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes § 831-3.2 and requires filing a petition with the court that handled the case.
It is important to note that even when records are officially expunged from public access, certain criminal justice agencies may retain access to this information for law enforcement purposes. Additionally, federal agencies may maintain records independently of state expungement orders.
Lookup Criminal Records in Hawaii County
Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
Search Court Records - Judiciary
eCrim - Hawaii's Adult Criminal Information