Criminal records in Hawaii can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. HawaiiCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Hawaii State Judiciary's electronic court records system, the Hawaiʻi Police Department, and the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center also serve as key access points for criminal case data across the state.
How to Search Criminal Records in Hawaii
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Hawaii. Start with the approach that fits your situation:
Online Search Options
- HawaiiCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information by name or case number.
- eCourt Kokua — The Hawaii State Judiciary's public case search portal. It covers Circuit Court criminal, District Court criminal, Family Court, and appellate cases. You can search by party name, case number, or citation number.
- eCrim — Maintained by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC), eCrim lets you search for and view an individual's adult conviction information from HCJDC's criminal history record files. A per-search fee applies.
- Hawaiʻi Police Department Booking Logs — Recent arrest and booking data for Hawaiʻi Island. Police have 48 hours to charge an individual after arrest.
- Hawaii Sex Offender Registry — Public search tool for registered sex offenders statewide.
- VINELink Inmate Search — Monitor the custody status of inmates in Hawaiʻi jails or prisons.
In Person
Visit the Third Circuit Court clerk's office in Hilo or Kona to search court records using public access terminals. Staff can assist with locating case files.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Submit a written request to the Third Circuit Court clerk specifying the defendant's name, case number (if known), and date of birth.
- Police reports: Written requests can be mailed to the Records and Identification Section, Hawaiʻi Police Department, 349 Kapiʻolani Street, Hilo, HI 96720.
- Criminal history checks: The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center processes statewide criminal history record checks. Only adult conviction information is included.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Social Security Number (required for formal HCJDC background checks)
Search Hawaii Criminal Cases by Case Number
Hawaii uses a standardized case numbering format across its courts. Understanding the format helps you locate records quickly in eCourt Kokua or at the clerk's office.
A typical Hawaii criminal case number follows this pattern:
3CPC-XX-XXXXXXX
- 3 — The circuit number. Hawaii County is in the Third Circuit.
- CPC — The case type code. "CPC" indicates a Circuit Court criminal case. Other codes include "DCR" for District Court criminal and "1SS" or similar prefixes for other case types.
- XX — The two-digit year the case was filed (e.g., "23" for 2023).
- XXXXXXX — The sequential case number assigned by the court.
If you have a case number, enter it directly into the eCourt Kokua search to pull up charges, hearing dates, and disposition information. Partial case numbers may not return results — use the full number when possible.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Hawaii
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) section cited in the charging document (e.g., HRS §707-711 for Assault in the Second Degree) |
| Severity | Felony (Class A, B, or C), misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be amended by the prosecution before or during trial; the amended charge and statute will appear in the case record |
| Count Number | Each charge in a multi-count case is numbered separately |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open; proceedings are ongoing.
- Active — Case has scheduled hearings or motions.
- Disposed — A final judgment or order has been entered.
- Closed — All proceedings, including sentencing and post-judgment matters, are complete.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea.
- Preliminary Hearing — Court determines whether probable cause exists to proceed (felony cases).
- Pre-Trial Conference — Parties discuss case status, plea negotiations, and trial readiness.
- Trial — Bench or jury trial on the merits.
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea.
- Review Hearing — Court reviews probation compliance, treatment progress, or other conditions.
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict.
- Not Guilty — Defendant acquitted at trial.
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecution (with or without prejudice).
- No Contest (Nolo Contendere) — Defendant does not contest the charges; treated as a conviction for sentencing purposes.
- Deferred Acceptance of Guilty Plea (DAGP) — Court defers judgment; if conditions are met, the charge may be dismissed.
- Deferred Acceptance of No Contest Plea (DANC) — Similar to DAGP but entered on a no contest plea.
- Acquitted — Found not guilty; charges resolved in defendant's favor.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Hawaii
Court Records
Certified copies of criminal court records are available from the Third Circuit Court clerk's office. You can request them in person or by mail.
Third Circuit Court — Hilo
Third Circuit Court — Kona
Provide the case number, defendant name, and specify which documents you need certified. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for in-person requests.
Statewide Criminal History Records
For a formal criminal history record check, submit a request to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. This process includes fingerprint-based searches and returns only adult conviction information. Arrest records that resulted in convictions are considered public record.
Applicants must submit fingerprints (taken at a LiveScan location or using an ink card) along with the required application form and fee.
Police Reports
Copies of police reports for incidents on Hawaiʻi Island can be requested from the Hawaiʻi Police Department Records and Identification Section.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Hawaii
| Service | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| eCrim online conviction search | $1.00 per search (plus transaction fee) | Immediate (online) |
| HCJDC criminal history record check (Hawaii-only) | $30.00 | Approximately 5–10 business days |
| HCJDC criminal history record check (FBI/national) | $40.25 | Approximately 2–4 weeks |
| Court document copies (non-certified) | $0.25 per page | Same day (in person); varies by mail |
| Certified court document copies | $0.25 per page plus certification fee | Same day to several business days |
| Police report copies | Varies; contact HPD Records Section | Varies |
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the issuing office before submitting payment. Court copy fees are set under Hawaii court administrative rules. HCJDC fees are established by the Department of the Attorney General under HRS §846-2.7.