Yes, warrant records are public in Hawaii County, Hawaii. This accessibility is governed by the Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), codified in Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92F, which establishes that government records shall be open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The UIPA operates under the fundamental principle that government records are presumptively open to the public to promote accountability in governmental operations.
Warrant records maintain public status to uphold transparency in judicial proceedings. This openness allows citizens to be informed about legal actions within their community while supporting constitutional principles of due process. The Hawaii State Judiciary maintains these records in accordance with state statutes and administrative rules that balance the public's right to information with privacy considerations outlined in HRS § 92F-13.
Warrant records in Hawaii County typically contain the following information:
These records are maintained pursuant to Hawaii Rules of Penal Procedure Rule 9, which governs warrant issuance and content requirements.
Members of the public may access warrant information in Hawaii County through several no-cost methods:
Pursuant to HRS § 92F-11, government agencies must make records available for inspection and copying during regular business hours unless specifically exempted by statute.
The Sheriff Division of the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement is responsible for executing various types of warrants throughout Hawaii County. These legal documents authorize specific law enforcement actions and typically include:
The Sheriff Division operates under statutory authority granted in HRS § 353C-3 and works in coordination with county police departments to execute warrants according to legal requirements. Sheriff operations are conducted from their office at 75-5591 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, telephone 808-935-3311.
Individuals seeking to determine if warrants exist in their name may utilize several official channels:
Pursuant to Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 8, Chapter 101, individuals may request information about their own records through proper identification procedures. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center maintains these records in accordance with HRS § 846-2.7.
Hawaii County provides multiple methods for verifying the existence of outstanding warrants:
Searches may require proper identification pursuant to HRS § 846-9, which governs access to criminal justice information. Certain warrant information may be restricted based on statutory exemptions outlined in HRS § 92F-13.
Hawaii County Police Department
349 Kapiolani Street
Hilo, HI 96720
808-935-3311
Official Website
Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement - Sheriff Division
75-5591 Palani Road
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
808-327-3580
Official Website
Third Circuit Court - Hawaii County
777 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720
808-961-7400
Official Website