Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § 92F-11, warrants are considered public records in Kauai County, Hawaii. The Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act establishes that government records, including warrant information, shall be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. This statutory framework ensures transparency and accountability within the judicial system of Kauai County.
The Fifth Circuit Court, which serves Kauai County, maintains warrant records as part of its official documentation. Members of the public may access these records through established procedures, though certain limitations may apply to warrants related to ongoing investigations or those sealed by judicial order in accordance with Hawaii Rules of Penal Procedure Rule 9.
Public access to warrant information serves multiple governmental interests, including:
• Promoting transparency in judicial proceedings • Enabling individuals to verify their legal status • Supporting the integrity of law enforcement operations • Facilitating the resolution of outstanding legal matters
The Hawaii Judiciary maintains that public access to court records, including warrants, supports the fundamental principle that justice must be visible to be properly administered.
Warrant records maintained by Kauai County authorities typically contain specific information as prescribed by Hawaii Rules of Penal Procedure. Standard elements included in these official documents are:
• Subject's full legal name and known aliases • Date of birth and other identifying information • Physical description (height, weight, distinguishing features) • Last known address or location information • Nature and classification of the alleged offense • Statutory citation of violated laws • Date of warrant issuance • Name and signature of the issuing judicial officer • Case number and court of jurisdiction • Bail amount, if applicable • Special conditions or instructions for executing officers
Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § 803-1, arrest warrants must particularly describe the person to be apprehended and contain sufficient information to establish probable cause. Search warrants, governed by § 803-31, must specify the property or items subject to seizure and the premises to be searched.
Members of the public seeking to verify warrant status in Kauai County may utilize several no-cost resources established by county and state authorities:
The Kauai County Clerk's Office provides public access terminals for warrant inquiries during regular business hours at:
Kauai County Clerk's Office
4444 Rice Street, Suite 380
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 241-4800
Kauai County Clerk's Office
The Fifth Circuit Court maintains public records that may be accessed without charge at:
Fifth Circuit Court
3970 Kaana Street, Suite 210
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 482-2347
Hawaii State Judiciary
Additionally, the Hawaii State Judiciary provides limited court records search capabilities through its eCourt Kokua system, though certain restrictions apply to online access.
Individuals may also contact the Kauai Police Department Records Division during standard operating hours to inquire about warrant status:
Kauai Police Department Records Division
3990 Kaana Street, Suite 200
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 241-1645
Kauai Police Department
The Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division is responsible for executing warrants throughout Kauai County in accordance with Hawaii Revised Statutes § 353C-3. Sheriff warrants in Kauai County fall into several categories, each governed by specific statutory provisions:
• Arrest warrants (§ 803-1) - Authorizing the apprehension of individuals charged with criminal offenses • Bench warrants (§ 805-1) - Issued for failure to appear in court or comply with court orders • Search warrants (§ 803-31) - Permitting the examination of specified premises for evidence • Civil warrants - Related to non-criminal matters such as child support enforcement
The Sheriff Division maintains an office on Kauai to coordinate warrant service activities:
Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division - Kauai
3060 Eiwa Street, Room 306
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 482-2470
Department of Public Safety
Pursuant to departmental policy, sheriff deputies prioritize warrant service based on severity of the underlying offense, public safety considerations, and resource availability. The Sheriff Division coordinates with the Kauai Police Department on warrant execution to maximize operational efficiency.
As of 2025, individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Kauai County have multiple verification methods established by county ordinance and state law:
The Hawaii State Judiciary has expanded its electronic verification system to include warrant status checks through the following resources:
The eCourt Kokua system provides searchable access to court records, including warrant information, at Hawaii Judiciary eCourt Kokua
The Fifth Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains current warrant records accessible during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, excluding holidays) at:
Fifth Circuit Court
3970 Kaana Street, Suite 210
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 482-2347
Kauai County Sheriff's Office
3060 Eiwa Street, Room 306
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 482-2470
Individuals with active warrants are advised that resolution options may include appearing voluntarily before the court, arranging surrender through an attorney, or addressing the underlying matter through established legal channels.
Verification of outstanding warrants in Kauai County may be accomplished through several official channels established pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § 92F-11:
The Fifth Circuit Court maintains the official registry of outstanding warrants for Kauai County. Members of the public may request warrant status information by:
• Appearing in person at the courthouse during regular business hours (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday) • Submitting a written request using the Judiciary's Record Request Form JUD-001 • Providing proper identification and case information when making inquiries
Fifth Circuit Court
3970 Kaana Street, Suite 210
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 482-2347
Hawaii State Judiciary
The Kauai Police Department Records Division provides limited warrant information to concerned parties with proper identification:
Kauai Police Department Records Division
3990 Kaana Street, Suite 200
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 241-1645
Kauai Police Department
Attorneys licensed to practice in Hawaii may access additional warrant information through the Hawaii State Bar Association's secure portal when representing clients with proper authorization.
• Hawaii Judiciary Court Records Search • Hawaii Electronic Bench Warrant System • Child Support Enforcement Agency • Department of Public Safety