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Hilo Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Hilo, Hawaii?

Arrest records are public documents in Hilo, Hawaii, pursuant to the Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), codified in Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92F. The UIPA establishes that all government records shall be available for public inspection unless access is restricted or closed by law. Under § 92F-12, arrest records are specifically designated as government records that must be disclosed upon request. This legal framework ensures transparency in law enforcement operations and upholds the public's right to information regarding arrests made within the jurisdiction.

The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) maintains that arrest records resulting in convictions are considered public record and may be disseminated to any member of the public upon proper request. However, certain exceptions apply to juvenile records and cases that have been expunged pursuant to statutory provisions.

How to Look Up Hilo Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Hilo arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Hawaii Police Department has established multiple methods for accessing these public documents:

  • In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Records and Identification Section at the Hawaii Police Department headquarters to submit a request for arrest records.

Hawaii Police Department - Records and Identification Section
349 Kapiolani Street
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-3311
Official Website

  • Online Access: The Hawaii Police Department's booking logs are available online, providing information about recent arrests. These logs are typically updated within 48 hours of an arrest, as required by law.

  • Written Requests: Pursuant to § 92F-11(b) of the UIPA, citizens may submit written requests for arrest records by mail. These requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest.

  • Judiciary eCourt Kokua: For arrest records that have progressed to court proceedings, the public may access case information through the Hawaii State Judiciary's electronic court record system.

Hawaii Third Circuit Court
Hale Kaulike
777 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4212
(808) 961-7400
Official Website

Operating hours for most government offices are Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays.

Contents of a Hilo Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Hawaii Police Department contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Pursuant to departmental policies and state regulations, these records typically include:

  • Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
  • Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical description
  • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
  • Statutory violations and charges filed
  • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
  • Booking information including mugshot photographs and fingerprint data
  • Bail or bond amount set, if applicable
  • Case number and court assignment information
  • Disposition of the case, if available

It should be noted that pursuant to § 92F-13 of the UIPA, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or could reasonably be expected to interfere with law enforcement proceedings.

Accessing Police Reports in Hilo

Police reports related to arrests in Hilo are available through the Records and Identification Section of the Hawaii Police Department. These reports provide additional context and details regarding the circumstances of an arrest. To obtain copies of police reports, members of the public must:

  1. Complete a Request to Access Government Record form
  2. Provide proper identification
  3. Pay applicable fees (currently $0.25 per page for standard copies)
  4. Submit the request either in person or by mail to the Records and Identification Section

Requests for police reports must include the report number, date of incident, location, and names of involved parties. Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the report and current departmental workload, but typically range from 7-10 business days.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Hilo, several statutory exceptions limit access to certain information. Under Hawaii state law, the following restrictions apply:

  • Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be withheld pursuant to § 92F-13(3)
  • Juvenile arrest records (individuals under 18) are confidential under Hawaii Family Court Rules
  • Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are not accessible to the public
  • Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy may be redacted
  • Records where disclosure would reveal the identity of confidential sources or investigative techniques

Additionally, the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center restricts the dissemination of non-conviction data except to criminal justice agencies or as specifically authorized by statute. This restriction is in accordance with § 846-9 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Hilo

Hawaii state law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § 831-3.2, individuals may petition for expungement if:

  • The arrest did not result in a conviction
  • The case was dismissed with prejudice
  • The individual was acquitted of all charges
  • The individual received a full pardon for the offense
  • The arrest was the result of mistaken identity or false accusation

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that had jurisdiction over the case. If granted, expungement orders the removal of all records of the arrest from public access, though law enforcement agencies may retain limited information for administrative purposes.

Petitions for expungement must be filed with:

Hawaii Third Circuit Court
Hale Kaulike
777 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4212
(808) 961-7400

Applicants must complete the appropriate forms, pay the filing fee (currently $50), and may need to attend a hearing before a judge. If approved, the court will issue an expungement order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records.

Using Court Records to Find Arrest Information

The Hawaii State Judiciary maintains court records that often contain information related to arrests. These records become available once an arrested individual has been formally charged and the case has entered the court system. Members of the public may access these records through:

  1. The eCourt Kokua online system, which provides case information including charges, hearing dates, and case dispositions
  2. In-person visits to the court clerk's office at the Hale Kaulike building
  3. Written requests submitted to the court clerk

Court records may provide additional information not contained in police arrest records, including:

  • Detailed charging documents
  • Bail hearing transcripts
  • Court appearances and continuances
  • Plea agreements
  • Trial proceedings
  • Sentencing information
  • Post-conviction matters

Pursuant to court rules, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public court records, including social security numbers, financial account numbers, and names of minor victims.

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