Criminal Records on the Big Island

Hawaii County criminal records are spread across several agencies on the Big Island. The Hawaii Police Department handles arrest records and booking logs. The Third Circuit Court keeps case records from start to finish. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center provides background check results through its statewide system. This page covers where to look, what each agency provides, how to make a request, and what to expect when you search for criminal records in Hawaii County.

Hawaii Police Department Records

The Hawaii Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for all of Hawaii County. Its headquarters sits at 349 Kapiolani Street in Hilo. The department operates district stations across both sides of the island, covering East Hawaii from Hilo and West Hawaii from Kona. All criminal arrest activity and police report records flow through this agency.

To get a copy of a police report, you can go in person to any district station or mail a written request. The Records and Identification Section at 349 Kapiolani Street, Hilo, HI 96720 handles mailed requests. You can also call the records unit directly. For East Hawaii records, dial (808) 961-2233. For West Hawaii records, call (808) 326-4646, ext. 285. The department responds within 10 business days. Reports are not released until a case is closed, adjudicated, or the statute of limitations has run out. Crime victims needing reports for insurance can sometimes get partial reports earlier.

The police report request page explains the process and lists all district station hours. Fees are $1.00 for the first page and $0.10 for each page after that. Cash only. If you are picking up a report for someone else, bring a letter of authorization from that person.

The department screens all copies before release. Redacted copies have personal identifiers blacked out. That includes names, home and email addresses, phone numbers, date of birth, Social Security numbers, and any medical, financial, or juvenile information. The requestor's own information stays in the report.

The Hawaii Police Department website provides access to crime news, booking logs, contact directories, and public safety resources for the entire Big Island.

Hawaii County Booking Logs

The Hawaii Police Department posts daily booking logs on its website. These logs list people arrested and charged with crimes within the prior 48-hour window. They are free to view. No login is needed. The logs do not include photos.

Booking log data can change after posting. An arrest shown on a log does not mean a person was convicted of anything. The charge may be amended, reduced, or dropped. If you need current information about a specific arrest, call the department's main line or check court records for case status. For general public searches, the logs are the quickest way to see recent arrest activity across the Big Island.

The booking logs page is updated daily and covers the 48-hour arrest window for all of Hawaii County, including both East and West Hawaii districts.

The department also offers media releases, email alerts, and text notifications through its news and media section. These tools let you follow crime news in real time without checking the site every day. The Hawaii County Crime Map is another resource listed on the same page. It shows crime activity by location across the island.

Note: Booking logs reflect arrests, not convictions. Criminal history checks through the HCJDC give you conviction-based information, which is a separate process.

District Station Locations and Hours

Hawaii County covers a large land area. The police department runs district stations on both sides of the island to serve the community. Each station can accept police report requests and handle non-emergency calls. Hours vary by station.

East Hawaii stations include Hilo, Honokaa, Laupahoehoe, Pahoa, and Ka'u. West Hawaii stations cover Kona, Waimea, and Kapa'au. The Hilo Records Section closes at 3:30 p.m., which is earlier than most other stations. Most stations open at 7:45 a.m. Kona opens a bit later at 8:30 a.m.

• Hilo Station Records: 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., (808) 961-2233
• Honokaa Station: 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., (808) 775-7533
• Laupahoehoe Station: 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., (808) 962-2120
• Pahoa Station: 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., (808) 966-5835
• Ka'u Station: 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., (808) 939-2520
• Kona Station: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., (808) 326-4646, ext. 286
• Waimea Station: 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., (808) 887-3080
• Kapa'au Station: 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., (808) 889-6540

The full contact directory for the department is also available online. The detailed contact directory lists phone numbers for specialized bureaus including criminal investigations, community policing, juvenile aid, media relations, and more.

The contact directory lists direct numbers for every bureau and section of the Hawaii Police Department, making it easier to reach the right unit for criminal records requests or case questions.

Third Circuit Court Criminal Records

The Third Circuit Court handles all criminal cases in Hawaii County. It has two courthouses: one in Hilo and one in Kailua-Kona. Both are open Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Felony cases go through Circuit Court. Misdemeanor and traffic matters are heard in District Court. Family Court handles juvenile cases separately.

Court records from the Third Circuit are available online through eCourt Kokua. The system covers District Court criminal cases going back to August 2012, along with felony arraignments and pleas from Circuit Court. Viewing basic case information is free. Downloading documents costs $3.00 per document for files up to 30 pages. Pages beyond 30 cost $0.10 each. Certified copies run $5.00 per document. Subscription plans are available: $125 per quarter or $500 per year for unlimited single downloads. You can search by party name, case ID, or citation number at eCourt Kokua.

For records not available online, you can visit either courthouse in person. The Hilo courthouse is at 777 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, phone (808) 961-7400. The Kona courthouse is at 74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, phone (808) 322-8700. Bring a photo ID. Staff can help you locate case files and request copies.

Criminal History Background Checks

The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) is the state's central repository for criminal history records. It operates under the Department of the Attorney General. HCJDC provides both name-based and fingerprint-based background checks. The results show adult conviction information from across the state, not just Hawaii County.

The easiest way to run a check is through eCrim, the state's online portal. You need an account. Searches cost $5.00 each. An official eCrim report costs $12.00. You can search by name, Social Security number, date of birth, or gender. Results show up right away. Complete everything in one session since the system logs you out after 30 minutes of inactivity. Some agencies may not accept online printouts, so check with the receiving agency first.

For in-person checks, two Public Access Sites serve Hawaii County. The Hawaii Police Department in Hilo handles checks at (808) 961-2233. The Kona District Police Station also provides the service at (808) 326-4646, ext. 286. Each printout at a Public Access Site costs $25.00. No appointment is needed for name-based checks.

Fingerprint-based checks in Hawaii County follow a specific process. Call (808) 587-3279 to book a fingerprinting appointment with the HCJDC's CHRC Unit. The in-office fee is $55.00. Mail-in fingerprint checks cost $35.00. Add $20.00 if you need a certified copy. Turnaround is 3 to 5 business days, or 7 to 10 if notarization is requested. Mail payments go to HCJDC, Attn: CHRC Unit, 465 S. King Street, Rm 102, Honolulu, HI 96813 by money order or cashier's check only. No cash is accepted at any HCJDC location.

The legal framework for these checks comes from Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 846, which governs criminal history record checks across the state. Under HRS Chapter 846, non-conviction information is restricted to criminal justice agencies and specific entities authorized by law. Conviction data is available to the public through the approved channels listed above.

Note: HCJDC does not handle juvenile records. For juvenile record checks, contact the Hawaii State Judiciary Family Court Juvenile Records Department at (808) 954-8190.

Hawaii County Jail and Inmate Records

Hawaii Community Correctional Center is the main detention facility for Hawaii County. It holds pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanants. The facility is located at 60 Punahele Street, Hilo, HI 96720, phone (808) 933-0431. It operates under the Hawaii Department of Public Safety.

To find out if someone is currently held at the facility, contact the Hawaii Department of Public Safety. The department maintains inmate information through its SAVIN/VINE system. VINE lets you look up inmate status online and sign up for alerts if an inmate is released or transferred. You do not need to pay to use the basic lookup function.

For information about an arrested adult, call the Hawaii Police Department directly at (808) 961-2213. This line is set up specifically for questions about people who have been recently arrested in Hawaii County. It does not provide full criminal history, just current custody status information.

Cities in Hawaii County

Hilo is the county seat and the main population center in Hawaii County. All criminal cases from across the Big Island flow through the Third Circuit Court system, with divisions in both Hilo and Kailua-Kona.

Other communities on the Big Island include Kailua-Kona, Waimea, Pahoa, Kapa'au, and Honokaa. Criminal records for all these areas are handled by the Hawaii Police Department and the Third Circuit Court.

Nearby Counties

Hawaii County is the southernmost county in the state. Maui County and Honolulu County are the closest neighbors by jurisdiction. Each county has its own police department and circuit court.