Crime Statistics
According to reports published in 2017 by the Hawaiian crime prevention and justice assistance division, Hawaii county recorded a total of 2,954 index crimes, signaling a 7.6% increase from the figures reported in 2016. Violent index crimes and property crimes equally spiked over 7%, with reported totals of 255 and 2,699 respectively.
Marked declines were recorded in murder and arson, which fell 45.2% and 23.0% respectively. Conversely, cases of motor vehicle theft and rape increased by 37.4% and 21.8% respectively. Robbery and aggravated assault also recorded 10.1% and 2.3% increases while burglary and larceny-theft jumped 4.5% and 3.9% respectively.
Criminal Records
While the Hawaii Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency of the Big Island, requests for criminal history records and background checks are processed at the Hawaii Criminal Justice Center.
How to Get Criminal Records
Hawaii Criminal history records typically include all adult criminal conviction information of the indicated subject. This can be obtained using the Hawaii Online Record Check tool or by querying the Hawaii Criminal Justice Center via mail.
Online requests can be processed and accessed online by the requestor. To use the online tool, the requesting party will be required to make a payment of $5 (per unique search) and an additional $10 for the eCrime report if requested. After the payment, the requesting party may conduct a name-based search on the site and print out the result.
Mail requests may be made by completing a Request for Criminal History Record Check and sending it via mail along with a payment of $30 (plus $20 if the record is to be notarized) to:
Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
Attn: CHRC Unit
465 S. King Street, Room 102
Honolulu, HI 96813
How to Get Arrest and Police Reports
Police and arrest reports are maintained by the district station that handled the incident or made the arrest and can be obtained by calling the station concerned or sending a written mail request to the Records and Identification Section of the Hawaiʻi Police Department at:
349 Kapi‘olani Street,
Hilo, 96720
How to Find The Sex Offender Registry and Other Sex Offender Information
Information relating to sex offenders resident in Hawaii county can be found using the Covered Offender Search Tool of the Hawaii Attorney Generals Office. Offenders may be searched by name, address, status or proximity to a specific radius. Other sex offender related question may be directed to:
465 South King Street, Room 102
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 587-3350
How to Find Inmate and Jail Information
Hawaii County inmate and jail-related information is managed by the Hawaii Department of Public Safety and is available for public viewing on the Hawaii Community Correctional Center Information Page. However, specific detainee information such as their charges, bail/bond conditions, and commissary procedures may only be obtained by calling correctional facility staff on (808) 933-0431
Court Records
Where and How to Get Court Records
Hawaii County court records are managed by a variety of offices depending on where the court case was filed or heard. For the most part, court records maintained by the county judiciary are open records and are available to interested members of the public. However, the process for obtaining the records are unique to the various custodians within the county.
To access court records, interested persons may study the Court Records Request Publication prepared by the Hawaii State Judiciary, to determine what process works for their specific request.
Alternatively, records can be accessed using the Hawaii State Judiciary Online Record Search Tool which houses District, Circuit, Family and appellate court records. To use the online tool, requestors will be required to provide relevant information to facilitate record search - such as the name of the defendant/witness/victim and the case file number if applicable.
Location of All Courts in County
Listed below are the locations and contact information the courthouses in Hawaii County, Hawaii:
Hawaii Third Circuit Court
Hale Kaulike
777 Kilauea Avenue,
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 961-7440
Fax: (808) 961-7598
Hawaii Third Circuit Court - Kona
Keakealani Building
79-1020 Haukapila Street,
Kealakekua, HI 96750
(808) 322-8700
Hawaii Third Circuit Court - Waimea
Waimea Civic Center at Kamuela
67-5187 Kamamalu Street,
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 443-2030
Hawaii Third Circuit District Court
Hale Kaulike
777 Kilauea Avenue,
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 961-7470
Fax: (808) 961-7598
Hawaii Third Circuit District Court - Kona
Keakealani Building
79-1020 Haukapila Street,
Kealakekua, HI 96750
(808) 322-8700
Hawaii Third Circuit District Court - Waimea
Waimea Civic Center at Kamuela
67-5187 Kamamalu Street,
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 443-2030
Hawaii Third Circuit Family Court
Hale Kaulike
777 Kilauea Avenue,
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 961-7440
Fax: (808) 961-7598
Hawaii Third Circuit Family Court - Kona
Keakealani Building
79-1020 Haukapila Street,
Kealakekua, HI 96750
(808) 322-8700
Hawaii Third Circuit Family Court - Waimea
Waimea Civic Center at Kamuela
67-5187 Kamamalu Street,
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 443-2030
Vital Records
Where and How to Get Divorce Records
The Vital Records Unit of the State of Hawaii Department of Health processes requests for records of divorces that were granted within its jurisdiction. Interested persons may obtain copies of divorce records by sending a request in person, online or via mail. However, as per Hawaii state law, only the registrants and legally authorized persons are eligible to request copies of divorce records.
Eligible persons may use the Online Vital Records Ordering and Tracking System to request a record. This requires information about the names of divorcees, the date of the divorce as well as a payment of $10 paid by credit card, money order or certified cheque. Similarly, mail-in requests must indicate relevant information about the divorce and must also include a photocopy of the requestor's government-issued ID. Applications may be sent to:
State Department of Health
Office of Health Status Monitoring
Issuance/Vital Statistics Section
P.O. Box 3378 Honolulu, HI 96801
Where and How to Get Marriage, Birth, and Death Records
The Vital Records Unit of the State of Hawaii Department of Health also maintains and issues marriage records, birth records and death records of Hawaii County. Certified copies of these records may only be obtained by requestors who have been proven to have a tangible interest. To this end, they must be one of the following persons:
- The registrant(s)
- Their parents or legal guardians, spouses or descendants
- Their immediate family members
- A legal representative of the registrant or their family members
- Persons with legal authorization
Eligible request any record using the Online Vital Records Ordering and Tracking System with which requesters can also monitor the status and track the progress of their reports. Using the online system will require information about the registrant and the event - such as the date and place of birth, death or marriage.
Similarly, requests may be sent via mail to the department. Mail-in queries must include a written request which should state relevant information about the registrant and event. Requests must also be accompanied by a photocopy of the requestor's government-issued ID. Applications may then be sent to:
State Department of Health
Office of Health Status Monitoring
Issuance/Vital Statistics Section
P.O. Box 3378 Honolulu, HI 96801
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
