Search Felony Records in Kauai County

Kauai County felony records are held by several agencies, including the Kauai Police Department, the Fifth Circuit Court in Lihue, and the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. You can search criminal docket records online, request copies in person, or submit a written request by mail. This page covers every method available to get felony case information for Kauai County.

Kauai Police Department Records

The Kauai Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency on the island. They handle felony arrests, incident reports, and the public access terminal for criminal history checks. The department is located at 3990 Kaana Street in Lihue, just down the road from the Fifth Circuit Court. Most people who need a quick conviction check start here.

Kauai PD operates a public access terminal for criminal history records. This terminal gives you conviction records for adults only. The cost is $25 per printout. Call (808) 241-1661 to reach the records desk. The terminal is available during normal business hours. Keep in mind that the terminal shows conviction data only. It does not show arrest records that did not result in a conviction, and it does not show juvenile records. For a more complete picture of someone's criminal history, you may need to go through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) instead.

To request a police report or incident record, you need to give the department some basic details. That means the date and location of the incident, the names of people involved, and a valid government-issued ID. The department follows Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act, which is found at HRS Chapter 92F. Reports tied to open investigations are withheld. Completed case reports are released with certain redactions as required by law.

The Kauai Police Department serves all communities on the island, including Lihue, Kapaa, Waimea, and Hanalei. None of those communities have their own separate law enforcement. All felony arrests and related records flow through the KPD records desk.

The Kauai Police Department website at kauai.gov/police has contact details and information on how to submit a records request.

Fifth Circuit Court Felony Records

Felony criminal cases in Kauai County are heard by the Fifth Circuit Court. All case filings, docket entries, hearing dates, and final judgments are stored with the court clerk. The court is at 3970 Kaana Street in Lihue, right near the Kauai Police Department. Court records are public unless a judge has ordered them sealed.

The fastest way to search court records is through eCourt Kokua, the Hawaii Judiciary's free online docket system. You can look up felony cases by name or case number. The system shows docket entries, charges, court dates, and case status. It does not show full documents, but it gives you enough to know what a case involves and when key events occurred. For full case documents, you need to visit the courthouse or request certified copies.

Certified copies of court records cost $2.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. Felony case files are retained for 75 years. Bring your ID when you visit in person. Staff can help you locate a file, but they cannot give legal advice.

Note: eCourt Kokua is available at no cost for basic docket searches. Full document copies require a fee.

Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center

The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) is the statewide agency that compiles and manages criminal history records for all counties, including Kauai. If you need a comprehensive criminal history check rather than just a local conviction record, HCJDC is the right place to go. They draw data from courts, police agencies, and corrections statewide.

Kauai residents and others can request records from HCJDC in a few different ways. The online option is eCrim, available at ecrim.ehawaii.gov. A basic name search costs $5. A full criminal history report costs $12. These are self-service and do not require you to contact the office directly. Turnaround is usually quick for online requests. For more formal background checks, you can submit a mail request. A name-based check by mail costs $30. A fingerprint-based check costs $35. If you need a certified copy, add $20 to either fee.

Kauai residents can also visit the HCJDC public access terminal at the Kauai Police Department. Call (808) 241-1661 to confirm hours and availability. The terminal fee is $25 per printout and covers conviction records for adults only. The HCJDC main office is located in Honolulu at 465 South King Street, Room 101. Their phone number is (808) 587-3100. You can find full details on their public access sites page.

The HCJDC public access sites page lists terminal locations across all Hawaii counties, including Kauai.

DLE Sheriff Division - Kauai

The Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) operates a Sheriff Division office in Lihue. This office provides court security at the Fifth Circuit Court. They are not the primary records agency for felony cases, but they do handle certain records requests through the statewide sheriff system.

The Kauai Sheriff Division office is at 3060 Eiwa Street, Room 315, Lihue, HI 96766. Local phone: (808) 482-2470. For sheriff records, the statewide number is (808) 587-5121. The Department of Law Enforcement website has more detail on the services they provide. If your records question involves court security records or DLE-specific incidents, this office is the right starting point. Most felony criminal records, though, will come from Kauai PD or the Fifth Circuit Court.

The Kauai County government website connects you to department directories, UIPA request procedures, and other county services.

Kauai County Felony Records and Public Access

Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act governs access to government records, including felony records held by Kauai County agencies. Under HRS § 92F-11(a), all government records are open to public inspection unless a specific exception applies. You do not need to give a reason to request records. You just need to make the request in writing and identify the record you want.

Exceptions are listed in HRS § 92F-13. These cover things like ongoing investigations, personal privacy, and records protected by other laws. For example, arrest records tied to active investigations may not be released right away. Records about juveniles are restricted under separate statutes. The Office of Information Practices (OIP) at oip.hawaii.gov provides guidance on what can and cannot be disclosed. If a records request is denied, OIP can review the denial.

Criminal history record use is also governed by HRS § 846-2.7, which limits how criminal history information can be used and by whom. Anyone who obtains criminal records through official channels must use the information only for lawful purposes.

For UIPA-related guidance and how to submit an open records request for Kauai County, visit kauai.gov.

Expungements in Kauai County

A felony record in Kauai County may be eligible for expungement under certain conditions. Hawaii's expungement process is handled through the HCJDC expungements office. Not all felony convictions qualify. Cases that ended in acquittal, dismissal, or deferred acceptance of a guilty plea may be eligible. Convictions for most felony offenses do not qualify without meeting specific criteria.

The Hawaii Attorney General's office and HCJDC manage the expungement process. You file the petition through HCJDC, not through the court. If granted, the record is sealed from public view. Law enforcement can still access sealed records in some situations. Talk to a lawyer before you apply if you are not sure whether your case qualifies.

Additional public records resources for Kauai County are available through the Kauai County government website.

Note: Expungement eligibility varies by case type and outcome. HCJDC staff cannot give legal advice, so consult an attorney if you have questions about your specific situation.

Communities in Kauai County

Kauai County covers the entire island of Kauai. All felony cases from any community on the island go through the Fifth Circuit Court in Lihue and the Kauai Police Department.

Major communities on Kauai include Lihue (the county seat), Kapaa, Waimea, and Hanalei. None of these communities meet the population threshold to have their own separate records pages. For any felony records tied to these areas, use the Kauai PD terminal, eCourt Kokua, or contact the Fifth Circuit Court directly.

Nearby Counties

Hawaii's other counties each have their own court systems and police departments. If you are not sure which county your case falls under, use eCourt Kokua to search statewide.