Posted on: Sunday, March 13, 2005
A guide to getting public information
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Advertiser Staff
THE COURTS
STATE DISTRICT
What's in it: Traffic cases, misdemeanor criminal cases, Small Claims Court cases, temporary restraining orders. Who can get it: General public. Certain information available only to persons involved; other records sealed by court order. Where to get it: Main District Courts in each county. Rural District Courts have very limited pubic information available. What you need: Requesters must have specific identifying information such as the case file number or date of court appearance. Misdemeanor criminal cases, including traffic offenses, are often difficult to locate. What it costs: $5 retrieval fee for each file requested. Copying fees, $1 for the first page, 50 cents per page thereafter. Contact number: (Traffic violations) O'ahu, 538-5500; Maui, (808) 244-2800; Big Island, (808) 961-7430; Kaua'i, (808) 246-3330. (Small claims/temporary restraining orders) O'ahu, 538-5151; Maui, (808) 244-2838; Big Island, (808) 961-7430; Kaua'i, (808) 246-3301. (Criminal cases) Maui, (808) 244-2967; Big Island, (808) 961-7470; Kaua'i, (808) 246-3330 (press 1 to bypass messages).
Available online?: Partially. Some records can be identified on the judiciary's Ho'ohiki system. Small-claims records must be located using computer terminals at District Court. A new public access computer system is under development, but won't be ready for at least two years. What's in it: Records of civil lawsuits, felony criminal cases, divorce proceedings, mechanic's liens, Family Court domestic abuse criminal cases, probate cases. Who can get it: General public. Certain Family Court cases involving minors are restricted to authorized family members. Other records may be sealed by judge's order. Where to get it: O'ahu Circuit Court building, 777 Punchbowl St.; Maui Circuit Court, 2145 Main St., Wailuku; Hawai'i Circuit Court, 75 Aupuni St., Hilo; Kaua'i Circuit Court, 3059 Umi St., Lihu'e. What you need: A valid ID. What it costs: Self-service copying machine, 15 cents per page. Official certified copies, $1 per page. Contact number: O'ahu, 539-4300; Maui, (808) 244-2969; Big Island, (808) 961-7400; Kaua'i, (808) 246-3300. Available online?: Partially. Index of each case's records, including scheduled hearing dates, is available via state judiciary's Ho'ohiki system. Actual records must be accessed in person. What's in it: Files of lower court cases now on appeal to the Supreme Court. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Hawai'i Supreme Court, 417 S. King St. What you need: Supreme Court case number, which is different from the lower court case number. Obtain number from lower court case files on Ho'ohiki Web site. What it costs: Copying fees, 50 cents per page. Contact number: 539-4928 Available online? Partially. Appellate decisions are available at www.courts.state.hi.us/. Documents filed in pending appeals are only available by requesting them in person. What's in it: Civil, criminal case files. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Prince Kuhio Federal Building, 300 Ala Moana. What you need: A valid picture ID to enter the courthouse. Look up cases by number or name of party on computer terminal in court clerk's office. What it costs: Copying fees, 50 cents for first page; 25 cents each additional page. Contact number: 541-1300. Available online?: Yes, through the PACER system at www.pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/. Users must register and be assigned a password. Download fee of 8 cents per page, capped at a maximum of $2.40 per document. Users can access U.S. District, Appellate and Bankruptcy Court records nationwide. Hawai'i District Court posts docket sheets only on PACER. Additional records/information available at www.hid.uscourts.gov/. What's in it: Bankruptcy case files. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Bankruptcy Court, 1132 Bishop St., Suite 250L. Look up cases on computer terminals at court clerk's office. Cases can be searched by name of individual or business or by case number. What you need: A valid ID. What it costs: Copying fees, 10 cents per page. Contact number: 522-8100. Available online?: Yes, through the PACER system (see Federal District Court above) www.pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/. Complete images of most Hawai'i Bankruptcy Court documents available. Additional records/information available at www.hib.uscourts.gov/.
ACCIDENT REPORTS
What's in it: Police reports with names, addresses for everyone involved and a brief accident description and diagram. If the accident is serious enough to prompt a criminal investigation, you will also get the face page of that report. Who can get it: Anyone involved in the accident. Where to get it: Main police stations in each county. What you need: A valid ID. What it costs: First page, 25 cents to $1; each additional page, 10 cents to 25 cents. Contact number: O'ahu, 529-3271; Big Island, (808) 961-2247; Maui, (808) 244-6350; Kaua'i, (808) 241-1660. Available online?: No. What's in it: A person's name, age and address and offense the person is suspected of committing are listed on a daily public log. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: At the station where a person was arrested and the records division of the county's main police station. What you need: N/A. What it costs: Free to view, but no photocopying is allowed. Contact number: O'ahu, 529-3271; Big Island, (808) 961-2247; Maui, (808) 244-6350; Kaua'i, (808) 241-1660. Available online?: No. What's in it: For closed cases, the entire investigation, including witness statements, is included but in most counties, all names are blacked out. Who can get it: General public, but only after a case is closed. An open case requires a subpoena. Where to get it: At your county's main police station. What you need: A valid ID. What it costs: First page can cost 25 cents to $1; each additional page, 10 cents to 25 cents. Contact number: O'ahu, 529-3271; Big Island, 808 (961-2247); Maui, (808) 244-6350; Kaua'i, (808) 241-1660. Available online?: No. What's in it: Names, photographs, street addresses of certain convicted sex offenders. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Hawai'i Criminal Justice Data Center Web site. What you need: Internet access. What it costs: No charge.
Available online?: Yes, at pahoehoe.ehawaii.gov/sexoff/index.html.
What's in it: Traffic-related allegations and convictions of all moving citations covered by Hawai'i state law.
Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Most District Courts (see above). What you need: Valid ID of yourself and as much information as possible about the driver you are looking up — name, Social Security number, date of birth, address. What it costs: $7. Contact number: (808) 538-5500. Available online?: No. What's in it: Your name and address, a brief description of the crime, including date, time and location. Who can get it: Crime victims. Where to get it: Any police station and sometimes at a substation. What you need: A valid ID. What it costs: First page, 25 cents to $1; each additional page, 10 cents to 25 cents. Contact number: O'ahu, 529-3271; Big Island, (808) 961-2247; Maui County, (808) 244-6350; Kaua'i, (808) 241-1660. Available online?: No. What's in it: State felony and misdemeanor criminal conviction records. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Hawai'i Criminal Justice Data Center, 465 S. King St., Room 101; any main police station and Neighbor Island district courts. What you need: Name, birth date, Social Security number of individual to be researched. What it costs: Each location has a public access computer for viewing the records but a printout will cost you $10 to $15. Contact number: Data Center, 587-3100. Also, the records sections of local police departments: O'ahu, 529-3681; Big Island, (808) 961-2247; Maui, (808) 244-6350; Kaua'i, (808) 241-1660. Available online?: No. But request forms can be downloaded from www.hawaii.gov/hcjdc.
BIRTH CERTIFICATES
What's in it: Name, date, time and location of birth. Mother's maiden name. Race of each parent. Who can get it: Individuals who have a direct and tangible interest in the record, usually a relative, guardian or representative of a person's estate. Where to get it: Apply in person at the Health Department, 1250 Punchbowl St., Room 103, or mail request to State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring, Issuance/Vital Statistics Section, P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, HI, 96801. Limited Internet requests can be made at www.ehawaiigov.org/ohsm. What you need: Provide personal information to prove your connection to the individual named in the certificate. What it costs: $10 for the first copy; $4 for each additional copy. Available online?: No. But detailed information is available at www.hawaii.gov/health/vital- What's in it: Vital statistics, including name, date and place of birth, occupation, parents' names and official cause of death. Who can get it: Individuals who have a direct and tangible interest in the record, usually a relative, guardian or representative of a person's estate. Where to get it: Apply in person at the Health Department, 1250 Punchbowl St., Room 103, or mail request to State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring, Issuance/Vital Statistics Section, P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, HI, 96801. What you need: Provide personal information to prove your connection to the individual named in the certificate. What it costs: $10 for the first copy; $4 for each additional copy. Available online?: No. But detailed information is available at www.hawaii.gov/health/vital- What's in it: Vital statistics, including names of husband and wife involved, their birth dates, place of marriage, number of children and name changes to be made after divorce. Who can get it: Individuals who have a direct and tangible interest in the record, usually a relative, guardian or representative of a person's estate. Where to get it: Apply in person at the Health Department, 1250 Punchbowl St., Room 103, or mail request to State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring, Issuance/Vital Statistics Section, P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, HI, 96801. What you need: Provide personal information to prove your connection to the individual named in the certificate. What it costs: $10 for the first copy; $4 for each additional copy. Available online?: No. But detailed information is available at www.hawaii.gov/health/vital- What's in it: Names of bride and groom, date and place of birth, date and location of marriage. Who can get it: Individuals who have a direct and tangible interest in the record, usually a relative, guardian or representative of a person's estate. Where to get it: Apply in person at the Health Department, 1250 Punchbowl St., Room 103, or mail request to State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring, Issuance/Vital Statistics Section, P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, HI, 96801. Limited Internet requests can be made at www.ehawaiigov.org/ohsm. What you need: Provide personal information to prove your connection to the individual named in the certificate. What it costs: $10 for the first copy; $4 for each additional copy. Available online?: No. But detailed information is available at www.hawaii.gov/health/vital-
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
What's in it: State government contracting and purchasing records. Links to county records. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Online at www.spo.hawaii.gov/. What it costs: Free. What's in it: Text and status of pending bills; committee hearings schedules; searchable set of state laws. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Online at www.capitol.hawaii.gov/. What it costs: Free. What's in it: Scheduled meetings and agendas of all state boards and commissions. Who can get it: General public.
Where to get it: Online at www.ehawaiigov.org/serv/eventcal?PF=hic&Clist=36&_action=View+Calendar.
What it costs: Free.
CARE HOME
What's in it: The name and address of the care home, any violations found and resolutions to those violations. The report is public once the Department of Health accepts any pending plan to correct violations. All resident or witness names will be redacted. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Only from the Department of Health's Office of Health Care Assurance in Kapolei. What you need: N/A. What it costs: The first 120 pages are free and additional pages are 25 cents each. Reports average 10 pages. Contact number: (808) 692-7400 and ask for the nurse consultant. Available online?: No. What's in it: A Child Care Licensing Record from the state Department of Human Services contains childcare provider information, including abuse and neglect complaints and how they were resolved, a staff listing, a record of staff medical exams, immunizations and employment history and all building, fire code, food and sanitation inspections. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: DHS contracts with People Attentive to Children, or PATCH, to issue the report. There are offices in each county. What you need: N/A. What it costs: Copies are 5 cents a page. You have to request them in person. Contact number: On O'ahu, 839-1988; Maui (808) 242-9232; Kaua'i (808) 246-0622; East Hawai'i (808) 961-3169 and West Hawai'i (808) 325-3864. Available online?: No. What's in it: The name and address of the restaurant, its inspection report, any violations found and resolutions to those violations, fines levied. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Each island has a branch. If you call ahead of time, branch workers can pull the inspection and let you know how many pages are involved.
What you need: N/A.
What it costs: 50 cents a page. If you send a check, the report can be mailed to you.
Contact number: Call 586-8000 on O'ahu; (808) 933-0917 in Hilo, (808) 322-1507 in Kona; (808) 241-3323 on Kaua'i; and (808) 984-8230 on Maui.
Available online?: No.
OFFICERS, COMPLAINTS
What's in it: Officers/directors of Hawai'i companies or partnerships; records of complaints filed against companies or individuals that must have a license to do business in the state; tax licenses issued to companies and individuals doing business in Hawai'i. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs on each island; tax department office on each island. What you need: A valid ID. Who to call: (808) 586-2727. What it costs: 25 cents per page. Available online?: Some information is available at www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/rico/business_online/.
PERFORMANCE REPORTS
What's in it: No Child Left Behind public school reports, including performance measures for reading, math, test participation, and graduation or retention; School Quality Survey results measuring parent and student satisfaction with individual schools; School Status & Improvement Report giving information on the school body, including ethnic breakdowns, students per teacher and test scores. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Online. What you need: N/A. What it costs: N/A. Contact number: State Department of Education's Evaluation Section, 733-4008. Available online?: Yes, arch.k12.hi.us/.
OWNERSHIP, ASSESSMENTS
What's in it: Who owns real estate in Hawai'i; property tax assessments. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Online. What you need: Address of property; name of owner. What it costs: N/A, available online. Contact number: Honolulu 527-5500; Big Island (808) 961-8354; Maui (808) 270-7297; Kaua'i (808) 241-6222. Available online?: Honolulu: www.honolulupropertytax.com/; Big Island: www.hawaiipropertytax.com/; Maui: www.mauipropertytax.com/; Kaua'i: www.kauaipropertytax.com/. What's in it: Records of real-estate sales; mortgages; tax liens. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: State Department of Land and Natural Resources, each island. What you need: Name of owner of property; tax map key is helpful. What it costs: 50 cents per page. Contact number: 587-0154. Available online?: Yes. For an index of records going back to 1996, visit 132.160.239.151/boc/. Images of the records are not available online, but certified copies of records can be ordered online at $10 per document. What's in it: Records of building permits issued in each county. Records include names of applicants/contractors; status of permit; schedule of inspections. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Building permit departments in each county.
What you need: A valid ID.
What it costs: N/A, available online.
Contact number: City Department of Permitting & Planning, 527-6743; Maui Department of Planning, (808) 270-7735; Big Island Department of Public Works, (808) 961-8321; Kaua'i Department of Public Works, (808) 241-6655.
Available online?: Yes. Honolulu: gis.hicentral.com/ (click on parcel & zoning, search by address or parcel number); Maui: www.co.maui.hi.us/online_services/; Big Island: www.hawaiicounty.com/permits/permits.htm (chronological lists of building permits issued); Kaua'i: not available.
ETHICS COMMISSION
What's in it: Financial disclosure forms of elected state officials and high-level appointed officials; disclosures of gifts accepted by state employees; state lobbyist disclosures; Ethics Commission opinions. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Online or in-person at the commission office, 1001 Bishop St., Ste 970. What it costs: Free of charge online. Contact number: 587-0460. Available online?: Yes, www.state.hi.us/ethics/. What's in it: Records of political campaign donations and expenditures of state and local candidates; government contracts awarded to major campaign contributors. Who can get it: General public. Where to get it: Online or at the commission office, 235 S. Beretania St. Room 300. What it costs: Most records available free of charge online; 5 cents per page for hard copies. Contact number: 586-0285. Available online?: Yes. Most records available at www.state.hi.us/campaign/.
STATE CIRCUIT
STATE SUPREME
FEDERAL DISTRICT
FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY
SAFETY/POLICE
ARREST LOGS
POLICE REPORTS
SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY
TRAFFIC ABSTRACT REPORTS
VICTIM VERIFICATION LETTERS
CRIMINAL CONVICTION RECORDS
VITAL RECORDS
records/vital-records/index.html.
DEATH CERTIFICATES
records/vital-records/index.html.
DIVORCE CERTIFICATES
records/vital-records/index.html.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES
records/vital-records/index.html.
GOVERNMENT
HAWAI'I LEGISLATURE
HAWAI'I STATE CALENDAR
HEALTH RECORDS
CHILDCARE PROVIDER
RESTAURANT INSPECTION
BUSINESS
SCHOOLS
PROPERTY
BUREAU OF CONVEYANCES
BUILDING PERMITS
COMMISSIONS
CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION
