How to Get a Crash Report in Hawaii

In Hawaii, crash reports are maintained by the local police department on the island where the accident occurred. There is no centralized statewide system for obtaining crash reports, so you will need to contact the specific county police department that investigated your crash.

For crashes on Oahu, contact the Honolulu Police Department's Records and Identification Division^[1]. You can request a report in person at their office, by mail with a signed and notarized request along with the required fee, or through their online system. The HPD Records Division is located at 801 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI 96813^[1].

For crashes on the Big Island, contact the Hawaii Police Department^[3]. For Maui County (including Maui, Molokai, and Lanai), contact the Maui Police Department^[2]. For Kauai, contact the Kauai Police Department^[4]. Each department has its own procedures and office locations for report requests. In general, you can visit any of these departments in person or submit a written request by mail.

To request a crash report in Hawaii, you will need to provide identifying information about the accident. This includes the date and time of the crash, the location where it occurred, and the names of the drivers involved.

If the responding officer gave you a report number or case number, this will be the easiest way to locate your specific report. You should also bring a valid photo ID to verify your identity, especially when picking up the report in person.

For mail requests, most Hawaii police departments require a signed, written request that includes your contact information, details about the crash, and the applicable fee. The Honolulu Police Department^[1] may require the request to be notarized. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive your report by return mail.

Fees vary by island. On Oahu^[1], Kauai^[4], and the Big Island^[3], expect to pay $0.50 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page. Maui County does not charge for report copies under 25 pages^[2].

A Hawaii crash report documents the details of the accident as observed and recorded by the responding officer. The report includes the date, time, and location of the crash, descriptions of the vehicles involved, and the names and contact information of all drivers, passengers, and witnesses.

The report contains the officer's narrative description of how the crash occurred, including factors such as road and weather conditions, visibility, and any contributing actions by the drivers. It also includes a diagram showing the positions and movements of the vehicles before and during the collision.

Because Hawaii is a no-fault state, the crash report plays a somewhat different role than in at-fault states. Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers your medical expenses and lost wages up to policy limits regardless of who was at fault. However, the crash report becomes critical if your injuries exceed the no-fault threshold and you need to file a claim against the at-fault driver. The report helps establish who was responsible for the crash.

Hawaii crash reports typically become available 7-10 business days after the accident^[1]. This processing time allows the investigating officer to complete the report and for it to be reviewed and entered into the department's records system.

The availability timeline can vary by island and by the complexity of the crash. Crashes involving fatalities or serious injuries^[5] may take significantly longer as they require more thorough investigation. Multi-vehicle crashes and those involving criminal charges may also be delayed.

If you request your report in person, you can typically receive it the same day once it has been processed and is available in the system. Mail requests will take additional time for delivery. Plan for at least 2-3 weeks total turnaround time when requesting by mail, accounting for both processing and postal delivery.

If you need documentation sooner for insurance purposes, you may be able to obtain a preliminary incident report or a confirmation that a report was filed by contacting the police department directly.

Identify the correct police department. Since Hawaii has no centralized crash report system, you must request your report from the police department on the island where the crash occurred. Contacting the wrong department will result in delays.

Get the report number at the scene. When the officer responds to your crash, ask for the report number or case number. Write it down and keep it safe. This number is essential for locating your report quickly and avoiding confusion if multiple crashes occurred in the same area.

Understand Hawaii's no-fault system. Hawaii requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. After a crash, you first file a claim with your own insurance company regardless of fault. The crash report is still important for documenting what happened, but fault determination works differently than in at-fault states.

Be aware of the reporting threshold. Hawaii requires reporting crashes that involve injury, death, or property damage of $3,000 or more^[6]. If your crash fell below this threshold and no officer responded to the scene, a formal crash report may not exist. In that case, you should document the incident yourself and report it to your insurance company.

Even in Hawaii's no-fault insurance system, your crash report serves as a critical document for processing your PIP claim. Insurance companies use the report to verify the details of the accident, including the date, location, and circumstances. A timely report supports a smoother claims process.

If your injuries are serious enough to exceed Hawaii's no-fault threshold, you may need to file a claim against the at-fault driver. In this situation, the crash report becomes essential for establishing fault and liability. The officer's narrative, diagram, and any citations issued provide key evidence.

The crash report also protects you by creating an official record of the accident. Without a police report, it becomes a matter of your word against the other driver's account. The report documents witness statements, vehicle damage, and conditions at the scene, which can be critical if disputes arise later about what happened.

Hawaii has a 2-year statute of limitations for both personal injury and property damage claims^[7]. Having your crash report in hand early gives you and your attorney time to evaluate your options and build a strong case if needed.