Honolulu County Traffic Citation Records

Honolulu County traffic ticket records are maintained by the First Circuit district courts and the Honolulu Police Department, and this guide covers how to search citation records, request traffic abstracts, pay fines online, and get copies of police reports from any of the five district courts serving Oahu.

Honolulu County District Courts Traffic Cases

Honolulu County is served by five district courts under the First Circuit. Each court handles traffic cases for a specific area of Oahu. Knowing which court has your case makes the search process much faster. All five locations share the same general hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and all operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Honolulu District Court at Kauikeaouli Hale handles citations issued in the urban core. It sits at 1111 Alakea Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, and can be reached at (808) 538-5500. The Legal Documents Branch, which processes written records requests, is also at that address. You can reach the branch at (808) 538-5149 or by email at LDB2.1DC@courts.hawaii.gov.

For the central and west side of Oahu, three other courts come into play. The Ewa-Pearl City District Court at 870 Fourth Street, Pearl City, HI 96782, phone (808) 534-6900, serves the Pearl Harbor area. Wahiawa District Court at 1034 Kilani Avenue, Wahiawa, HI 96786, phone (808) 534-6200, covers the central plateau. Waianae District Court operates out of the Kapolei Judiciary Complex at 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, HI 96707, phone (808) 954-8575. On the windward side, Kaneohe District Court sits at Abner Paki Hale, 45-939 Pookela Street, Kaneohe, HI 96744, phone (808) 534-6300.

The Hawaii Judiciary district court contact page lists current hours and any closures for all five locations.

The Hawaii Judiciary site shows contact details, addresses, and hours for all First Circuit district courts handling Honolulu County traffic cases.

HPD Citation Types and the 21-Day Rule

The Honolulu Police Department uses a system called the MultiCharge Traffic Citation, or MCTC. Under this system, officers can issue one of three types of citations depending on the nature of the stop. Understanding which type you received tells you what your next step needs to be.

A Citation for Traffic Crime Arrest, or CTCA, covers criminal offenses. These include DUI, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license. A CTCA requires a mandatory court appearance. You cannot simply pay and move on. A Notice of Traffic Infraction, or NTI, covers civil violations like speeding or running a red light. With an NTI, you have the choice to pay the fine or request a hearing to contest it. The third type, a Notice of Parking Infraction, or NPI, covers parking violations only. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 291D, you have 21 days from the date on your NTI to respond. Missing that window can result in a default judgment.

Payment or contestation for civil infractions can be handled online. The eTraffic Hawaii portal lets you pay a citation or request an administrative hearing without visiting a courthouse. You will need your citation number and the date of the infraction to log in. Not all citations are eligible for online payment, so check the portal first.

Note: Criminal traffic cases under HRS Chapter 291C cannot be resolved through eTraffic and always require a court appearance.

Search Honolulu Traffic Records Online

The Hawaii Judiciary runs an online case search tool called eCourt Kokua. This is the main public database for Honolulu County traffic case records. You can look up cases by name, citation number, or case number. Results show case status, hearing dates, and dispositions. The system covers all First Circuit district court cases, including traffic infractions and criminal traffic matters.

eCourt Kokua is free to use and available around the clock. It does not require an account. The search pulls from the courts' live dockets, so case status is generally current. Keep in mind that some older or sealed records may not appear. The Hawaii Judiciary traffic cases page explains what types of cases are accessible and how results are displayed.

The Oahu Court Records Request page outlines the process for getting certified copies of traffic case documents from the First Circuit courts.

Traffic Abstracts and Driving Record Costs

A traffic abstract is the official court record of your driving history as it appears in the judiciary's files. It lists citations, case outcomes, and any license actions tied to court proceedings. The Hawaii courts charge $20 per abstract. You can request one through the Hawaii Judiciary traffic abstracts page, which has instructions for both in-person and written requests.

For a full driver history record, the Hawaii Department of Transportation handles that separately. The Hawaii DOT Motor Vehicle Safety Office charges $9 for a certified copy of your driver history. This record reflects what the state's driver licensing files show, which may differ from the court abstract. Both documents serve different purposes. Insurance companies and courts may ask for one or both.

Certified copies of court documents cost $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each page after that. Plain copies run $0.50 for the first page and $0.25 per additional page. Written requests go to the Legal Documents Branch at Kauikeaouli Hale. Use the Oahu court records request page to find the correct form and mailing address.

Honolulu Police Department Traffic Report Requests

If you need a copy of the police report tied to a traffic stop or accident in Honolulu County, that comes from the Honolulu Police Department Records Division, not the courts. The Records Division is at 801 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Phone is (808) 723-3258 and hours are Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:00 PM.

You can submit a request by email to recordsrequest@honolulupd.org for public records. Government agencies use a separate address: HPD.Government.Requests@honolulupd.org. The HPD police reports page has the full request form and instructions. Your request needs to include your name, phone number, and email. You also need to provide the police report number if you have it, or the date, time, and location of the incident. Include the type of report you are requesting and the names of people involved. A color copy of a government-issued ID showing your involvement in the incident is required. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the documents mailed back.

Police report copy fees are $0.50 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page. A verification letter costs $1.00 for the first page and $0.25 per additional page.

The HPD contact page lists all district offices across Oahu, including phone numbers for each police district that may have issued your traffic citation.

The HPD police reports page shows the current request process, fee schedule, and what information you must include when asking for a traffic incident report.

HPD operates eight police districts across Oahu. District 1 in Chinatown can be reached at (808) 723-3311. District 6 covers Waikiki at (808) 723-3345. Kapolei and Waianae fall under District 8, reachable at (808) 723-8400 and (808) 723-8600 respectively. Kaneohe is District 4 at (808) 723-8640. Find the full list on the HPD contact page.

Note: The police district that issued your citation may not be the same as the district court where your case was filed. Check both if you are not sure where to start.

Public Records Law and Stopper Reform in Honolulu

Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act, or UIPA, is the state's public records law. It gives people the right to inspect and copy government records, including traffic court records. The Office of Information Practices UIPA page explains what records are public and how to file a formal request. If a court or agency denies your request, you can file a complaint with OIP. Request forms are available at the OIP forms page.

Hawaii passed reforms tied to what is known as Act 59, sometimes called the "stopper" law. Under HRS 291D, unpaid traffic infractions could result in a license suspension or "stopper" placed on your record. The stopper prevents renewal of your driver's license. If you have an old infraction that led to a stopper, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii may be able to help you resolve it at low or no cost. They work specifically on stopper removal cases for people who qualify for legal aid. The Hawaii Judiciary self-help forms page also has motions and request documents that may be useful if you are handling this on your own.

The vehicle code in HRS Chapter 291C sets the rules for traffic crimes and moving violations in Hawaii. Both 291C and 291D statutes are relevant if you are trying to understand what a citation means or how a case should have been handled.

Cities in Honolulu County

The following communities are located within Honolulu County. Each city page covers local courthouse access, citation resources, and how to find traffic case records for that area.

Nearby Hawaii Counties

Hawaii has four counties. All other islands outside of Oahu fall under one of the following county jurisdictions.