Public Records
HRS 92F-11 — every government record is open unless a law closes it, and a personal record within ten working days
All government records are open to public inspection unless a law restricts or closes them, and each agency makes them available for inspection and copying during regular business hours on request by any person. An agency need not compile a summary that is not readily retrievable in the form asked for.
Who handles this in Hawaii: Office of Information Practices; and legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Hawaii directory.
- Every agency makes available its rules and policies, final opinions and orders, purchasing and bid results, minutes of public meetings, land and tax records, environmental test results, contracts with consultants, building permits, license rosters, and public employees' names, titles and salary ranges.
- Also disclosed with the written consent of everyone the record is about, on a showing of compelling circumstances affecting someone's health or safety, or under a court order.
An individual may review and copy their own personal record held by an agency within ten working days of the request, extended by up to twenty working days where the agency explains in writing the unusual circumstances, unless the record is exempt.
Sources for this section (4)
- HRS 92F-11 — Affirmative agency disclosure responsibilities
- HRS 92F-12 — Disclosure required
- HRS 92F-3 — General definitions
- HRS 92F-23 — Access to personal record; initial procedure
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Hawaii attorney.