Kauai County Sex Offenders Database

Kauai County residents and visitors can search for registered sex offenders on the Garden Isle using the state's free public registry managed by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. The Kauai Police Department and the Hawaii State Sheriffs Division handle all local registration for covered offenders on the island. This page covers how to search for sex offenders in Kauai County, where to register, how to access Fifth Circuit Court and criminal records, and what community resources are available.

Sex Offender Registration in Kauai County

Covered offenders living on Kauai have two options for sex offender registration. The primary location is the Kauai Police Department in Lihue. The Hawaii State Sheriffs Division also maintains an office in Lihue for registration purposes. Both operate under state requirements set out in Chapter 846E of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Any covered offender must register within three working days of arriving in Kauai County, changing a residential address, or updating any other registered information.

At both locations, registration collects the same detailed information required statewide. This includes the offender's current residential address, all phone numbers, all email addresses and internet identifiers, the names and addresses of current employers and volunteer locations, any schools attended or affiliated with, and full vehicle data including year, make, model, color, and plate number. Fingerprints, palm prints, a DNA sample, a current photo, and a copy of the conviction judgment are also required under Section 846E-2. For offenders without a fixed work location, a description of usual travel routes is also needed.

Quarterly verification forms are mailed during the first week of January, April, July, and October. The offender must sign and return the form within ten days of receipt. Annual in-person verification is required within 30 days of the offender's birthday. Failing to meet either requirement is a Class C felony under Section 846E-9, carrying up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

How to Search Sex Offenders in Kauai County

The state registry at sexoffenders.ehawaii.gov is the primary tool for looking up sex offenders anywhere on Kauai. You can search by name, zip code, street name, or city. The registry uses phonetic name matching, so entering a name that sounds right will return results even with different spellings. Common Kauai zip codes include 96766 for Lihue, 96746 for Kapaa, 96756 for Koloa, 96741 for Hanapepe, 96714 for Hanalei, and 96796 for Waimea. Each result shows the offender's photo, current address, physical description, and the offense that requires registration.

The radius search function is particularly useful for Kauai because the island's communities are spread around the coastline. Enter any address on the island and choose a distance in miles to see all registered offenders in that area. This is a better approach than searching individual zip codes when you want to check a specific neighborhood or workplace. Results reflect the nightly data refresh, so the information is current as of the previous evening.

Email notification alerts are available on the state registry at no cost. Sign up to receive updates when offender registration data changes in a chosen zip code or near a specific address. You can also search Kauai alongside other states using the National Sex Offender Public Website, which links all 50 state registries in a single search interface. In-person registry searches are available at the Kauai Police Department on a public access terminal, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Kauai County Criminal Records and Court Access

The Fifth Circuit Court handles all criminal cases for Kauai County. The courthouse is at 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue, HI 96766, phone (808) 482-2347. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. All felony sex offense cases, misdemeanor sex offenses, and violations of Chapter 846E registration requirements go through this court. Copy fees at the courthouse are $1.00 per page and $2.00 for certified copies.

Court records from the Fifth Circuit are searchable through the Hawaii State Judiciary eCourt Kokua public portal. You can search by name, case ID, or citation number without creating an account. The system shows charge information, hearing dates, plea entries, and case disposition including sentencing. Sex offense judgments in eCourt Kokua often include the registration requirement imposed by the court as part of the sentence. The portal is available Monday through Saturday from 4:00 AM to midnight and Sundays from noon to midnight Hawaii Standard Time.

For conviction record searches, the HCJDC eCrim system charges $5.00 per name and requires user registration. Call (808) 587-3279 for help with eCrim access. eCrim covers statewide convictions, so a search for a Kauai resident will also return convictions from other islands. Criminal records from eCrim contain identifying information, arrest data, court case details, dispositions, warrants, protective orders, and sex offender registration status. This is a more detailed record than what appears on the public sex offender registry.

Public Records Access in Kauai County

Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 92F-11, all government agencies in Kauai County must make public records available for inspection during regular business hours. This includes Kauai Police Department records, Fifth Circuit Court documents, and other county files. Viewing records is free. Copies cost $1.00 per page, and certified copies run $2.00 per page. The Kauai Police Department handles requests for incident reports and law enforcement records. Contact KPD at (808) 241-1660 for information about what is available and how to request it.

For background checks and criminal history record requests, go through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center rather than the local police department. KPD does not issue clearance letters or full criminal history prints. HCJDC handles all official criminal history requests statewide. The HCJDC office is at 465 S. King Street, Room 102, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone (808) 587-3100, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed noon to 1:00 PM and on state holidays.

The Hawaii Office of Information Practices handles disputes about public records access. If a Kauai County agency denies a request you believe should be fulfilled, OIP provides a formal appeals process and guidance on what records must be disclosed under the Uniform Information Practices Act. Their office also advises agencies on proper records handling.

The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center is the central hub for all sex offender registration data in Kauai County and across the state, providing background check services and registry coordination.

Community Safety Resources for Kauai

The Sex Abuse Treatment Center provides statewide education and support resources about the sex offender registry, including guidance on how to use the public database, what to do if registry information appears incorrect, and how to report concerns. SATC's resources are available to Kauai residents even though their physical office is in Honolulu. Their website covers the full registry system and the registration requirements that apply on every island.

For questions about the registry, call the HCJDC sex offender registration unit at (808) 587-3350. The main HCJDC number is (808) 587-3100. Both lines are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed noon to 1:00 PM. The HCJDC sex offender information page has the most current details on registration locations, verification schedules, and how the public registry works.

The Tyler Hawaii sex offender search platform is the technology behind the state registry. Their support team can answer questions about how the system works, including how to sign up for email alerts, how the radius search functions, and what data is displayed on offender profile pages. Bulk data subscriptions are available for organizations that need regular registry exports. Call (808) 695-4622 for information.

Nearby Counties

Kauai County is served by the same statewide registry as all other Hawaii counties. Select a county below to find local registration details and search resources. All five counties share the online database at sexoffenders.ehawaii.gov.