Skip to main content

Clear your Hawaii record DIY

You can clear your Hawaii record in certain circumstances. Hawaii law lets you petition to expunge arrest records and select first-time drug, property, or DUI sentencing records under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 706-622.5, § 706-622.8, and § 706-622.9. The process uses a petition filed with the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. Hawaii enacted SB2706 in 2024, which may expand eligibility starting in 2027.

Expeal Ranking

Hawaii's Expeal ranking is 6 out of 15, or a D+. This is the average of five metric scores across four case types.

Metric Misdemeanor — Arrest Misdemeanor — Conviction Felony — Arrest Felony — Conviction
Clean Slate 2 0 2 0
Expeal 2 0 2 0
Tasks 3 0 3 0
Wait 2 0 2 0
Cost 2 0 2 0
Total 11 0 11 0

The metrics are defined as follows:

  • Clean Slate: 3 if implemented; 2 if proposed or in the process of being implemented; 1 if being discussed; 0 if nothing.
  • Expeal: 3 if records are erased or destroyed; 2 if records are hidden but still exist; 1 if records are given a notation or some other form of reduction; 0 if nothing or if the process requires a pardon or similar prerequisite.
  • Tasks: 3 if application alone or automatic; 2 if straightforward court or administrative engagement is required; 1 if administrative engagement is required before straightforward court; 0 if convincing the court is required.
  • Wait: 3 if immediate to 1 year; 2 if 1 to 3 years; 1 if 3 to 5 years; 0 if more than 5 years or an intermediate step is required before the clock starts.
  • Cost: 3 if under $50; 2 if $50.01 to $250; 1 if $250.01 to $500; 0 if more than $500.

Governing statutes

Fees

Fee Amount Source
Filing fee $50.00 Reference
Certified copy fee $2.00 to certify; $1.00 first page; $0.50 each subsequent page Reference
Record request fee $55.00 Reference

Step-by-step process

Below are the five phases that take you through the Expeal process in Hawaii.

If you have to mail anything, remember to keep a copy of whatever you send and to use a method with a tracking number like the USPS Flat Rate Envelope.

Phase 1: Verifying you Qualify

  1. Step 1: Request your Record. Complete and submit your application to request an official copy of your criminal history record from the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.

    Cost: $35.00 to $55.00 (depending on whether you request it in-office or by mail)

  2. Step 2: Review your Record. Confirm there is no disqualifying information in your history. If there is something incorrect, follow the process to challenge the issue. If everything is accurate, make a copy for your file and keep the original somewhere safe.

Phase 2: Collecting your Documents

  1. Step 3: Request Certified Documents. Collect certified copies of relevant documents. These include a copy of the disposition of the case from the clerk of court that handled the original case and the arrest record from the arresting agency. If you had probation or parole, had to take classes, had to pay fees, or had any other obligations, you also need certified proof that you completed those requirements.

    Cost: $2.00 to certify; $1.00 first page; $0.50 each subsequent page

  2. Step 4: Verify the Final Documents. Review each document for accuracy. Confirm each one is certified and clearly shows you completed your obligations. Make copies of every original.

Phase 3: Completing the Petition

  1. Step 5: Prepare your Petition. Complete the petition based on the type of charge and outcome you are seeking. Note the timing restrictions: certain arrest records and non-guilty findings — both misdemeanor and felony — require one year to pass before you can file.

  2. Step 6: Finalize your Petition. Take the completed petition from Step 5, the documents collected in Step 3, and the background check from Step 1, and put them together in a complete package. Double-check every file in the package is the original and ensure you have a copy of the complete package for your personal file.

Phase 4: Final Steps

  1. Step 7: File your Expeal Request. Once you have confirmed you have everything, file the petition with the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.

    Cost: $35.00 to $50.00 (depending on whether it is your first expungement or a subsequent one)

  2. Step 8: Work with the Center. After the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center confirms it has received your filing, watch for the next instructions — typically a request for additional information or documentation. Respond promptly to anything the Center asks for.

Phase 5: Confirming Your Record is Cleared

  1. Step 9: Receive the Court's Order. Once the court rules on the petition, it issues an order either granting or denying expungement. Review the order's terms carefully — they spell out which records are covered. Keep a certified copy of the order for your own files.

  2. Step 10: Verify the Record Update. Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 706-622.5, the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center updates or removes the criminal history records covered by the order. Confirm with the arresting agency and the clerk of court that handled the original case that their records reflect the expungement as well. If a background-check provider later produces an outdated report, your certified copy of the court's order is your authoritative reference.

Official government links

The following pages are important to be familiar with as you work through the expungement process:

Forms

The following links lead to official forms required for the expungement process:

Common questions

Is this legal advice?

No. Expeal provides plain-language educational content and tools with direct citations to your state's statutes — not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.

Why is this free?

The state-by-state guides — statutes, fees, steps, sources — are free for everyone. Expeal's revenue model is the optional DIY+ guided product available in select states, which funds the public-benefit educational content.