Open records requests in Hawaii

How the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) works

Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (HRS Chapter 92F) governs public access to government records in the state. The law applies to all state and county agencies and provides any person the right to inspect and copy government records. Hawaii's Office of Information Practices (OIP) is a dedicated oversight body that issues formal opinions, mediates disputes, and promulgates rules interpreting the Act, one of the more active administrative bodies of its kind in the country.

Agencies must respond within ten business days, with a potential extension to twenty business days for complex or voluminous requests. Fees are limited to the actual cost of duplication; search and review time may not be charged. The OIP provides free informal guidance to both requesters and agencies, and its opinions carry substantial persuasive authority. Common exemptions include government personnel records, attorney-client communications, and trade secrets. Formal disputes may be appealed to circuit court.