Crime, violence and prisons are perpetually on the table at the Hawaiʻi Legislature.

Crime rates have continued to drop statewide in Hawaiʻi although reports of violent gun crime are increasing on Oʻahu. There is also a greater understanding of the intersections of addiction, homelessness, intergenerational poverty, various forms of trauma and crime. But the criminal justice system still struggles with reform, especially in treating nonviolent offenders. Meantime, the state’s jails and prisons are overcrowded, understaffed and falling apart, a situation lawmakers tried to rectify in 2025 by including millions of dollars in the state budget for a new Oʻahu jail.

Judiciary committee leaders are especially interested in passing legislation in 2026 that bans law enforcement from wearing masks on the job and in making sure immigration enforcement is conducted appropriately. An assault weapons ban died on a narrow vote in 2025 and in 2026 gun bills could include restriction on sniper rifles and high-capacity magazines.

Quick Facts

Incarceration: More than 900 Hawaiʻi inmates are housed in a private prison in Arizona there is no room for them in Hawaiʻi facilities.
Race: Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders are overrepresented in the incarcerated population.
Guns: Hawaiʻi has some of the strongest gun laws in the nation while gun deaths are among the lowest.
Domestic violence: In Hawaiʻi, 13% of people have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

Justice Bills

In Focus

Here are all of the bills considered in the current session involving justice, public safety and corrections. Highlighted bills are identified by Civil Beat as among the most significant this year. “In progress” status includes bills that may have been deferred but are technically still alive until the end of the two-year Legislature.

HB 277 Passed

RELATING TO VEHICULAR PURSUIT

David Tarnas

Establishes requirements related to vehicular pursuit by law enforcement agencies. Beginning 1/1/2027, requires law enforcement agencies to provide reports to the Department of the Attorney General on all vehicular pursuits. (CD1)

HB 126 Passed

RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE

David Tarnas

Increases transparency and accountability surrounding property forfeiture. Clarifies which property is subject to forfeiture. Amends the authorized disposition of forfeited property and the proceeds thereof. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaiʻi Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Repeals language that requires the Hawaiʻi Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act to be construed liberally. (CD1)

SB 281 Passed

RELATING TO TORTURE

Defines and prohibits the offense of torture. Makes torture a class A felony. (CD1)

SB 401 In Progress

RELATING TO FIREARMS

Karl Rhoads

Establishes prohibitions on assault rifles, assault shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms. Expands the ban on high-capacity detachable magazines. Allows possession of an assault rifle, assault shotgun, or detachable magazine with a capacity greater than ten rounds when certain conditions are met. Effective 1/1/2026. (CD2)

HB 1308

RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Committee: House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Technology

In Progress

RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.Committee: House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Technology

HB 982

RELATING TO WILDFIRES.

Committee: House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

In Progress

RELATING TO WILDFIRES.Committee: House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

HB 1246

RELATING TO CANNABIS.