Licensing
How Hawaii Licenses Private Investigators
Hawaii licenses private detectives under Chapter 463 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The Board of Private Detectives and Guards oversees the program, with administrative support from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. Under HRS 463-5, a person needs a license before working or advertising as a private detective, and a firm needs its own agency license before offering detective services.
Hawaii uses a layered system. Each detective agency must employ at least one principal detective, a licensed individual who is fully responsible for the agency and its staff. Employees who do investigative work for an agency must be registered with the board. A client checking a Hawaii investigator should confirm both the agency license and the individual's status.
Courts
How Hawaii Courts Are Organized
Hawaii has a single statewide court system with no county courts. The state is divided into four judicial circuits: the First Circuit covers Oahu, the Second covers Maui, Molokai and Lanai, the Third covers Hawaii Island and the Fifth covers Kauai and Niihau. Circuit courts hear felonies, jury trials, larger civil cases and probate. Family courts, which are divisions of the circuit courts, handle divorce, custody, support and juvenile matters. District courts take smaller civil claims, traffic cases and misdemeanors.
Communities
Hawaii Communities With a Private Investigator Page
Every Hawaii community over 3,000 residents, by population (U.S. Census Bureau, April 1, 2020 estimates base and July 1, 2024 estimates (Vintage 2024)).
| Community | County | Population (2024 est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | Honolulu County | 998,747 |
| Hawaii County | Hawaii County | 209,790 |
| Maui County | Maui County | 163,688 |
| Kauai County | Kauai County | 73,840 |
Read the full Hawaii investigator guide
Neighboring states:
How this service works
Investigator Consulting in Hawaii
Delator Group is a private investigation firm licensed in Tennessee and headquartered in Nashville. In Hawaii, Delator Group is not licensed as a private investigator or private investigative agency and does not perform, supervise or direct investigations. We review requests and refer them to independent investigators who hold the license Hawaii requires. Those investigators contract with clients directly, set their own fees and are responsible for the work. Delator Group may receive compensation from participating investigators for referrals.
FAQ
Questions About Finding an Investigator in Hawaii
Which Hawaii communities have their own page?
Every incorporated Hawaii city, town or village with more than 3,000 residents, plus every township or town government of that size, has its own page here, 4 in all. Smaller places are covered by the nearest page and the statewide guide.
Is Delator Group licensed in Hawaii?
No. In Hawaii, Delator Group provides investigator consulting and referral only. Investigations are performed by independently licensed Hawaii investigators who contract with you directly.
Who licenses private investigators in Hawaii?
The Hawaii Board of Private Detectives and Guards (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division), under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 463. Individuals who act as or advertise as private detectives need a private detective license, and firms need a detective agency license with at least one licensed principal detective.
How do I check an investigator's Hawaii license?
Search the detective and the agency in the DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing public license search and confirm both licenses are current.
Is Hawaii a one-party or two-party consent state?
For conversations, Hawaii is generally one-party consent under HRS 803-42(b)(3)(A), so a participant can usually record. Placing a recording device in a private place is different. HRS 711-1111(1)(d) requires the consent of the people entitled to privacy in that place. An attorney can confirm the rule for a specific situation.