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HAWAII ACTIVIST PLAYBOOK

Hawaii Action Guide

State-Specific Tactics to Restore Police Radio Transparency

Honolulu encrypted police and fire radios, cutting off the public from emergency information. A media-access bill advanced to a second reading in the Honolulu City Council in July 2025; final passage is unconfirmed. This guide gives you the contacts, templates, and tactics to push for transparency across the Aloha State.

Hawaii's Encryption Landscape

Understanding the battlefield before you fight

Honolulu Police and Fire Departments have encrypted radio communications as part of a system overhaul — exact date and cost unconfirmed. The move to a Motorola P25 digital system blocked public and media access that had existed for decades. Since then, residents have reported being cut off from timely news about crime, fires, and other emergencies in their neighborhoods.

Hawaii offers hope. A media-access bill requiring HPD to provide media access to encrypted channels advanced to a second reading in the Honolulu City Council in July 2025; final passage is unconfirmed. While HPD leadership has raised concerns, advocacy continues. Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) also provides strong public records access rights.

Encrypted Honolulu Police/Fire (date unconfirmed)
Jul 2025 Media Access Bill Advanced to Second Reading
UIPA Strong Public Records Law

Key Hawaii Encryption Timeline

Unconfirmed Honolulu Police and Fire encrypt all radio communications (exact date unconfirmed)
2022-2024 Media organizations push for renewed access to police dispatch
Jul 2025 City Council legislation for media access advances to second reading; final passage unconfirmed
Present Advocates continue pushing for final passage and HPD compliance

Key Hawaii Contacts

The people who can make change happen

State Government

Hawaii State Legislature

Legislative Branch

Why Contact: The Legislature can pass statewide transparency requirements. Senator Karl Rhoads chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee.

  • Find Your Legislator: capitol.hawaii.gov
  • Senate Judiciary Committee: Chair Senator Karl Rhoads
  • House Judiciary Committee: Chair Rep. David Tarnas
Ask: "Will you sponsor legislation extending Honolulu's media access requirement to all Hawaii counties?"

Office of Information Practices

UIPA Oversight

Why Contact: OIP administers Hawaii's public records law (UIPA) and can provide guidance on access issues.

Local Government

Honolulu Police Department

Subject of Legislation

Why Contact: HPD leadership has raised concerns about the media access bill. Engagement may help address implementation issues.

  • Website: honolulupd.org
  • HPD Position: HPD has reportedly discussed a media portal for calls-for-service data — unconfirmed

Maui County Council

Neighbor Island

Why Contact: Maui County may follow Honolulu's lead. Proactive engagement can establish transparency expectations.

Hawaii County Council

Big Island

Why Contact: Hawaii County can adopt similar transparency measures for Big Island police.

Media & Press Organizations

Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Major Newspaper - Key Ally

Why Contact: The Star-Advertiser has been a leading voice for media access and has covered residents' loss of timely emergency news since encryption.

KITV4

ABC Affiliate - Coalition Member

Why Contact: KITV is part of the media coalition pushing for scanner access. They've advocated for the City Council legislation.

KHON2

Fox Affiliate - Coalition Member

Why Contact: KHON2 has been part of the media coalition and follows a code of ethics for verified reporting.

Hawaii News Now

CBS/NBC Affiliate

Why Contact: Hawaii News Now operates KGMB and KHNL, providing comprehensive statewide coverage.

Hawaii Public Radio

Public Broadcasting

Why Contact: HPR has covered the encryption issue and provides in-depth reporting on state government.

Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) Requests

Hawaii's public records law

The Uniform Information Practices Act (Chapter 92F, Hawaii Revised Statutes) gives everyone the right to access government records concerning government operations. The Office of Information Practices (OIP) administers the law and provides guidance on access issues.

Hawaii-Specific UIPA Templates

Template 1: Scanner Harm Documentation

Purpose: Prove there's no evidence scanner access has harmed officers

Pursuant to the Uniform Information Practices Act (Chapter 92F, HRS), I request copies of the following records:

  1. All documented incidents, reports, or investigations where public access to police radio scanner communications resulted in:
    • Injury or harm to any officer or personnel
    • Compromise of any tactical operation
    • Flight or escape of any suspect
    • Interference with any emergency response
    for the period January 1, 2010 through present.

If no responsive records exist, please provide written confirmation of that fact.

Please provide records in electronic format. Contact me at [EMAIL/PHONE] regarding this request.

Template 2: Encryption Decision Documents

Purpose: Discover the decision-making process for the $15 million system overhaul

Pursuant to the Uniform Information Practices Act (Chapter 92F, HRS), I request copies of the following records:

  1. All internal communications (emails, memos, meeting notes) regarding the decision to encrypt police and fire radio communications as part of the P25 system upgrade.
  2. All City Council or Police Commission agendas and minutes where radio encryption was discussed.
  3. Any legal opinions or policy analyses regarding encryption.
  4. The $15 million Motorola contract and all related procurement documents.
  5. Any cost-benefit analyses comparing encryption to alternatives.

I request records from January 1, 2019 through present.

Template 3: Media Access Legislation Status

Purpose: Track progress and any implementation planning for the City Council media access legislation

Pursuant to the Uniform Information Practices Act (Chapter 92F, HRS), I request copies of the following records:

  1. Any policies, procedures, or guidelines drafted regarding implementation of the pending City Council media access legislation.
  2. Any applications received from media organizations requesting access under the pending legislation.
  3. Any correspondence between HPD and media organizations regarding the legislation or possible implementation.
  4. Any documentation regarding a media portal for calls-for-service data, including specifications and timeline, if such planning exists.
  5. Any internal HPD assessments of how it would comply with the media access requirements if the legislation passes.

Hawaii UIPA Tips

  • Written request required: Requests must be in writing with sufficient contact information
  • Describe records clearly: Provide a reasonable description of the requested records
  • Specify delivery: State how you'd like to receive records (pickup, mail, email)
  • Use UIPA.org: You can submit requests to most state and county agencies through UIPA.org
  • OIP assistance: The Office of Information Practices can help with appeals and guidance
  • Criminal penalties: Willful violations of UIPA can result in criminal penalties
  • "No records" is evidence: A response of "no responsive records" proves your point about scanner harm

Local Actions: Ensuring Implementation

The legislation passed. Now ensure it's enforced.

Push for Final Passage and Implementation

The Honolulu City Council advanced media access legislation to a second reading in July 2025; final passage is unconfirmed. Your job now is to push for a final vote and, once passed, ensure HPD actually implements it.

Key Questions for City Council

  • "When will the media access bill come up for a final vote?"
  • "What oversight mechanisms will ensure compliance if it passes?"
  • "How will the City Council respond if HPD fails to comply?"
  • "What penalties would exist for non-compliance?"
  • "How will media organizations apply for access?"

Advocacy Tips

  • File UIPA requests - Request drafting and planning documents related to the bill
  • Attend Council meetings - Monitor progress toward a final vote and provide public comment
  • Coordinate with media - Stay connected with the Star-Advertiser and TV stations
  • Document delays - Keep records of any stalling in the legislative process
  • Thank supporters - Acknowledge Council members who have supported the legislation

Expand to Neighbor Islands

Honolulu's success creates a model for Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai counties. Take the fight statewide.

Strategy for Neighbor Islands

  • "Honolulu's City Council has advanced media access legislation. Will this county consider similar measures?"
  • "What is the current encryption status of county police radios?"
  • "Will the county council consider proactive transparency measures?"
  • "How do neighbor island media organizations feel about encryption?"

Neighbor Island Tips

  • Cite Honolulu precedent - Use the City Council's pending legislation as a model
  • Engage local media - The Maui News and other neighbor island outlets have a stake
  • Island-specific concerns - Emphasize how remote communities depend on emergency info
  • State legislation - Push for statewide law through the Legislature

Take Action Now

Concrete steps you can take today

1

Monitor HPD Implementation

File UIPA requests for implementation plans and timelines. Attend City Council meetings to track progress. Document any delays or non-compliance.

2

Thank Council Supporters

Contact City Council members who supported the media access legislation. Thank them and ask them to continue oversight of implementation.

3

Push for State Legislation

Contact your state Senator and Representative. Ask them to sponsor statewide legislation extending Honolulu's requirements to all Hawaii counties.

4

Engage Neighbor Islands

If you're on Maui, Hawaii, or Kauai, take Honolulu's success to your county council. Request proactive transparency measures.

5

Stay Connected with Media

The Star-Advertiser, KITV, KHON2, and Hawaii News Now are key allies. Support their continued coverage and advocacy.

6

Share Hawaii's Progress

Hawaii's legislative progress can inspire other states even before final passage. Share the story with advocates elsewhere and document what's working.

Take Action for Transparency

Your voice matters. Here are concrete ways to advocate for open police communications in your community.

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Contact Your Representatives

Use our templates to email your local officials about police radio encryption policies.

Get Started
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Read Case Studies

See how encryption has affected real communities - from Highland Park to Chicago.

View Cases
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Spread Awareness

Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.

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See the Evidence

Review the facts, myths, and research on police radio encryption.

View Evidence
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Public Testimony

Learn how to speak effectively at city council and public safety meetings.

Prepare to Speak
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Download Resources

Get FOIA templates, talking points, and materials for advocacy.

Access Toolkit