Honolulu EMS
Honolulu, Hawaii
Encryption Details
Verified Talkgroup Data
View 9 talkgroups
| DEC | Alpha Tag | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2400 | EMS DISP | EMS Dispatch | Encrypted |
| 2402 | EMS E2 TAC 1 | E2 Tac 1 | Encrypted |
| 2033 | INTEROP 3 | Interop 3 Typically FHFD/EMS Command Post | Encrypted |
| 2034 | INTEROP 4 | Interop 4 Typically HFD or HPD to EMS | Encrypted |
| 2401 | EMS E2 TAC 1 | E1 Tac 1 | Encrypted |
| 2403 | EMS E3 TAC 1 | E3 Tac 1 | Encrypted |
| 2404 | EMS E1 TAC 2 | E1 Tac 2 | Encrypted |
| 2405 | EMS E2 TAC 2 | E2 Tac 2 | Encrypted |
| 2406 | EMS E3 TAC 2 | E3 Tac 2 | Encrypted |
Verification Status
We do have per-talkgroup data for Honolulu EMS from the RadioReference API, and used it to set the encryption scope shown above — but no additional human-reviewed source (a live feed check or a dated news account) has been recorded for this record, so treat it as a data-quality correction rather than an independently confirmed verification. Check the live RadioReference database directly for current status.
If you monitor Honolulu EMS directly or have more current information, the fastest way to fix this is to update the RadioReference Wiki entry — our data pulls from there and from the RadioReference API on a regular refresh cycle.
Honolulu County Context
Honolulu EMS isn't an outlier here: 5 of the 8 public-safety agencies we track in Honolulu County are fully encrypted (63%), so most departments nearby have made the same move.
See every agency we track in Honolulu County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Honolulu EMS radio encrypted?
Honolulu EMS is listed in our records with P25 AES-256 encryption — a listing we haven't yet verified against live talkgroup data. This agency is listed as encrypting some communications while leaving others open. The per-channel breakdown is unverified — check RadioReference for current status.
Can I listen to Honolulu EMS on a police scanner?
Possibly. Our database lists Honolulu EMS as encrypting some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, which would leave some channels accessible. The listing is unverified — check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why do agencies like Honolulu EMS encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Honolulu County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor emergency medical services activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can Honolulu County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Encryption is a policy choice made by department leadership or elected officials, not a technical requirement, so it can be reversed the same way. Public pressure, city council advocacy, and organized local coalitions have reversed encryption decisions elsewhere.
What can I do about Honolulu EMS encryption?
Ask for the paperwork first — the policy that authorised encryption for Honolulu EMS, and the recordings themselves — because a specific request is harder to wave away than a general complaint. Then take what you learn to a council meeting, and bring others from Honolulu County with you.