Trying to Find Someone
How Do I Find Out Where Someone Is Being Held in Honolulu?
Start with the arresting agency and the person’s full legal name. A newly arrested adult may still be in transport or booking, may be held at an HPD facility, may have gone to court, or may later be transferred into state corrections custody.
Call 911 only for an emergency or immediate danger. For custody information, use the official numbers below and be prepared for information to take time to appear.
The Practical Answer
If the arrest happened recently on Oʻahu, begin with the Honolulu Police Department facility most likely connected to the arrest. HPD states that most arrestees are taken to its main Alapaʻi headquarters, but several other HPD locations also process and temporarily hold arrested adults.
Have the person’s full legal name, date of birth and approximate arrest time ready. If HPD no longer has the person, ask whether the individual has been released, taken to court or transferred to another agency or facility.
Ready to Speak With an Attorney?
If you already know that legal help may be appropriate, you can return to the main attorney connection page now.
I’m Ready to Contact an Attorney1. Gather the Details Staff Will Need
Do this before making several calls. Small differences in names, spelling or dates of birth can prevent staff from locating the correct person.
- The person’s full legal name, including middle name if known.
- Date of birth and approximate age.
- Approximate arrest time and exact or nearest known location.
- The arresting agency, officer, patrol district or station, if known.
- Any report number, citation number or booking information.
- The person’s nationality if consular assistance may be relevant.
2. Start With HPD’s Main Cellblock
The Honolulu Police Department’s Central Receiving Division operates the main HPD cellblock at 801 South Beretania Street. HPD says the majority of arrestees are transported there for booking and processing.
To ask whether someone is being held at the main Alapaʻi facility, call (808) 723-3000. HPD’s Central Receiving Division office number is (808) 723-3284.
3. The Person May Be at Another HPD Location
HPD publishes separate numbers for several facilities that may temporarily hold arrested adults. The location connected to the arrest may be the best place to call if the main cellblock does not have the person.
- Alapaʻi Headquarters: (808) 723-3000
- Kalihi Station: (808) 723-8208
- Pearl City Station: (808) 723-8800
- Wahiawā Station: (808) 723-8700
- Kapolei Station: (808) 723-8525
- Kāneʻohe Station: (808) 723-8640
- Kailua Substation: (808) 723-8838
- Kahuku Substation: (808) 723-8650
These numbers are for official facility inquiries. Do not call 911 for routine custody-location questions.
4. Understand Why the Answer May Change
HPD describes its cellblock as a short-term holding facility. Someone who is in booking when you first call may later be released, moved to another HPD location, taken to court on the next working day or transferred into state corrections custody.
Ask the person answering the phone:
- Is this person currently being held at your facility?
- Has the person been released or transferred?
- If transferred, which agency or facility should I contact next?
- Is there a booking, report or case number I should write down?
Need Help With the Next Step?
If you have confirmed the arrest or transfer and need help understanding what may happen next, you may be ready to review the attorney connection information.
I’m Ready to Contact an Attorney5. Check the Official HPD Arrest Log
HPD publishes adult arrest logs daily. These may help confirm the person’s name, age, incident date and reported offense. They do not necessarily show the person’s current location, release status or whether the case has already moved to court.
6. If the Person Has Gone to Court
Hawaiʻi’s eCourt Kōkua system provides public access to several categories of criminal case information and upcoming hearings. A newly arrested person may not appear immediately, and some matters are confidential or otherwise unavailable online.
Search using the person’s legal name. When a case appears, write down the case number, court, hearing date and courtroom details. Confirm important information directly with the court or an attorney rather than assuming an online entry is complete.
7. If the Person Has Entered State Corrections Custody
The Oʻahu Community Correctional Center is the state’s principal Oʻahu jail facility and houses pretrial detainees. Its published main phone number is (808) 832-1777.
Hawaiʻi’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation also provides SAVIN/VINE, which can provide custody-status information and notifications for people under DCR jurisdiction. SAVIN is not a substitute for direct confirmation when time-sensitive decisions are involved.
8. If the Arrested Person Is a Visitor From Overseas
Once you know where the person is being held, ask whether the person has requested consular notification. A foreign consulate may assist with communication, family contact and passport issues, but it does not replace a Hawaiʻi attorney.
Have the person’s nationality, full name, date of birth, passport details if available, arrest time and confirmed facility ready before contacting the consulate.
9. Keep a Simple Call Log
Write down every number called, the time, the name or unit of the person who answered and exactly what you were told. This prevents repeated calls and helps an attorney understand the sequence.
- Time and date of each call.
- Agency, station or facility.
- Name or identification of the person who responded.
- Whether custody was confirmed.
- Any transfer, release or court information.
- The next number or agency you were told to contact.