Hawaii
Hawaii Voyeurism Laws: Hidden Camera Penalties and Privacy Protections
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited November 1, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of November 1, 2026. · 6 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Hawaii criminalizes voyeurism and hidden camera recording under two statutes. HRS 711-1110.9 makes non-consensual intimate image recording a Class C felony carrying up to 5 years in prison, while HRS 711-1111 treats hidden cameras in private places as a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail.
Hawaii has detailed voyeurism and hidden camera laws. The state addresses voyeurism primarily through two statutes: HRS 711-1110.9 (violation of privacy in the first degree) and HRS 711-1111 (violation of privacy in the second degree). These statutes have been strengthened multiple times through legislative action to address emerging threats like revenge pornography and AI-generated deepfake images.
This guide explains what constitutes voyeurism under Hawaii law, the penalties for different offenses, how the law addresses revenge porn and deepfakes, and what protections are available to victims.
Violation of Privacy in the First Degree: HRS 711-1110.9
What the Statute Prohibits
HRS 711-1110.9 is Hawaii's primary voyeurism statute. A person commits violation of privacy in the first degree by engaging in any of the following conduct:
Non-consensual intimate image recording. A person commits this offense by intentionally or knowingly installing or using, in any private place, without the consent of the person or persons entitled to privacy there, any device for observing, recording, amplifying, or broadcasting another person in a stage of undress or sexual activity in that place. Observing is enough; no recording has to be made.
Non-consensual disclosure of intimate images. A person commits this offense by knowingly disclosing an image or video of another identifiable person in the nude or engaging in sexual conduct, without that person's consent, with intent to substantially harm the depicted person or as an act of revenge or retribution. It can apply to images that were originally shared consensually, but the statute does not apply to images of a person who was voluntarily nude or engaging in sexual conduct in public, or to images made in a voluntary commercial transaction. Disclosure was added by Act 116 (2014).
Threatening to disclose intimate images. Added by Act 114 (2018), a person commits this offense by threatening to disclose a nude or sexual image or video of an identifiable person without that person's consent, with intent to substantially harm the depicted person or as an act of revenge or retribution.
Deepfake intimate images. Added by Act 59 (2021), a person commits this offense by intentionally creating, disclosing, or threatening to disclose a nude or sexual image or video of a composite fictitious person that includes the recognizable physical characteristics of a known person, so that it appears to depict that person (a deepfake), with intent to substantially harm the depicted person or as an act of revenge or retribution.
Penalties for First-Degree Violation
Violation of privacy in the first degree is a Class C felony under Hawaii law. The penalties include:
- Imprisonment for an indeterminate term of up to 5 years under HRS 706-660
- Fines up to $10,000
- Probation may be imposed as an alternative to imprisonment
- A conviction is a "sexual offense" under HRS 846E-1, which brings sex offender registration under chapter 846E
Confidentiality and Sealing Requirements
Any recording or image made or disclosed in violation of HRS 711-1110.9 that the court has not ordered destroyed must be sealed and remain confidential (HRS 711-1110.9(5)). This protection extends throughout the legal proceedings and is designed to prevent further victimization through public disclosure of intimate images.
Violation of Privacy in the Second Degree: HRS 711-1111
What the Statute Covers
HRS 711-1111 addresses the broader category of privacy violations involving recording devices in private places. A person commits violation of privacy in the second degree if that person:
- Installs or uses a recording device in any private place, without the consent of the person or persons entitled to privacy therein, for observing, recording, amplifying, or broadcasting sounds or events in that place (other than a person undressed or in sexual activity, which is the first-degree felony)
- Peers or peeps into a window of a home or other dwelling to spy on the occupant, under circumstances in which a reasonable person inside would not expect to be observed
- Uses a device outside a private place to pick up sounds from inside that would not ordinarily be audible or comprehensible outside, without the consent of the people entitled to privacy there
- Knowingly possesses materials created in violation of the first-degree statute
- Covertly records or broadcasts an image of another person's intimate area underneath clothing ("upskirting") by use of any device, while that person is in a public place and without that person's consent
What Qualifies as a "Private Place"
Under HRS 711-1100, a private place is a location where a person "may reasonably expect to be safe from casual or hostile intrusion or surveillance." This does not include places where the public or a substantial group of the public has access.
Locations typically considered private places include:
- Bedrooms and living areas in private homes
- Hotel rooms and vacation rental units
- Bathrooms, restrooms, locker rooms, and changing areas, although whether a shared facility counts can depend on the facts, because the definition excludes places to which the public or a substantial group has access
- Medical examination rooms
- Private offices with closed doors
- Dressing rooms in retail stores
Penalties for Second-Degree Violation
Violation of privacy in the second degree is a misdemeanor. Penalties include:
- Up to 1 year in jail under HRS 706-663
- Fines up to $2,000
- Court-ordered destruction of recordings
- Probation
Hidden Camera Laws in Hawaii
Installing Hidden Cameras
Under HRS 711-1111, it is illegal to install or use any recording device in a private place without the consent of the person or persons entitled to privacy there. If the device is placed to observe or record people undressing or in sexual activity, the charge is the first-degree felony under HRS 711-1110.9. This includes:
- Hidden cameras placed in bathrooms, bedrooms, or changing areas
- Nanny cameras or other surveillance devices in private spaces without disclosure
- Cameras disguised as everyday objects (clocks, smoke detectors, picture frames)
- Any device capable of capturing images or video installed covertly in a private area
Specific Hidden Camera Scenarios
In your own home with guests. While you own the property, guests in your home have privacy expectations in certain areas. You cannot place hidden cameras in guest bedrooms, bathrooms, or other areas where guests reasonably expect privacy.
In rental properties. Landlords cannot install hidden cameras inside rental units. This is both a violation of HRS 711-1111 and potentially a violation of tenant rights. (See Hawaii landlord-tenant recording laws for more details.)
In vacation rentals. Hawaii's large vacation rental market makes this particularly relevant. Hosts of vacation rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) cannot place hidden recording devices inside the rental unit. Any visible security cameras on the exterior should be disclosed in the listing.
In the workplace. Employers cannot install hidden cameras in bathrooms, locker rooms, changing areas, or other private workplace areas. Cameras in common work areas are generally permissible with notice. (See Hawaii workplace recording laws.)
Revenge Pornography Laws
Act 116 (2014) and Act 114 (2018)
Hawaii made nonconsensual disclosure a felony in 2014. Act 116 (2014) expanded HRS 711-1110.9 to cover knowingly disclosing a nude or sexual image or video of an identifiable person without consent, with intent to substantially harm that person.
Act 114 (2018) then amended the statute to:
- Criminalize threatening to disclose such images
- Cover disclosures made as acts of revenge or retribution, such as after a relationship ends
- Require that recordings and images involved in the offense be sealed and kept confidential
The disclosure offense can apply to images originally shared with consent (such as images shared between partners) if they are later disclosed without consent.
Key Elements of a Revenge Porn Charge
To establish a violation under the revenge porn provisions of HRS 711-1110.9, prosecutors must show:
- The defendant knowingly disclosed (or threatened to disclose) an image or video
- The image shows an identifiable person in the nude or engaging in sexual conduct, as those terms are defined in HRS 712-1210
- The defendant acted with intent to substantially harm the depicted person's health, safety, business, calling, career, education, financial condition, reputation, or personal relationships, or as an act of revenge or retribution
- The disclosure was made without the depicted person's consent
Defenses
The statute's exceptions are narrow:
- It does not apply to images of a person who was voluntarily nude or engaging in sexual conduct in public, or to images made in a voluntary commercial transaction (HRS 711-1110.9(2)); these exceptions do not cover the deepfake offense
- It does not apply to conduct in the execution of a public duty or as authorized by law
- It does not make online service providers liable for images other people disclose through their services (HRS 711-1110.9(3))
The statute has no general public-interest or newsworthiness defense. Because lack of consent is an element of the disclosure offense, a disclosure the depicted person consented to is not covered.
Deepfake Laws in Hawaii
Act 59 (2021)
Hawaii addressed deepfake intimate imagery through legislation in 2021. Act 59 (2021) amended HRS 711-1110.9 to specifically criminalize:
- Creating a fake nude or sexual image or video that appears to depict a real, recognizable person
- Disclosing such an image
- Threatening to disclose such an image
Each requires intent to substantially harm the depicted person (for example, their reputation, job, or relationships) or an act of revenge or retribution.
What Counts as a Deepfake Under Hawaii Law
The law targets images of a composite fictitious person that include a known person's recognizable physical characteristics, so that the image "appears to depict the known person." This can include:
- AI-generated images that swap a person's face onto nude or sexual imagery
- AI tools that digitally remove clothing from photographs
- Any digitally manipulated image that creates a realistic depiction of intimate content involving a real person
Penalty for Deepfake Violations
Creating, disclosing, or threatening to disclose deepfake intimate images is a Class C felony carrying the same penalties as other first-degree privacy violations:
- Up to 5 years in prison
- Fines up to $10,000
Federal Deepfake Law: TAKE IT DOWN Act
The federal TAKE IT DOWN Act (signed May 19, 2025) supplements Hawaii's existing protections; since May 19, 2026 it has imposed a 48-hour notice-and-takedown obligation on online platforms for non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes. Platforms that fail to remove flagged content face federal enforcement. This federal layer operates alongside Hawaii HRS 711-1110.9 and does not preempt it.
Note: Hawaii's election deepfake law, Act 191 SLH 2024, was permanently enjoined as facially unconstitutional in Babylon Bee LLC v. Lopez, No. 1:25-cv-00234 (D. Haw. Jan. 30, 2026) (Park, J.). That injunction applies only to the election-context deepfake provision; HRS 711-1110.9 (intimate image deepfakes) is unaffected.
Civil Remedies for Voyeurism Victims
Civil Lawsuits
In addition to criminal penalties, victims of voyeurism and hidden camera recording in Hawaii can pursue civil remedies:
- Invasion of privacy tort claims under Hawaii common law
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress for severe cases
- Civil damages under HRS 803-48 if the voyeurism also involved illegal interception of communications
- Injunctive relief to prevent further disclosure of images
Statutory Damages
Under HRS 803-48, victims of illegal interception can recover:
- The greater of actual damages plus the violator's profits, or statutory damages of $100 a day for each day of violation or $10,000, whichever is greater
- Punitive damages, where appropriate
- Attorney fees and litigation costs
This remedy covers intercepted wire, oral, or electronic communications only. It does not cover video-only recording.
Protective Orders
Victims can also seek a temporary restraining order and injunction against harassment in district court (HRS 604-10.5) or, when the offender is a family or household member, an order for protection in family court (HRS chapter 586) to:
- Prohibit the defendant from contacting the victim
- Order the deletion or destruction of images
- Prevent further distribution of intimate images
Law Enforcement Exception for Recording Police
Act 164 (2016)
It is important to note that Hawaii's privacy statutes include an exception for recording law enforcement officers. Act 164 (2016) amended both HRS 711-1111 and HRS 710-1010 to protect recording police officers performing their duties in public. This exception means that recording a police officer in a public place is not a violation of privacy, even though the recording captures the officer without consent, as long as the person recording does not interfere with the officer's ability to maintain safety and control, secure crime scenes, and protect investigations. (See Hawaii laws on recording police for full details.)
Reporting Voyeurism in Hawaii
How to Report
If you are a victim of voyeurism or hidden camera recording in Hawaii:
- Contact local police to file a criminal report
- Preserve evidence of the recording device or images, but do not attempt to retrieve a hidden camera yourself if it may compromise evidence
- Document everything including dates, times, and circumstances of the discovery
- Contact a victim advocate through the Hawaii Crime Victim Compensation Commission or a local victim assistance program
- Consult an attorney about civil remedies and protective orders
Victim Resources
Hawaii offers several resources for voyeurism victims:
- Hawaii Crime Victim Compensation Commission: Provides financial assistance to crime victims for counseling and other expenses
- Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Offers support services and referrals
- Local law enforcement victim advocates: Available through county police departments
Penalty Comparison Table
| Offense | Statute | Classification | Max Prison | Max Fine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden camera in private place | HRS 711-1111 | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,000 |
| Device in a private place observing or recording someone undressed | HRS 711-1110.9 | Class C Felony | 5 years | $10,000 |
| Non-consensual disclosure | HRS 711-1110.9 | Class C Felony | 5 years | $10,000 |
| Threat to disclose | HRS 711-1110.9 | Class C Felony | 5 years | $10,000 |
| Deepfake creation/disclosure | HRS 711-1110.9 | Class C Felony | 5 years | $10,000 |
| Upskirting | HRS 711-1111 | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,000 |
More Hawaii Recording Laws
Audio Recording | Video Recording | Voyeurism and Hidden Cameras | Workplace Recording | Recording Police | Phone Call Recording | Security Cameras | Recording in Public | Landlord-Tenant Recording | Dashcam Laws | School Recording | Medical Recording
More Hawaii Recording Topics
More Hawaii Laws
- Hawaii AI Meeting Recording Laws
- Hawaii Dashcam Laws
- Hawaii Data Privacy Laws
- Hawaii Deepfake Laws
- Hawaii Employee Monitoring Laws
- Hawaii GPS Tracking Laws
- Hawaii Police Bodycam Laws
- Hawaii Smart Glasses Recording Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a felony to place a hidden camera in someone's home in Hawaii?
It depends on where the camera is and what it is placed to see. Installing a hidden camera in a private place without the consent of the people entitled to privacy there is a misdemeanor under HRS 711-1111 with up to 1 year in jail. If the camera is placed to observe or record someone undressed or in sexual activity, such as in a bathroom or bedroom, it is violation of privacy in the first degree under HRS 711-1110.9, a Class C felony carrying up to 5 years in prison, whether or not an image is captured.
Is revenge porn illegal in Hawaii?
Yes. Under HRS 711-1110.9, it is a Class C felony to knowingly disclose a nude or sexual image of an identifiable person without consent, with intent to substantially harm that person or as an act of revenge. Disclosure became a felony under Act 116 (2014), and Act 114 (2018) added threats and revenge disclosures. This applies even if the images were originally shared consensually, such as between partners during a relationship. Penalties include up to 5 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Are deepfake intimate images illegal in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii Act 59 (2021) made it a Class C felony to create, disclose, or threaten to disclose a fake nude or sexual image that appears to depict a real, recognizable person, when done with intent to substantially harm that person or as revenge. Penalties include up to 5 years in prison.
Can I sue someone for recording me with a hidden camera in Hawaii?
Yes. In addition to criminal charges, victims may be able to sue for invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. If the hidden device also recorded your private conversations, HRS 803-48 allows the greater of actual damages plus the violator's profits or statutory damages of $100 a day or $10,000, plus punitive damages and attorney's fees; that statute does not cover video-only recording. You can also seek injunctive relief to require destruction of the recordings and protective orders to prevent further distribution.
Are hidden cameras legal in Airbnb rentals in Hawaii?
No. Hidden recording devices inside vacation rental units violate HRS 711-1111, which prohibits installing recording devices in private places without consent. Exterior security cameras that are disclosed in the rental listing may be permissible, but any camera inside the rental property that is not disclosed to guests is illegal.
Updates
The key takeaway now states that Hawaii's hidden-camera felony turns on lack of consent, not secrecy.
Named the correct courts for harassment and domestic-abuse protective orders, removed an unsourced claim that Hawaii was one of the first states to criminalize deepfake intimate images, and corrected the TAKE IT DOWN Act timeline.
We corrected this page's description of HRS 711-1110.9: removed defenses the statute does not contain, restated the elements (knowing disclosure of a nude or sexual image with intent to substantially harm or as revenge), credited disclosure to Act 116 (2014) and threats to Act 114 (2018), noted that a conviction requires sex offender registration under HRS 846E-1, limited HRS 803-48 damages to recorded conversations, and removed a second-degree offense the statute does not contain.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Corrected the description of Hawaii's non-consensual intimate-image disclosure offense: the page had added a requirement that the image be originally obtained under an expectation of privacy, which is not in the statute and contradicted the page's own later, correct explanation that even consensually obtained images are covered once disclosed without consent.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Corrected 'upskirting' (recording an intimate area underneath clothing in public): it is a misdemeanor under HRS 711-1111(1)(f), not the Class C felony under HRS 711-1110.9 the page previously stated, and restated the revenge-porn 'key elements' list to include the statute's actual intent-to-harm element instead of an unrelated recording-privacy element.
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Reviewed and approved by an editor
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 711: OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER
§ 711-1110.9Violation of privacy in the first degreeIn forcecited in 19 of our articles
(1) A person commits the offense of violation of privacy in the first degree if, except in the execution of a public duty or as authorized by law: (a) The person intentionally or knowingly installs or uses, or both, in any private place, without consent of the person or persons entitled to privacy therein, any device for observing, recording, amplifying, or broadcasting another person in a stage of undress or sexual activity in that place; (b) The person knowingly discloses or threatens to disclose an image or video of another identifiable person either in the nude, as defined in section 712‑1210, or engaging in sexual conduct, as defined in section 712-1210, without the consent of the depicted person, with intent to harm substantially the depicted person with respect to that person's health, safety, business, calling, career, education, financial condition, reputation, or personal relationships or as an act of revenge or retribution; or (c) The person intentionally creates or discloses or threatens to disclose an image or video of a composite fictitious person depicted in the nude as defined in section 712-1210, or engaged in sexual conduct as defined in section 712-1210, that…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-03 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at capitol.hawaii.gov
Cited in 7 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Hawaii courts have construed HRS 711-1110.9 in the Kaakimaka litigation. State v. Kaakimaka (2026) held subsection (1)(a) requires the device, or the person using it, to be inside the private place, and reversed a conviction where the phone stayed outside. A 2025 Kaakimaka opinion upheld the charge as drawn.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Kaakimaka (Hawaii Supreme Court 2026)✓A man stood outside a vacation home and aimed his phone at a bathroom window where a 15-year-old was showering; the court held the statute requires the device or the person using it to be inside the private place, found the evidence insufficient, and reversed the conviction.
- State v. Kaakimaka. ICA s.d.o., filed 01/31/2025 [ada], 155 Haw. 297. Opinion by Hiraoka, J. Concurring in Part and Dissenting in Part. Opinion by Guidry J. Concurring in Part and Dissenting in Part. Application for Writ of Certiorari, filed 05/16/2025. S.Ct. Order Accepting Application for Writ of Certiorari, filed 06/23/2025. S.Ct. Amended Order Accepting Application for Writ of Certiorari, filed 06/23/2025 [ada]. (Hawaii Supreme Court 2025)✓Charged with recording a girl showering, the defendant argued his indictment was defective because it did not define "private place"; the court held that term is an attendant circumstance whose statutory definition need not be alleged, and upheld the charge.
- State v. Olive (Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals 2025)“…and (b). These offenses are classified as Class C felonies. HRS § 711-1110.9(2) (2014 & 2018 Supp.). HR…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Hawaii Smart Glasses Recording Laws (2026), Hawaii Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules, Hawaii Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties
§ 711-1111Violation of privacy in the second degreeIn forcecited in 20 of our articles
(1) A person commits the offense of violation of privacy in the second degree if, except in the execution of a public duty or as authorized by law, the person intentionally: (a) Trespasses on property for the purpose of subjecting anyone to eavesdropping or other surveillance in a private place; (b) Peers or peeps into a window or other opening of a dwelling or other structure adapted for sojourn or overnight accommodations for the purpose of spying on the occupant thereof or invading the privacy of another person with a lewd or unlawful purpose, under circumstances in which a reasonable person in the dwelling or other structure would not expect to be observed; (c) Trespasses on property for the sexual gratification of the actor; (d) Installs or uses, or both, in any private place, without consent of the person or persons entitled to privacy therein, any means or device for observing, recording, amplifying, or broadcasting sounds or events in that place other than another person in a stage of undress or sexual activity; provided that this paragraph shall not prohibit a person from making a video or audio recording or taking a photograph of a law enforcement officer while the…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at capitol.hawaii.gov
Cited in 10 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Hawaii decisions have construed HRS 711-1111 mainly alongside neighboring statutes. State v. Kaakimaka (2026) read subsections (1)(d) and (1)(e) as an inside and outside pair while construing the first-degree offense. State v. Lee (1984) treated 711-1111(1) as drawn from Model Penal Code 250.12 in reading the wiretap statute.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Lee (Hawaii Supreme Court 1984, 67 Haw. 307)✓An undercover officer wearing a recorder taped conversations in a doctor's private office; construing the wiretap consent provision drawn from HRS 711-1111(1)(b) and (c), the court held a body-worn device is not an "installation" in a private place, so the tapes were admissible.
- State v. Kaakimaka (Hawaii Supreme Court 2026)“…711-1110.9 and second degree violation of privacy under HRS § 711-1111 (2014 & Supp. 2025) convinces me that…”
- State v. Lester (Hawaii Supreme Court 1982, 64 Haw. 659)“…The Code provision covering wiretapping and eavesdropping, HRS § 711-1111, permits "consensual eavesdropping".…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Hawaii Dashcam Laws: Recording Rules, Audio Consent, and Legal Limits (2026), Hawaii Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Surveillance and Privacy Rights, Hawaii Medical Recording Laws: Patient Rights, HIPAA, and Consent Rules (2026)
Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 706: DISPOSITION OF CONVICTED DEFENDANTS
§ 706-660Sentence of imprisonment for class B and C felonies; ordinary terms; discretionary termsIn forcecited in 10 of our articles
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person who has been convicted of a class B or class C felony may be sentenced to an indeterminate term of imprisonment except as provided for in section 706-660.1 relating to the use of firearms in certain felony offenses and section 706-606.5 relating to repeat offenders. When ordering such a sentence, the court shall impose the maximum length of imprisonment which shall be as follows: (a) For a class B felony--ten years; and (b) For a class C felony--five years. The minimum length of imprisonment shall be determined by the Hawaii paroling authority in accordance with section 706-669. (2) A person who has been convicted of a class B or class C felony for any offense under part IV of chapter 712 may be sentenced to an indeterminate term of imprisonment; provided that this subsection shall not apply to sentences imposed under sections 706-606.5, 706-660.1, 712-1240.5, 712-1240.8 as that section was in effect prior to July 1, 2016, 712-1242, 712-1245, 712-1249.5, 712‑1249.6, 712-1249.7, and 712-1257.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at capitol.hawaii.gov
Cited in 78 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Gaylord (Hawaii Supreme Court 1995, 78 Haw. 127)“…r alia, by an indeterminate ten-year term of imprisonment. HRS § 706-660(1) (Supp.1992). . We recognize th…”
- State v. Soto (Hawaii Supreme Court 1997, 84 Haw. 229)“…murder was a class B felony and was punishable pursuant to HRS § 706-660 (1985), 21 “which delineat…”
- State v. Rivera (Hawaii Supreme Court 2004, 106 Haw. 146)“…to the amendments made by Act 102 (1965), the commentary to HRS § 706-660 (1976) states, inter alia: In 1965…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Hawaii Phone Call Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules for Calls, Hawaii Security Camera Laws: Residential and Business Surveillance Rules, Hawaii Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting
§ 706-663Sentence of imprisonment for misdemeanor and petty misdemeanorIn forcecited in 9 of our articles
After consideration of the factors set forth in sections 706-606 and 706-621, the court may sentence a person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor or a petty misdemeanor to imprisonment for a definite term to be fixed by the court and not to exceed one year in the case of a misdemeanor or thirty days in the case of a petty misdemeanor. [L 1972, c 9, pt of §1; am L 1986, c 314, §41; am L 2016, c 217, §§2, 8]
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at capitol.hawaii.gov
Cited in 38 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2022
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Sprattling (Hawaii Supreme Court 2002, 99 Haw. 312)“…ment. See HRS § 707-712(1)(b) (1993), see supra note 1; HRS § 706-663 (1993). [6] Moreover, inasmuch as the…”
- State v. Murray (Hawaii Supreme Court 2007, 116 Haw. 3)“…a misdemeanor, may be imprisoned for up to one year, (see HRS § 706-663 (Supp.1992)), the court had a duty to…”
- State v. Kaulia (Hawaii Supreme Court 2013, 128 Haw. 479)“…D PACIFIC REPORTER*** of one year. HRS § 707-712(2); HRS § 706-663 (1993).19 He therefore had a…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Hawaii Assault Laws: First, Second and Third Degree Penalties, Is Disorderly Conduct a Crime in Hawaii? Penalties and Trespass, Hawaii Felony Classes and Misdemeanor Penalties (2026)
Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 710: OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
§ 710-1010Obstructing government operationsIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(1) A person commits the offense of obstructing government operations if, by using or threatening to use violence, force, or physical interference or obstacle, the person intentionally obstructs, impairs, or hinders: (a) The performance of a governmental function by a public servant acting under color of the public servant's official authority; (b) The enforcement of the penal law or the preservation of the peace by a law enforcement officer acting under color of the law enforcement officer's official authority; or (c) The operation of a radio, telephone, television, or other telecommunication system owned or operated by the State or one of its political subdivisions.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at capitol.hawaii.gov
Cited in 2 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2017
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Line (Hawaii Supreme Court 2009, 121 Haw. 74)“…ration of Law or Other Governmental Function” is similar to HRS § 710-1010, entitled “Obstructing government opera…”
- State v. Teale. (Hawaii Supreme Court 2017, 139 Haw. 351)“…illegal activity after being issued a citation”); see also HRS § 710-1010 (1993 & Supp. 2001) (setting forth offe…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Hawaii Laws on Recording Police: Your Rights and Act 164
Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 803: ARRESTS, SEARCHES, SEARCH WARRANTS
§ 803-48Recovery of civil damages authorizedIn forcecited in 15 of our articles
Any person whose wire, oral, or electronic communication is accessed, intercepted, disclosed, or used in violation of this part shall[:] (1) Have a civil cause of action against any person who accesses, intercepts, discloses, or uses, or procures any other person to access, intercept, disclose, or use the communications[;] and (2) Be entitled to recover from any such person: (A) The greater of[:] (i) The sum of the actual damages suffered by the plaintiff and any profits made by the violator as a result of the violation[;] or (ii) Statutory damages of the greater of $100 a day for each day of violation or $10,000; (B) Punitive damages, where appropriate; and (C) A reasonable attorney's fee and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. The aggrieved person may also seek and be awarded such preliminary, and other equitable or declaratory relief as may be appropriate. A good faith reliance on a court order shall constitute a complete defense to any civil action brought under this part. [L 1978, c 218, pt of §2; am L 1986, c 303, §8; am L 1989, c 164, §10; am L 2006, c 200, pt of §4]
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at capitol.hawaii.gov
Also relied on in: Hawaii Video Recording Laws: Privacy Rules and Consent Requirements, Hawaii Workplace Recording Laws: Employee and Employer Rights, Hawaii AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)
Sources and References
- Hawaii Revised Statutes 711-1110.9 - Violation of Privacy in the First Degree(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov
- Hawaii Revised Statutes 711-1111 - Violation of Privacy in the Second Degree(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov
- Hawaii Revised Statutes 706-660 - Sentencing for Class B and C Felonies(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov
- Hawaii Revised Statutes 803-48 - Recovery of Civil Damages(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov
- Hawaii Act 164 (2016) - Right to Record Law Enforcement(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov
- Hawaii Revised Statutes 710-1010 - Obstructing Government Operations(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov