How to resolve a warrant in Hawaii

The path to resolving a warrant in Hawaii

You do not have to wait to be caught off guard. This is the ordered, on-your-own-terms way to handle it — each step points to an official source.

Step 1

Confirm the warrant with the court that issued it

Call the District Court (most traffic and misdemeanor matters) or Circuit Court (felonies) for the county that handled the citation or case to get the case number and the reason. You can use the Judiciary's eCourt Kokua portal to find your case number first, then confirm the record is actually yours.
Official source
Step 2

Ask the court clerk how to appear or surrender

Ask whether the matter can be handled by appearing on a court date or by surrendering, and whether bail applies. Follow the specific instructions that court gives you.
Official source
Step 3

Ask whether the bench warrant can be recalled or the case reopened

In some cases a court can recall a bench warrant or reopen a case on request or motion. The clerk can tell you the procedure to request a hearing. This is a procedural option, not a prediction of any outcome.
Official source
Step 4

Act during court business hours

Handling it during normal business hours lets the court process the case and lets a judge address bail promptly rather than being held longer.
Official source

Turning yourself in on your own terms in Hawaii

Resolving a warrant on your own terms (by appearing at the issuing court or surrendering during business hours) lets you plan the timing, arrange transportation, and have funds ready, rather than being taken into custody unexpectedly during any police contact. This is a logistical point about timing and preparation only.

What to bring

A government-issued photo ID
Any paperwork you have (citation, notice, case number, or warrant number)
Funds or a payment method for cash bail, or, if a surety bond is used, arrangements with a licensed Hawaii bail bond agent

What to expect

Expect to be processed/booked and brought before a judge who sets or reviews bail and conditions of release.

Depending on what is set, supervised release, full cash bail, or a surety bond through a licensed agent may be options.

In Hawaii, the matter being addressed is generally a bench warrant.

How bail and release work in Hawaii

Commercial bail available

In Hawaii, commercial bail exists. If a judge sets money bail, it can be posted in cash with the court or through a licensed bail agent for a fee — and a judge may also release you on your own recognizance or on conditions.

Hawaii recognizes commercial surety bail.

Bail is governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 804, which allows release on bail with sureties, so a person can be released by posting a surety bond through a bail bond agent, by depositing the full cash bail with the court, or on a supervised release / recognizance basis in some cases.

Bail bonds are a surety product, and the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Insurance Division licenses insurance producers under the surety line of authority.

Bail amounts follow court bail schedules and can be reviewed by a judge.

Hawaii has also expanded release without money bail for many nonviolent petty misdemeanors and violations.

Where a surety bail bond is used, the bail bond agent charges a non-refundable premium (a fee for posting the bond), in practice commonly in the range of about 10% to 15% of the bond amount; confirm the exact figure with a licensed bail bond agent.

Your rights. You have the right to talk to a lawyer about your situation, and if you cannot afford one, you can ask the court about a public defender.

A few cautions before you go

Hawaii has no public online warrant search; confirm the warrant directly with the issuing court or the county police, and verify the record is actually yours.
Do not ignore it; a bench or arrest warrant stays active until resolved, can lead to arrest at any contact, and missing a court date can add a contempt or failure-to-appear charge and forfeit bail.
Use only a licensed Hawaii bail bond agent if you post a surety bond.
Each county runs its own police department (Honolulu, Hawaii County, Maui, Kauai); direct questions to the county where the matter is pending.

Contact the issuing court or county sheriff in Hawaii

A warrant is issued by a court and served by the county sheriff — they are who can confirm it and tell you the exact way to resolve it. Start with these official Hawaii sources.

Not sure you actually have a warrant?

Before you act, confirm whether one exists. warrant.guru walks through exactly how to check in Hawaii.

Check for a warrant in Hawaii Looking for someone in jail or prison? Find them

Common questions about resolving a warrant in Hawaii

How do I resolve a warrant in Hawaii?

Confirm the warrant with the court that issued it or the county sheriff, then work through these steps: Confirm the warrant with the court that issued it; Ask the court clerk how to appear or surrender; Ask whether the bench warrant can be recalled or the case reopened; Act during court business hours.

How do I turn myself in in Hawaii?

Resolving a warrant on your own terms (by appearing at the issuing court or surrendering during business hours) lets you plan the timing, arrange transportation, and have funds ready, rather than being taken into custody unexpectedly during any police contact. This is a logistical point about timing and preparation only.

Does Hawaii have commercial bail bondsmen?

Yes. Commercial bail exists in Hawaii: licensed bail agents operate here, and if a judge sets money bail it can be posted in cash with the court or through a licensed bail agent for a fee. A judge may also grant own-recognizance or conditional release.

What should I bring if I turn myself in in Hawaii?

A government-issued photo ID; Any paperwork you have (citation, notice, case number, or warrant number); Funds or a payment method for cash bail, or, if a surety bond is used, arrangements with a licensed Hawaii bail bond agent.

Sources & last verified

Everything here links out to official government or public-reference sources. We don't store or republish records.

Last verified 2026-07-23 · 6 sources

How do I resolve a warrant and turn myself in in Hawaii?