Kauai County Inmate Population Search
Kauai County has the smallest inmate population of the four main Hawaii counties. The Kauai Community Correctional Center in Lihue handles nearly all jail bookings for the island, and the Kauai Police Department keeps the records on every arrest. Recent numbers show KCCC running below capacity, which is a shift from past years when it sat well over design. This page walks you through how to search the Kauai County inmate population, pull court files from the Fifth Circuit, and use state tools like SAVIN and HCJDC for full custody and history data.
Kauai County Overview
Kauai County Inmate Population Snapshot
Kauai is the fourth largest county in the state by population. Its inmate count runs lower than Oahu, the Big Island, or Maui. Most bookings come from Lihue, Kapaa, and the south shore. The 2023 Hawaii NIBRS Dashboard logged 1,127 arrestees on Kauai with known age group data that year. Most arrests were for crimes against persons.
All Kauai arrests are handled by the Kauai Police Department. After booking, people are held at KCCC in Lihue. Sentenced men move to Halawa on Oahu. Sentenced women move to WCCC in Kailua. Some inmates end up at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Arizona under the out-of-state contract run by DCR.
The Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation oversees all state custody. For custody status, SAVIN is the fastest public tool.
Note: Kauai's recent drop in jail population is rare in Hawaii, and DCR has used the shift to add reentry programs rather than house more people at KCCC.
Kauai Community Correctional Center Inmate Population
KCCC sits at 3-5351 Kuhio Highway in Lihue. The phone is (808) 241-3050 ext. 244. The design capacity is 128 to 130 beds. The May 2025 count dropped to 84, which puts the facility at 65% full. That is a 26% drop from 2024.
About 52.3% of KCCC inmates are pre-trial. The rest are serving short jail terms or waiting for transfer. The facility runs a Lifetime Stand Program for sentenced felons. KCCC also runs a vegetable farm that feeds the facility and trains inmates in basic farming skills.
The KCCC page lists visit rules, mail rules, and the current phone tree. Visitors must pre-register and clear a short background screen at the gate.
Take a look at the KCCC facility landing page below for current contact info.
The drop in inmate count at KCCC has let staff run more programs per person. That often helps cut the chance of return to jail after release.
Kauai Police Department Records
The Kauai Police Department is at 3990 Kaana Street, Suite 200, in Lihue. The main phone is (808) 241-1900. A second line is (808) 241-1661. The records unit can be reached at (808) 241-1711.
KPD keeps arrest logs, booking sheets, and incident reports. It also acts as a HCJDC Public Access Site, so residents can run a statewide criminal history check at the station. Hours run on weekdays.
See the KPD main page for records request forms. For contact details, see the KPD contact page.
Here is a view of the KPD main page, which lists record request forms and current station hours.
KPD staff also handle walk-in requests for local arrest logs. Bring a photo ID and a case number if you have one. Without a case number, staff can still search by name and date.
Kauai Police Department Contact Details
The contact page on the KPD site lays out all the phone numbers you may need. The main number is for general calls. The records line is for copies of arrest records and police reports. Each district on the island has its own substation.
Below is the KPD contact page, which shows the main lines and substation contacts.
For the current page, see the KPD contact page. You can also reach the clerk's office there if a records request needs follow-up.
Kauai Arrest Records and Inmate Roster Search
Kauai arrest records follow HRS § 846-2.7 and HRS Chapter 92F. Convictions stay public. Non-conviction data under HRS § 846-9 gets held back from most public checks. Juvenile records under HRS § 571-84 are sealed.
For a local search, call or visit the KPD records unit. For a statewide search, use HCJDC at $30 per name. The HCJDC result letter lists all known arrests and outcomes across Hawaii. That is the most complete record you can get with one request.
The KPD records unit answers phone requests during normal business hours. Staff can check if a booking is on file and tell you what forms you need to pull a copy. For arrests that have moved to court, the Fifth Circuit clerk in Lihue has the more complete file.
Note: Under HRS § 831-3.2, a Kauai arrest that did not lead to a conviction may be eligible for expungement through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.
Kauai County Inmate Records Through the Courts
Kauai court records give more detail than police logs on their own. The Fifth Circuit Court sits in Lihue at the Puʻuhonua Kaulike Building, 3970 Kaʻana Street. The phone is (808) 482-2330. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Use eCourt Kokua to find case files by name or case number. The tool shows charges, hearing dates, bail, and outcomes. The Fifth Circuit page lists clerk hours and contact info.
The Kauai County Clerk at 4396 Rice Street, Suite 209, Lihue, can be reached at (808) 241-4800 for non-court records.
Sealed or expunged records under HRS § 831-3.2 do not show in eCourt Kokua. Juvenile records under HRS § 571-84 are also hidden from public view. If a search comes back empty, that may be why. HCJDC can confirm with a written letter.
Statewide Custody Tools for Kauai Inmate Population
Three state tools cover Kauai inmate searches.
- SAVIN on VINE tracks custody status in real time and sends free alerts.
- HCJDC records check runs full statewide history searches for $30 per name.
- Hawaii Sex Offender Registry lists registered offenders under HRS § 846E-02.
SAVIN works well for Kauai because inmates often move between KCCC and Halawa on Oahu. The alerts fire when a move happens. That saves you from calling each facility.
HCJDC runs under HRS § 846-2.7. For answers to common questions, see the HCJDC FAQ. KPD in Lihue acts as a Public Access Site, so you can run the check in person if you prefer.
Your Rights to Kauai Inmate Records
Hawaii's open records law is HRS Chapter 92F, known as UIPA. Most jail rosters, arrest logs, and court filings are open under this law. The full text is at UIPA on Justia.
HRS § 92F-12(a)(13) lists records that must be shared on request. HRS § 92F-13 lists the main reasons an agency can deny a record. Kauai County offices follow the same rules as any other state agency.
The Office of Information Practices helps if a request is denied. OIP runs free training and has sample letters you can use as a starting point.
Note: You do not have to give a reason when you ask for a public record on Kauai, and UIPA gives agencies only a short window to respond before OIP can step in.
Kauai Reentry and Community Programs
KCCC runs a small set of reentry tools. These include drug treatment, GED prep, and the Lifetime Stand Program. The facility's vegetable farm also works as a training line for sentenced men.
State-level tools reach Kauai inmates as well. The DPS Corrections page lists main reentry programs. Hawaii Correctional Industries runs work lines that train inmates in basic trades.
Kauai's recent drop in jail population has let KCCC staff offer more time per inmate in these programs. That tends to cut the chance of a return to jail within three years of release.
Fees and How to Make a Request
Fees for Kauai inmate records follow Hawaii Admin Rules §8-101-6. Local police report copies run from $5 to $25 based on the type and length of the record. HCJDC checks cost $30 per name. Court copies from the clerk's office cost a few cents per page.
Send requests in writing when you can. Include a clear name, a date range, and a case number if known. Most Kauai offices take requests by mail or in person. Some take email for short requests.
Pay fees at the time of pickup. Most offices take cash, check, or money order. Some take card. The clerk's office can tell you before you send the request.