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Maui County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Maui County?

Public records in Maui County are defined under Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92F, as government records which are open to public inspection and copying unless access is restricted or closed by law. Pursuant to HRS § 92F-3, a "government record" means information maintained by an agency in written, auditory, visual, electronic, or other physical form.

Maui County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

  • Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family court proceedings)
  • Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, tax maps)
  • Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
  • Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious business names)
  • Tax records (property tax assessments, tax bills, payment history)
  • Voting and election records (voter registration, election results)
  • Meeting minutes and agendas (County Council, boards, commissions)
  • Budget and financial documents (annual budgets, expenditure reports)
  • Law enforcement records (police reports, arrest logs where permitted)
  • Land use and zoning records (permits, variances, zoning maps)
  • Environmental records (impact statements, compliance documents)

The Maui County Clerk's Office maintains official County Council records, while the Department of Finance oversees property tax records. The Department of Planning maintains land use and zoning records, and the Department of Public Works holds building permit records. Vital records are maintained by the Hawaii State Department of Health.

Maui County has implemented the Maui County MAPPS portal (Maui Automated Permit Processing System) which allows residents to search various public records, apply for permits, and access county services online.

Is Maui County an Open Records County?

Maui County adheres to Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), which establishes the state's open records framework. Under HRS § 92F-11, all government records are open to public inspection unless access is restricted or closed by law.

The UIPA states: "All government records are open to public inspection unless access is restricted or closed by law." This fundamental provision establishes the presumption of openness that guides Maui County's approach to public records.

Maui County also complies with Hawaii's Sunshine Law, codified in HRS Chapter 92, which requires open meetings and public access to government decision-making processes. The County Council and all boards and commissions must conduct business in public with limited exceptions for executive sessions.

The County has established a UIPA Public Records Request portal to facilitate access to government records. This online system provides a centralized method for submitting and tracking public record requests to various county departments and agencies.

Maui County's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its Open Data Portal, which provides direct access to numerous datasets without requiring formal records requests.

How to Find Public Records in Maui County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Maui County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

  1. Online Portal Access: The Maui County UIPA Public Records Request portal serves as the primary method for submitting formal records requests. This centralized system allows requestors to:

    • Submit requests to specific departments
    • Track the status of pending requests
    • Receive electronic copies of responsive records
    • Pay any applicable fees online

  2. Direct Department Contact: For routine records, contacting the specific department that maintains the records may be more efficient:

  3. In-Person Inspection: Requestors may visit county offices during regular business hours to inspect records in person. The Kalana O Maui Building houses most county departments.

  4. Court Records: Judicial records are maintained separately by the Hawaii State Judiciary. The eCourt Kokua system provides online access to court case information.

  5. Property Records Search: The Maui County Real Property Assessment portal allows searching of property ownership, assessment values, and tax information without submitting a formal request.

  6. GIS Records: Geographic information system (GIS) data is available through the County of Maui GIS portal.

When submitting a formal request, requestors should:

  • Clearly identify the specific records sought
  • Provide contact information for follow-up
  • Indicate preferred format for receiving records
  • Specify whether inspection or copies are requested

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Maui County?

Maui County assesses fees for public records in accordance with HRS § 92F-42(13), which authorizes the Office of Information Practices to adopt rules setting forth fees and other charges for searching, reviewing, or segregating disclosable records.

The current fee structure for public records in Maui County includes:

  • Duplication Costs:

    • Paper copies: $0.25 per page (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
    • Larger format copies (maps, plans): Actual cost of reproduction
    • Electronic copies to CD/DVD: $10.00 per disc
    • Electronic delivery: No charge when records are already in electronic format

  • Search, Review, and Segregation Fees:

    • First $30.00 of fees are waived for each request
    • $2.50 per 15 minutes of search time ($10.00 per hour)
    • $5.00 per 15 minutes for review and segregation ($20.00 per hour)
    • Fees may be waived when disclosure is in the public interest

  • Other Specialized Fees:

    • Certified copies: Additional $1.00 per document
    • GIS data: Varies by dataset and complexity
    • Specialized reports: Actual cost of preparation

Accepted payment methods include:

  • Credit/debit cards (online portal)
  • Cash (in-person only)
  • Checks or money orders payable to "County of Maui"

Departments may require prepayment of estimated fees when costs are expected to exceed $15.00. Fee waivers may be granted when the public interest would be served by disclosure, particularly for requests from news media, non-profit organizations, or academic researchers.

Does Maui County Have Free Public Records?

Maui County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to requestors:

Free inspection of records is available during regular business hours at the appropriate county department, as guaranteed by HRS § 92F-11(b), which states that "each agency upon request by any person shall make government records available for inspection and copying."

The County also provides numerous free online resources:

Additionally, the first $30.00 of fees for search, review, and segregation are waived for each request, effectively making many smaller requests free of charge. Public interest fee waivers may be granted when disclosure would primarily benefit the general public rather than a private interest.

Who Can Request Public Records in Maui County?

Under Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act, any person may request access to public records maintained by Maui County. Pursuant to HRS § 92F-3, "person" means an individual, corporation, government agency, or any other entity.

Key eligibility considerations include:

  • Residency: Hawaii law does not restrict access based on residency status. Non-residents have the same rights to request public records as Hawaii residents.

  • Identification: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when:

    • Requesting one's own personal records
    • Seeking records with restricted access
    • Requesting vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)

  • Purpose Statement: Requestors generally are not required to state the purpose of their request or intended use of records. As specified in HRS § 92F-11(b), agencies shall make records available "upon request by any person" without qualification as to purpose.

  • Personal Records Access: When requesting access to one's own personal records under HRS § 92F-21, individuals must provide sufficient proof of identity.

  • Third-Party Records: Requests for records containing personal information about others may be subject to privacy protections under HRS § 92F-13(1).

  • Commercial Use: While commercial entities may request records, certain specialized databases or compilations may have specific terms of use or licensing requirements.

Government agencies, including other counties, state departments, and federal agencies, may also request records from Maui County through intergovernmental agreements or formal UIPA requests.

What Records Are Confidential in Maui County?

While Maui County operates under a presumption of openness, HRS § 92F-13 exempts certain records from disclosure. These confidential records include:

  • Personal Privacy Information: Records that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, including:

    • Social Security numbers
    • Home addresses and telephone numbers of certain public employees
    • Medical and health information
    • Financial account numbers
    • Personnel evaluation information

  • Law Enforcement Records: Information that, if disclosed, would:

    • Interfere with an ongoing investigation or prosecution
    • Deprive a person of a right to a fair trial
    • Constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
    • Reveal the identity of a confidential source
    • Disclose confidential investigative techniques

  • Judicial Records: Certain court records that have been sealed by judicial order

  • Juvenile Records: Records relating to family court proceedings involving minors

  • Inter/Intra-Agency Deliberative Materials: Preliminary drafts, notes, and recommendations in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated or recommended

  • Proprietary Information: Trade secrets or confidential commercial and financial information

  • Attorney-Client Communications: Records protected by the attorney-client privilege

  • Security Information: Records that, if disclosed, would raise significant security or safety concerns, including:

    • Critical infrastructure details
    • Security procedures and protocols
    • Emergency response plans

  • Records Protected by Other Laws: Information specifically protected by other state or federal statutes, including:

    • HIPAA-protected health information
    • FERPA-protected education records
    • Child welfare records under HRS Chapter 350
    • Adoption records under HRS Chapter 578

When a record contains both public and confidential information, Maui County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by HRS § 92F-42(13).

The Office of Information Practices applies a balancing test when privacy interests are involved, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy interest of the individual.

Maui County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Maui County does not have a separate "Recorder's Office" as found in many mainland jurisdictions. Instead, recording functions are distributed among several county departments and the State Bureau of Conveyances.

Maui County Clerk's Office
200 South High Street, 7th Floor
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 270-7748
County Clerk

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM (except holidays)
Functions: County Council records, elections, legislative history

Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances (Maui Office)
1063 Lower Main Street, Suite C-214
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 984-3067
Bureau of Conveyances

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM (except holidays)
Functions: Land records, deeds, mortgages, liens

Maui County Real Property Assessment Division
70 East Kaahumanu Avenue, Suite A-16
Kahului, HI 96732
(808) 270-7297
Real Property Assessment Division

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (except holidays)
Functions: Property ownership records, tax maps, assessment information

Maui County Department of Finance
200 South High Street, 2nd Floor
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 270-7722
Department of Finance

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (except holidays)
Functions: Tax records, business licenses, treasury documents

Second Circuit Court (State Judiciary)
2145 Main Street
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 244-2700
Hawaii State Judiciary

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM (except holidays)
Functions: Court records, case files, marriage licenses

Lookup Public Records in Maui County

Maui County online services

UIPA public records request portal

Maui's online portal for record requests

Maui County MAPPS system

Hawaii Judiciary eCourt Kokua

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