In a move aimed at improving transparency and public safety, the Honolulu City Council has approved a bill requiring the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) to release timely and accurate information to selected news outlets during major public safety incidents. This decision, announced on December 6, 2025, marks a notable shift in the existing protocols of information dissemination by the HPD.
The primary objective of the ordinance is to facilitate the swift flow of critical data to the public through established media channels. As stated in the bill's introduction, the Council found that "the release of public information by government agencies in a consistent, impartial, accurate and timely manner is critical to maintaining the public's trust in government operations." Honolulu City Council. The goal is to prevent the spread of misinformation and mitigate public distrust during emergencies. While the legislation mandates greater information sharing, it also acknowledges the need to protect sensitive data, such as personal information and ongoing investigations.
The bill’s stipulations detail the information that should be shared with the public and media outlets, including street names, incident types, crime classifications, and general descriptions of the reported incidents. Some members of the HPD have expressed concerns about the practical implementation of the bill. During discussions, HPD Interim Chief Rade Vanic cited potential violations of state and federal laws and policies concerning the confidential nature of sensitive, often crime-related, data GovTech. These concerns include the protection of personally identifiable information (PII) and compliance with the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security policies. The approved bill mandates that the Chief of Police develop a strategic plan and internal procedures for fulfilling these requirements within six months.
The enactment of this bill is likely to have substantial implications for both the media and the public. Local news organizations are expected to refine their strategies for accessing and reporting information during emergencies. For local business owners, the timely release of information about safety incidents in Waikiki and other districts is key to maintaining local safety and tourism. Public’s can rely on established news outlets to share the correct information instead of relying on unreliable sources on social media such as Facebook. Public trust will rest on the appropriate release of information by the HPD and the accuracy of the delivered information by the news outlets.
The Honolulu Police Department issued a statement on February 10, 2022, which addressed the release of routine information. It stated that the officer in charge at a crime scene is responsible for providing available information to accredited news media representatives. Honolulu Police Department. Furthermore, the public can expect new releases from the HPD.
The successful enactment of Bill 46 is further evidence of the ongoing public debate concerning openness and the media in disseminating information.
