A hit and run in Honolulu is a criminal offense that ranges from a misdemeanor to a Class B felony depending on whether anyone was hurt. Hawaii law requires every driver in a collision to stop, exchange information, and help anyone who is injured. Skipping any of those duties can mean up to ten years in prison, fines up to $25,000, a revoked license, and a restitution order on top.
What the Law Requires at the Scene
Four duties kick in the moment you’re involved in a crash, whether on a public road or a private parking lot. Stop your vehicle at or near the scene without blocking traffic more than necessary. Give the other driver or property owner your name, home address, and vehicle registration number. Show your driver’s license if asked. And help anyone who appears injured, including arranging transportation to a hospital if treatment looks necessary or the person requests it.1Justia. Hawaii Code 291C-14 – Duty to Give Information and Render Aid
You owe the same information to any police officer who shows up or investigates afterward. Fail on any of these steps and you can be charged, even if the other driver caused the crash.
Penalties by Severity
Hawaii ties the charge to the harm caused. The tiers move sharply, and the line between them matters.
Property Damage Only
If you damage another vehicle or property and no one is hurt, you must stop and complete the information exchange.2Justia. Hawaii Code 291C-13 – Collisions Involving Damage to Vehicle or Property Driving away turns a civil matter into a criminal one. The court can also add a surcharge of up to $100 for Hawaii’s trauma system special fund.
Bodily Injury
Leaving the scene of a crash that caused physical pain or minor impairment is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. A $100 neurotrauma surcharge is mandatory, and the court may add up to another $100 for the trauma system fund.3Justia. Hawaii Code 291C-12.6 – Collisions Involving Bodily Injury4Justia. Hawaii Code 706-640 – Authorized Fines
Substantial Bodily Injury
When the injury involves major fractures, serious lacerations, or disfigurement, the charge is a Class C felony, carrying up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.5Justia. Hawaii Code 291C-12.5 – Collisions Involving Substantial Bodily Injury6Justia. Hawaii Code 706-660 – Sentence of Imprisonment for Felony
Serious Bodily Injury or Death
The top tier is a Class B felony with up to ten years in prison and fines reaching $25,000. The court must revoke your driver’s license (including any nonresident driving privilege), impose a mandatory $500 neurotrauma surcharge, and may add up to another $500 for the trauma system fund.7Justia. Hawaii Code 291C-12 – Collisions Involving Death or Serious Bodily Injury4Justia. Hawaii Code 706-640 – Authorized Fines
Restitution is separate from any fine. Hawaii courts are required to order defendants to reimburse victims for verified losses, including medical bills, mental health treatment, counseling, and lost earnings.8Justia. Hawaii Code 706-646 – Victim Restitution Total financial exposure can climb well past the statutory fine.
Parked Cars and Unattended Property
Clipping a parked car, fence, or mailbox comes with its own set of duties. Either find the owner and share your name, address, and registration number in person, or leave a written note with that information attached to the property somewhere visible. You also have to notify the nearest police officer without unnecessary delay.9Justia. Hawaii Code 291C-15 – Duty Upon Striking Unattended Vehicle or Other Property Bumping a bumper in a parking lot and driving off because it looked minor is technically a hit and run.
If You Were Hit
Call 911. Honolulu Police Department’s online reporting system does not accept motor vehicle collision reports, so every crash has to go through 911 or direct contact with an officer.10Honolulu Police Department. Police Reports Once an officer takes the report, you’ll get a report number. Hold onto it. Insurance companies need it, and you may need it later if the case moves toward court.
If you’re a pedestrian or cyclist struck by a driver who fled, don’t chase the vehicle. Get somewhere safe and call 911. Seek medical evaluation even if you feel fine; adrenaline masks injuries, and a delay complicates both your health and any claim. While you wait for police, photograph the scene, your injuries, and any debris the vehicle left behind. Look around for security cameras at nearby businesses or intersections. Write down what you remember about the vehicle while it’s fresh.
How Your Insurance Covers It
Hawaii is a no-fault state. Your own auto policy pays your initial medical costs regardless of who caused the crash, and every policy must include personal injury protection of at least $10,000 per person per accident.11Justia. Hawaii Code 431-10C-301 – Required Motor Vehicle Policy Coverage PIP does not require you to identify the driver, which makes it the fastest path to paid bills when the driver is never found.
Hawaii policies must also include uninsured motorist coverage unless you rejected it in writing.11Justia. Hawaii Code 431-10C-301 – Required Motor Vehicle Policy Coverage UM protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified, which covers most hit-and-run situations. Hawaii courts have confirmed that hit-and-run victims can collect UM benefits even when the fleeing driver is never found. If you opted out in the past and now want it back, ask your insurer.
Minimum liability in Hawaii is $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $10,000 for property damage.11Justia. Hawaii Code 431-10C-301 – Required Motor Vehicle Policy Coverage If the driver is eventually identified but carries only minimum limits, your underinsured motorist coverage (if you have it) can fill the gap. This is where a lot of claims run short.
Suing the Driver
If the driver is identified, you have two years from the date of the collision to file a civil suit for personal injury or property damage.12Justia. Hawaii Code 657-7 – Damage to Persons or Property Miss the deadline and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case. Courts occasionally apply a discovery rule and start the clock from the date you knew or should have known about an injury, which can matter when symptoms surface weeks later. Don’t count on it. Document your injuries early and talk to a lawyer well before the two years run out.
Crime Victim Compensation
Hawaii’s Crime Victim Compensation Commission provides financial help to victims of qualifying crimes, including hit-and-run injuries. You must report the incident to law enforcement without undue delay, and the crime must involve an eligible offense such as assault or negligent injury.13Hawaii State Judiciary. Crime Victim Compensation Eligible claimants include the injured victim, family members who paid medical or funeral bills, dependents of a deceased victim, and anyone financially responsible for the victim’s care.
Applications are due within 18 months of the injury or death, with late filings accepted only for good cause.13Hawaii State Judiciary. Crime Victim Compensation Awards are capped and meant to cover gaps insurance doesn’t fill. If you were hurt and the driver was never found, this program may be one of your few direct sources of relief beyond your own coverage.