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Hawaii Domestic Violence Law

Hawaii Domestic Violence Defense

What you're facing under HRS § 709-906, how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to Hawaii (HI) domestic violence law.

Offense Class

Misdemeanor (first offense); Class C Felony (with prior conviction within 2 years under HRS § 709-906(9))

Maximum Penalty

1 year (first offense misdemeanor); 5 years (felony for repeat)

Maximum Fine

$2,000 (first); $10,000 (felony)

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Mandatory Minimum

Hawaii imposes a mandatory minimum of 48 hours (first offense with prior conviction); 15 days (if prior TRO violation); 30 days (second TRO violation) for this charge. Charge reductions or alternative sentencing are questions worth raising before the plea is entered.

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Federal Firearms Prohibition (Lautenberg Amendment)

A conviction for misdemeanor domestic violence in Hawaii carries a federalfirearms-possession ban under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). This consequence is collateral to Hawaii state penalties and applies regardless of the state sentence imposed.

Penalty Range in Hawaii

StatuteHRS § 709-906 — Abuse of Family or Household Members
Minimum Penalty
Maximum Penalty1 year (first offense misdemeanor); 5 years (felony for repeat)
Maximum Fine$2,000 (first); $10,000 (felony)

Charge Enhancements

These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in Hawaii:

  • Prior conviction within 2 years (Class C felony)
  • Violation of TRO (enhanced mandatory minimum)
  • Strangulation (separate charge under HRS § 709-906(8))

Hawaii-Specific Detail

Mandatory arrest required for domestic abuse calls. Court must order domestic violence intervention assessment. No-contact order imposed during pendency of the case.

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Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about Hawaii domestic violence law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.