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Hawaii DUI Laws

DUI Defense in Hawaii

Statutes, Penalties, and Defense Strategies

What you are facing, the deadlines that bind you, and the questions an attorney needs to answer — under Hawaii (HI) DUI law.

BAC Limit

0.08

Enhanced BAC

0.15

Higher penalties above this

Lookback Period

10 years

Prior offenses count within

First Offense Penalties in Hawaii

Jail TimeUp to 5 days
Fines$150 – $1,000
License Suspension1 year (eligible for IID permit after 30 days)
Ignition Interlock

Plain language

A breath-tester wired into the car ignition. The car will not start without a clean sample.

Required during revocation period

Implied Consent and Test Refusal

Hawaii has an

implied consent law

Plain language

By driving on the state's roads, you have already agreed to a chemical test if an officer has probable cause to think you are impaired.

like every state. The test can be breath, blood, or urine. Refusing carries its own penalty, listed below.

Refusal Penalty

1-year license revocation

Hawaii-Specific Detail

Hawaii has relatively light jail sentences for first offenses but imposes a full 1-year license revocation. The state also requires 14 hours of substance abuse education.

Is your Hawaii DUI defense on track?

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DUI Defense Playbook — $127

26 questions that change how your next attorney meeting goes, a case stage roadmap, red flag checklist, and a case progress scorecard. Instant PDF download — calibrated for Hawaii DUI defendants.

Get the DUI Playbook — $127Read the Free DUI Guide

Other Hawaii defense topics

Facing a different charge in Hawaii? Penalty ranges, enhancements, and defense questions for related crimes:

Drug Possession in HawaiiAssault in HawaiiDomestic Violence in Hawaii

Important: This page provides general legal information about Hawaii DUI laws as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your case, speaking with a Hawaii-licensed attorney is one option, or take the free Masked Researcher’s First Read to see where your case stands.