Restraining Orders

You can call the police to report a violation, even if you think it is minor. Intentionally violating a domestic abuse protective order can be a crime. 

In Hawai‘i, someone convicted for violating a temporary order (TRO) must:

• Serve a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 5 to 30 days. The specific sentence will depend on whether or not:
  
  • this is the first violation;
  • the abuser has been convicted of certain felonies in the past; and
  • any of the felonies were committed against a family or household member;
• Pay a fine of $300 to $1000 unless the judge finds that s/he won’t be able to pay;
• Complete an assessment through a local domestic violence program; and
• Complete a domestic violence intervention or anger management course.¹ 

Someone convicted of violating a final order must:

• Serve a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 5 to 45 days. The specific sentence will depend on whether or not:
  • this is the first violation; and
  • there were any violations of the TRO issued in the same case;
• Pay a fine of $300 to $1000 unless the judge finds that s/he won’t be able to pay;
• Complete an assessment through a local domestic violence program; and
• Complete a domestic violence intervention or anger management course.²

When you call the police, they will generally send an officer out to make a report. Show the police your TRO or domestic abuse protective order. Save any available evidence you have of the violation.

Hopefully, the police will make a report even if the abuser is not arrested. It’s usually a good idea to write down the responding officer’s name and badge number so you can follow up on your case if needed.

¹ Haw. Rev. Stat. § 586-4(e)
² Haw. Rev. Stat. § 586-11(a)