From Jalopnik · Beverly Braga · · 1m
Hawaii's Highway Patrol Gap
Hawaii lacks a state highway patrol but has new traffic units emerging.
In brief
Hawaii lacks a state highway patrol but has new traffic units emerging. Hawaii has no state highway patrol but is implementing dedicated traffic patrols on Oahu to address speeding and drunk driving. Originally reported by Jalopnik.
Hawaii's road network
Hawaii has more than 950 centerline miles of roadways across its eight major islands.
Oahu's road dominance
Oahu hosts nearly 70 percent of Hawaii's 1.4 million kama'aina and 95 percent of the state's roadways.
No state police
Hawaii is the only state without a state highway patrol despite having local officers and military police.
DLE traffic unit
The Department of Law Enforcement has recommended and begun implementing dedicated traffic patrols on Oahu.
Honolulu police role
The Honolulu Police Department patrols most Oahu highways using privately owned vehicles.
Traffic safety concerns
Hawaii's traffic deaths rose in 2024 and 2025 with 2025 having the most fatalities since 2007.
Law enforcement structure
Hawaii has four police departments overseeing their respective counties and islands.
The key point
Hawaii has no state highway patrol but is implementing dedicated traffic patrols on Oahu to address speeding and drunk driving.
