# Hawaii's Highway Patrol Gap

> Hawaii lacks a state highway patrol but has new traffic units emerging.
- Title: Hawaii's Highway Patrol Gap · Jalopnik | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: hawaii, highway patrol, oahu, honolulu police department, department of law enforcement, traffic enforcement, state police, cars, culture, Hawaii's, Highway, Patrol
- Source: Jalopnik — https://jalopnik.com/2273836/hawaii-only-state-no-highway-patrol
- Author: Beverly Braga
- Published: 2026-10-05T03:25:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: hawaii, highway patrol, oahu, honolulu police department, department of law enforcement, traffic enforcement, state police, cars, culture
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Hawaii has no state highway patrol but is implementing dedicated traffic patrols on Oahu to address speeding and drunk driving.