Lost & Found Services in Hawaii

Discover how to report or find lost items across major cities in Hawaii. We help you connect with local services, transportation hubs, and more.

Most Populated Cities in Hawaii

Honolulu

Kailua

East Honolulu

Hilo

Pearl City

Waipahu

How Lost & Found Works in Hawaii

Hawaii is one of the few states where lost property is not left to guesswork. The legislature actually wrote down what a finder has to do, how long the police have to hold an item, and what happens if nobody claims it. Chapter 52D of the Hawaii Revised Statutes spells out the duty of finders, and a companion rule in Title 8 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules tells the county police departments exactly how many days to hold something before it can be released or disposed of.

Because the islands run on county government rather than one statewide police force, the department you deal with depends on where you lost the item, the Honolulu Police Department on Oahu, Maui Police, Hawaii Police on the Big Island, or Kauai Police. Add in a huge volume of visitors moving through airports, resorts, beaches, and rental cars, and the practical challenge is less about the law and more about knowing who to call first. ReportLost is an independent service. A free report creates a public listing; paid options add public-web monitoring, and the $25 team-assisted option also includes relevant local outreach. Agencies and venues set their own filing and holding procedures.

What the Law Says in Hawaii

Duty and right of finders, HRS §52D-14

Under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 52D-14, anyone who finds money or property must report or deliver it to the chief of police of the county where it was found. This is a statutory duty, not just a suggestion, and it applies across all four counties.

The 45 day holding period

Once turned in, the property is held by the chief of police for forty five days, or until someone claiming it establishes title or right of custody. Hawaii Administrative Rules section 8-50-3 confirms that if no owner comes forward and establishes a claim, the item is returned to the finder after that forty five day window closes.

Keeping lost or mislaid property can be theft, HRS §708-830

Hawaii's theft statute, section 708-830, makes it a crime to knowingly obtain or exert unauthorized control over property you know to have been lost or mislaid. This is why the state pushes finders toward the police department rather than letting them decide on their own to keep something valuable.

Unclaimed Property Program, HRS Chapter 523A

When property or funds are held by a business, bank, or institution rather than found on the street, Hawaii's separate unclaimed property law takes over. The Department of Budget and Finance administers this program under Chapter 523A, and for smaller unclaimed funds under one hundred dollars, Act 184 requires the claim to be made within ten years of the deposit into the trust fund.

Venue specific rules, HRS §109-8

Hawaii even legislates lost and found at specific venues. Under section 109-8, money or property found at the stadium must be reported or delivered to stadium officials and is held for forty five days, mirroring the general finder statute. It is a reminder that in Hawaii, the rules can vary by the exact location where you lost something.

Where items end up in Hawaii

Losses on Oahu often route through Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, TheBus system, Honolulu rideshares, hotels in Waikiki, or the Honolulu Police Department's found property desk. On Maui, Kahului Airport and resort lost and found offices are common stops, while the Big Island funnels through Ellison Onizuka Kona International or Hilo, and Kauai centers on Lihue Airport. Beaches, tour boats, luaus, and rental car counters across all four islands are frequent places where visitors realize something is missing. The city pages below list local contacts. ReportLost is independent; its free public listing, six-month automatic monitoring and twelve-month team-assisted option are described on the report form.

Lost something in Hawaii?

A free report creates a public listing. The $12 option adds six months of automatic monitoring, a ReportLost certificate, an anonymous case address, and QR stickers. The $25 option adds manual research, direct service contact, report submission, local social sharing, and 12 months of monitoring.

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Hawaii Lost & Found FAQ

Do I get my item back if someone turned it in?

Yes, but you have to establish title or right of custody as HRS §52D-14 requires. In practice this means describing the item with one private detail that was not visible or listed publicly, such as what is stored inside a bag pocket or a specific mark on the item, so the county police department can confirm you are the true owner before releasing it.

Is a reward mandatory in Hawaii?

No. Nothing in Hawaii's finder statute or theft law requires you to pay a reward to get your property back. Offering one is always your choice, and many people do it informally to thank a finder, but it is never a legal condition of recovery.

What happens if nobody claims my lost item within 45 days?

Under Hawaii Administrative Rules section 8-50-3, if no owner establishes a claim within the forty five day holding period set by HRS §52D-14, the property is returned to the person who found it. The holding period begins when the item reaches the police.

Which police department do I contact if I lost something on a different island?

Hawaii does not have one statewide lost and found desk. Oahu losses go through the Honolulu Police Department, Maui through Maui Police, the Big Island through Hawaii Police, and Kauai through Kauai Police. Each county holds and processes found property under the same forty five day rule, but through its own department.

What if I lost something at the airport or on a tour?

Airports, tour operators, and venues like the stadium under HRS §109-8 often keep their own lost and found separate from the county police, at least for the first days after a loss. It is worth checking both the venue and the county police department, since unclaimed items are frequently turned over once the venue's own holding period ends.

This page provides general information about Hawaii law as of publication and is not legal advice. Procedures vary by city and department, verify details with your local authorities. Last reviewed: July 2026.

All Cities We Cover in Hawaii

Each city page lists the local lost & found contacts and how to report a loss there.