Honolulu impaired driving arrests lawsuit is a significant legal action filed in 2025 challenging a pattern of wrongful arrests by the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) for driving under the influence (DUI) despite evidence that many drivers were sober. The class-action lawsuit, brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi (ACLU-HI) and law firm Miyashita & O’Steen, alleges that HPD officers repeatedly arrested individuals without probable cause or due process, often relying on unreliable or non-existent evidence of impairment. The case has drawn public attention to law enforcement practices, police accountability, and the protection of constitutional rights related to freedom and due process on Hawaii’s roads.
Background and Origins of Honolulu Impaired Driving Arrests Lawsuit
Between 2022 and 2024, Honolulu police arrested at least 127 individuals for impaired driving, based on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. However, breathalyzer and blood tests consistently showed these drivers had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.000, indicating sobriety. Despite the scientific evidence, most of these arrests did not lead to charges, with only about 12% resulting in traffic citations and merely a handful in DUI-related charges. These troubling statistics prompted an investigation by ACLU-HI, which uncovered a systemic problem of arrests driven by quotas, incentives, and a culture prioritizing arrest numbers over public safety.
The lawsuit highlights that officers frequently conducted DUI stops at sobriety checkpoints or after minor traffic infractions, targeting drivers who demonstrated no erratic behavior or impairment. Reports indicate that officers followed predetermined scripts, alleging signs such as “watery” or “bloodshot” eyes, slurred speech, or alcohol odor, while bodycam footage and breath test results contradicted these assertions. In some cases, drivers who passed field sobriety tests flawlessly were still arrested. Superiors allegedly encouraged enforcement units by offering benefits like paid early shift dismissal after just a single DUI arrest, fostering incentives misaligned with thorough investigatory standards.
Key Legal Claims and Allegations in Honolulu Impaired Driving Arrests Lawsuit
- Arrests Without Probable Cause: The suit contends HPD officers made numerous DUI arrests without reasonable suspicion or evidence of impairment, violating constitutional protections against unlawful detention.
- Due Process Violations: Plaintiffs argue affected drivers were deprived of their liberty and suffered reputational harm through arrests unsupported by factual grounds and without fair legal processes.
- Policy of Arrest Quotas and Incentives: The lawsuit accuses HPD of fostering a culture prioritizing arrest numbers, with officers receiving rewards that encouraged shortcuts and false arrests to boost DUI statistics.
- Unconstitutional Practices: The pattern of arrests is alleged to violate the Hawaiʻi State Constitution’s guarantees against unreasonable searches, seizures, and protections of freedom of movement.
- Mismanagement and Public Safety Risks: By focusing on arrest quotas instead of genuine impaired driving threats, the suit claims the police department endangered public safety by deterring attention from genuinely dangerous drivers.
Restorative Actions and Honolulu Police Department Response
Following the lawsuit filing in May 2025, HPD initiated a comprehensive review of all impaired driving arrests dating back to 2021. Spokespersons emphasized a commitment to identifying negative patterns and improving training for DUI enforcement officers. The department also opened internal investigations into cases involving the lawsuit’s named plaintiffs. As part of ongoing efforts, a refresher training program on impaired driving enforcement was launched to promote accurate and constitutional policing practices.
In public statements, HPD acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and expressed a dedication to upholding community trust and taking appropriate corrective actions should any misconduct be confirmed. Despite this, the department has not admitted wrongdoing and maintains that its officers strive to protect road safety effectively.
Impact on Plaintiffs and Broader Community
Individuals named in the lawsuit, such as Ammon Fepuleai and Tanner Pangan, have reported profound emotional and reputational harm from wrongful arrests. Fepuleai, for instance, was arrested at a sobriety checkpoint despite a breathalyzer reading of zero and compliant behavior, leading to a license suspension and ongoing personal distress. Pangan, a high school student at the time of his arrest, described being stunned and fearful of police interactions thereafter.
The lawsuit not only seeks relief for specific plaintiffs but intends to represent a larger class of drivers who may have suffered similar unlawful arrests. It aims to restore public confidence in law enforcement and ensure that constitutional rights are respected on Hawaii’s roads, fostering a policing culture aligned with justice, accuracy, and true public protection.
Legal Proceedings and Current Status of Honolulu Impaired Driving Arrests Lawsuit
The class-action lawsuit is proceeding in Hawaiʻi First Circuit Court, with plaintiffs seeking a declaratory judgment that HPD’s impaired driving arrest practices are unconstitutional and unlawful. The suit requests injunctive relief to halt wrongful arrest practices, improve evidentiary standards for DUI enforcement, and mandate reforms in department policies and incentives.
Discovery and investigation continue, alongside internal reviews within the police department. The case is closely monitored by civil rights advocates, legal experts, and community organizations advocating for equitable law enforcement.
Broader Implications and Significance of Honolulu Impaired Driving Arrests Lawsuit
This lawsuit represents a critical test of police accountability, constitutional freedoms, and enforcement practices in addressing impaired driving. It highlights the risks when enforcement priorities become disconnected from factual evidence and public safety, potentially leading to violations of individual rights and eroding trust between communities and law enforcement.
Moreover, the case underscores systemic challenges in balancing effective DUI prevention with safeguarding due process, especially in jurisdictions reliant on federal funding linked to enforcement metrics. It calls attention to how incentive structures within police departments can unintentionally promote counterproductive behaviors, urging policymakers and law enforcement leaders to rethink performance measures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honolulu Impaired Driving Arrests Lawsuit
What is the main issue in the Honolulu impaired driving arrests lawsuit?
The lawsuit challenges a pattern of wrongful DUI arrests made without probable cause or impairment evidence, alleging constitutional violations and police misconduct.
How many people were wrongfully arrested according to the lawsuit?
From 2022 to 2024, at least 127 drivers were arrested despite having a blood alcohol content of 0.000, with most never charged or cited for DUI.
What incentives allegedly influenced police arrest practices?
Officers reportedly received benefits such as being allowed to leave shifts early while still getting paid upon making a DUI arrest, fostering quotas and arrest-focused culture.
What actions has Honolulu Police Department taken in response?
HPD has launched a thorough review of impaired driving arrests dating back to 2021, implemented refresher trainings, and commenced internal investigations into implicated cases.
What remedies are sought by the lawsuit?
Plaintiffs seek judgments declaring the arrests unlawful, injunctions to stop wrongful arrest practices, policy reforms, and protections for drivers’ constitutional rights.
Conclusion
Honolulu impaired driving arrests lawsuit is a landmark case confronting the balance between law enforcement duties and citizens’ constitutional protections against unlawful detention and due process violations. The allegations reveal troubling patterns where pursuit of enforcement metrics has undermined justice and public trust. As litigation and investigations advance, this case may lead to pivotal reforms in police procedures, training, and accountability mechanisms that ensure impaired driving enforcement truly targets public safety threats without compromising individual rights.
The lawsuit reinforces the foundational legal principle that criminal arrests must be supported by probable cause and fair process, reminding law enforcement agencies that their legitimacy depends on respecting constitutional guarantees. For the people of Hawaiʻi, this case offers hope for more transparent, equitable policing while spotlighting ongoing challenges in police reform across the nation.
