The Honolulu Police Department is facing scrutiny after a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii. The lawsuit claims that police are arresting sober drivers in a push to increase DUI arrests. This has raised serious concerns about the department’s practices and the potential for wrongful arrests.
According to the lawsuit, many drivers have been arrested despite showing no signs of impairment. These individuals often pass field sobriety tests and register a blood-alcohol content of 0.000 on breath tests. The ACLU argues that the department’s focus on making DUI arrests is leading to questionable practices, including arrests without probable cause.
The ACLU’s attorney, Jeremy O’Steen, highlighted the impact on individuals who were wrongly arrested. He stated that these innocent people faced lasting damage to their records and reputations, and he called for an end to such arrests. The lawsuit seeks to declare the police department’s practices unconstitutional but does not ask for monetary damages.
In response to the allegations, the Honolulu Police Department has committed to reviewing all impaired driving arrests dating back to 2021. They stated that they take the claims seriously and will investigate the cases of the three plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit. The department emphasized its dedication to maintaining public trust and will take action if any misconduct is found.
The ACLU noted that the issue came to light thanks to an investigation by Hawaii News Now reporter Lynn Kawano. The lawsuit represents not just the three plaintiffs, but potentially hundreds of other drivers who have faced similar situations.
From 2022 to 2024, the police arrested 127 individuals who had a blood-alcohol level of 0.000. Only a small number received traffic tickets, and even fewer were charged with drug-related DUI offenses. The lawsuit claims that police often stop drivers without any clear reason, either at sobriety checkpoints or for minor infractions.
One plaintiff, Tanner Pangan, shared his experience of being pulled over after his truck fishtailed on a wet road. He was shocked to be accused of drinking and driving, as he does not consume alcohol or drugs. This was his first experience with law enforcement, and it left a lasting impression on him.
The ACLU is also concerned about the possibility of arrest quotas, noting a pattern of increased arrests at the end of the month. For example, on August 31, 2024, three drivers were arrested at the same location within a short time frame, all registering a breath test of 0.000.
As the department reviews its practices, many are watching closely to see if changes will be made to prevent wrongful arrests in the future. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for how DUI enforcement is handled in Honolulu.