The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and the
Motor Vehicle Control Branch, Customer Services
Department, will remove or cause to be removed
an abandoned vehicle from a street, highway,
or pedestrian mall to a storage area or other
place of public safety (Section 15 13.9, Revised
Ordinances of Honolulu [ROH] 2021).
DEFINITION

Section 15 13.8, ROH 2021, defines an abandoned
vehicle as any vehicle left unattended for more than 24 hours.

PROCEDURES

A. Communications Division

When an abandoned vehicle complaint is received,
a beat officer shall be assigned to conduct an
appropriate investigation.

B. Field Units

1. When an officer is assigned to investigate
or observes a vehicle that may be abandoned, the
officer shall check that it is not a stolen vehicle,
a traffic hazard, an illegally parked vehicle, or
a vehicle involved in any unusual or suspicious circumstances.

2. If the officer finds any of the above
circumstances, the officer shall take the appropriate action.

3. If the vehicle appears to be abandoned,
the officer shall initiate an abandoned vehicle
check by marking one of the vehicle’s tires and
noting the date and time of the marking on that tire with a yellow crayon.

4. If the vehicle remains at the same location
for more than 24 hours after the initial check, the officer shall:

a. Cite the vehicle under Section 15-13.8, ROH 2021; and

b. Complete an Abandoned Vehicles form via
the HPD intranet. Refer to the attachment for instructions.

DISPOSAL OF VEHICLES AT OWNER’S REQUEST

Citizens desiring disposal of their vehicles
shall be referred to the Motor Vehicle Control
Section, Department of Customer Services.