People making discriminatory calls to police can now face civil penalties under new Hawaiʻi law

A new Hawaiʻi law aimed at stopping discriminatory or false reporting to law enforcement based on a person’s race, gender identity or other protected characteristics went into effect on Monday.

Act 259 was signed by Gov. Josh Green on July 1. It provides civil remedies for people who are harmed by such discrimination.

Under the new law, anyone who intentionally calls the police on another person with the purpose of harassing, humiliating or violating their rights based on a protected class can be held legally responsible.

Victims can sue in civil court and if they win they are entitled to at least $1,000 in damages, plus attorneys’ fees, court costs and possible punitive damages.

“This legislation is about upholding the fundamental rights and dignity of all people rooted in Hawaiʻi’s foundational values,” said Marcus L. Kawatachi, executive director of the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, in a statement. “Discriminatory reporting is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences for individuals and communities.”

Protected classes under the law include: race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression

The Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission and the state Department of Law Enforcement urge residents to educate themselves about the new law and to understand that emergency services should never be weaponized for discriminatory purposes.

For more information about Act 259, visit labor.hawaii.gov/hcrc/publications and DLE’s website at law.hawaii.gov/resources/act-259-2025-relating-to-discrimination/.