Could media access to HPD police scanners be restored?

HONOLULU (KHON2) — A bill that would provide media access to Honolulu police scanners is heading back to the Committee for further discussion.

The Honolulu City Council passed the bill to its second reading on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

HPD made the change to encrypted scanners in 2022, after making scanners accessible to the public for more than 30 years.

Officials said the change helped protect personal information and follows federal rules.

Media outlets, however, said the change makes it harder to keep the public informed during emergencies.

KHON2 General Manager, Kristina Lockwood, testified at the reading, stating there’s a lot of opportunity to provide more transparency to the public.

It would be a benefit to HPD because it provides mroe trust between the public and police department. We are not trying to cause harm. We are only trying to help and do our job. We really need your help to make that happen.

Kristina Lockwood, KHON2 General Manager

If passed, the measure would restore access to scanners, as long as media outlets have a written agreement with the police chief.