The drunk driving law in the State of Hawaii prohibits driving when the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of the driver is .08 percent or above. The .08 percentage level is the standard measurement used across the United States. The law includes driving on the road as well as in the air or on the water. The State of Hawaii also has stricter laws in place for the "Highly Intoxicated Driver". To get classified as a highly intoxicated driver you BAC would need to be .15 percent or above.

How many drinks does it take to reach the legal limit in Hawaii?

Reaching the intoxicated or highly intoxicated driver BAC limits are difficult to estimate. Factors such as weight, body-fat percentage, sex and the time interval between drinks all play a role in blood alcohol concentration levels. Some studies have shown that your BAC could rise as much as .05 percent for each drink taken. Given that number, it takes very little alcohol to become legally "intoxicated" in Hawaii or any other state.

The best answer is not to drink and drive . The State of Hawaii has strict laws for drunk driving, and when you drink and drive in Hawaii, you risk your freedom, finances and your future.

Drunk Driving Laws in Hawaii

State of Hawaii BAC Laws:

All drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher.
Under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher.
Commercial Vehicle Driver with a BAC of .04 or higher.

The first time your are convicted of drunk driving in Hawaii you will receive a drivers license suspension from 90 days to 1 year. If you are a highly intoxicated driver with a BAC of .15 or above, your drivers license will be suspended for 6 months up to 1 year. You will also receive from 48 hours to 5 days in jail and a fine between $150-$1,000. You may receive 72 hours of community service instead of a fine or jail if the court deems this appropriate. You must also participate in a 14 hour (Minimum) substance abuse program that provides education and counseling for convicted drunk drivers.

The second DUI conviction in the State of Hawaii will give you a drivers license suspension for a period of 1 year (minimum) up to 2 years. You will receive either 240 hours of community service or you will serve from 5-14 days in jail and a fine ranging from $500-$1,500. You must also participate in a 14 hour (Minimum) substance abuse program that provides education and counseling for convicted drunk drivers. You may also receive 240 hours of community service.

For a third DUI conviction in Hawaii you will receive a drivers license suspension from a minimum of 1 to 5 years. In addition to this you will receive a fine from $500-$2500 and from 10 days (Minimum) to 30 days in jail. The vehicle of the driver may be forfeited to the state if the court wishes. If a person under the age of 15 years at the time of the offense, then the driver will pay an additional $500 per person and a extra 48 hours (minimum) in Jail.

Your fourth drunk driving offense in Hawaii is a Class "C" Felony and you will be know as a "Habitual" offender. The possibilities are 5 years in prison, probation for 5 years with a mandatory revocation of license for no less than 1 year, 10 days in jail and a referral to substance abuse counseling.

You will also be sent to a drivers education program by a certified substance abuse counselor, of the offender's substance abuse or dependence and the need for appropriate treatment. The counselor shall submit a report with recommendations to the court. The court shall require the offender to obtain appropriate treatment. The counselor shall submit a report with recommendations to the court. All costs will be charged to the felon.

The Implied Consent Law in the State of Hawaii

The State of Hawaii has what is called an "Implied Consent Law". The implied consent law means that any driver that operates a motor vehicle in Hawaii on the road or in the water, is deemed to have given consent to have their Blood, Breath, Urine to determine the level of alcohol or drugs in the drivers system. These tests would be done at the request of a law enforcement officer. In Hawaii however you may decline to submit to a chemical test.

State of Hawaii Website - More DUI Information

Other Hawaii Information on This Website

State of Hawaii Teen Driving Laws and Insurance Requirements

DUI Laws in Hawaii

Hawaii Drunk Driving Fines & Penalties

1st Hawaii DUI Offense

First Drunk Driving Conviction

Jail – 48 Hours to 5 Days and / or, Jail – 48 Additional Hours (If Child Under 15 in Vehicle)

Fine – From $150 to $1,000 Fine – Additional $500 if Child Under 15 was in the Vehicle

License Suspension – 90 Day Prompt Suspension (May Be Allowed to Drive) or, License Suspension – 30 Day Prompt Suspension (Driving Limited to Court Approval) BAC Above .15 – 6 Month License Suspension (Absolute Prohibition on Driving)

Special Trauma Fund Surcharge - $25-$50 Community Service – 72 Hours Complete Court Ordered Substance Abuse or Education Program

2nd Hawaii DUI Offense

Second Drunk Driving Conviction (Within 5 Years of Previous)

Jail – 5 to 14 Days Possible  Jail – 48 Additional Hours (If Child Under 15 in Vehicle)

Fine – From $500 to $1,500 Fine – Additional $500 if Child Under 15 was in the Vehicle

License Suspension - Prompt Suspension of 1 Year

Special Fund Surcharge - $50-$75 Community Service – 240 Hours Minimum Complete Court Ordered Substance Abuse or Education Program

3rd Hawaii DUI Offense

Third Drunk Driving Conviction (Within 5 Years of Previous 2)

Jail – 10 to 30 Days Possible Jail – 48 Additional Hours (If Child Under 15 in Vehicle)

Fine – From $500 to $2,500 Fine – Additional $500 if Child Under 15 was in the Vehicle

License Suspension – From 1 to 5 Years Vehicle Forfeiture Under Chapter 72A

Special Fund Surcharge - $50 Community Service – 240 Hours Minimum Complete Court Ordered Substance Abuse or Education Program

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Drinking and Driving Laws in Hawaii

State of Hawaii BAC Laws:

All drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher. Under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher. Commercial Vehicle Driver with a BAC of .04 or higher.

The Implied Consent Law in the State of Hawaii

Other Hawaii Information on This Website

Jail – 48 Hours to 5 Days and / or,
Jail – 48 Additional Hours (If Child Under 15 in Vehicle)

Fine – From $150 to $1,000
Fine – Additional $500 if Child Under 15 was in the Vehicle

License Suspension – 90 Day Prompt Suspension (May Be Allowed to Drive) or,
License Suspension – 30 Day Prompt Suspension (Driving Limited to Court Approval)
BAC Above .15 – 6 Month License Suspension (Absolute Prohibition on Driving)

Special Trauma Fund Surcharge - $25-$50
Community Service – 72 Hours
Complete Court Ordered Substance Abuse or Education Program

Jail – 5 to 14 Days Possible

Jail – 48 Additional Hours (If Child Under 15 in Vehicle)

Fine – From $500 to $1,500
Fine – Additional $500 if Child Under 15 was in the Vehicle

Special Fund Surcharge - $50-$75
Community Service – 240 Hours Minimum
Complete Court Ordered Substance Abuse or Education Program

Jail – 10 to 30 Days Possible
Jail – 48 Additional Hours (If Child Under 15 in Vehicle)

Fine – From $500 to $2,500
Fine – Additional $500 if Child Under 15 was in the Vehicle

License Suspension – From 1 to 5 Years
Vehicle Forfeiture Under Chapter 72A

Special Fund Surcharge - $50
Community Service – 240 Hours Minimum
Complete Court Ordered Substance Abuse or Education Program

All drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher.
Under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher.
Commercial Vehicle Driver with a BAC of .04 or higher.