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HRS §710-1026

What counts as resisting arrest and the penalty

This law says a person commits resisting arrest if they intentionally stop a police officer from making an arrest by using or threatening force, or by doing something that could seriously hurt the officer or someone else. Resisting arrest is a misdemeanor.

everyone

The statute, as written — Resisting arrest

(1) A person commits the offense of resisting arrest if the person intentionally prevents a law enforcement officer acting under color of the law enforcement officer's official authority from effecting an arrest by: (a) Using or threatening to use physical force against the law enforcement officer or another; or (b) Using any other means creating a substantial risk of causing bodily injury to the law enforcement officer or another. (2) Resisting arrest is a misdemeanor.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.