DWI (Driving While Impaired) Court
A DWI Court graduate is congratulated during his final hearing.
The Honolulu Driving While Impaired (DWI) Court is a court-supervised treatment program that helps individuals charged with impaired driving take responsibility, achieve sobriety, and rebuild their lives. Established in 2013 in response to rising fatal crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, the DWI Court combines accountability with compassion, offering participants a structured path toward recovery while enhancing public safety on Hawaiʻi’s roads.
Goals and Benefits
The goals of DWI Court are to reduce the number of repeat offenses, support long-term recovery, and improve community safety. Participants benefit from coordinated access to treatment, counseling, monitoring, and supportive services that address the root causes of impaired driving. For the community, the program reduces recidivism, saves taxpayer dollars that would otherwise go toward arrest and incarceration, and promotes safer roadways for everyone.
As of October 2025, the Honolulu DWI Court had celebrated close to 97 graduates.
Program Overview
Participation in DWI Court is voluntary and available to non-violent offenders who plead guilty or no contest and are accepted following a screening process. Each participant’s sentence is stayed pending compliance and successful completion of the program, which lasts a minimum of one year.
DWI Court participants are guided by a dedicated case manager and take part in an individualized treatment plan that may include:
- Regular court appearances before a designated DWI Court judge
- Frequent case management meetings
- Electronic alcohol monitoring and drug testing
- Individual and group counseling sessions
- Regular attendance at self-help meetings
- Support services addressing education, employment, housing, and other personal goals
These coordinated interventions help participants achieve lasting recovery, rebuild family and community relationships, and establish healthy, productive lifestyles.
Impact on the Community
Research shows that DWI Courts are among the most effective ways to reduce repeat offenses among impaired drivers. By combining treatment, accountability, and close judicial oversight, the Honolulu DWI Court helps prevent future tragedies, promotes responsible choices, and contributes to a safer community for all.
How to Apply or Learn More
Entry into the Honolulu DWI Court Program is voluntary. To apply, please complete and submit a petition to the DWI Court Coordinator at:
Honolulu DWI Court
1111 Alakea Street, 11th Floor
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813
Chavez Canite, a 2025 DWI Court graduate, described the program as a turning point: “If I didn’t choose DWI Court, I wouldn’t have taken accountability for my issues. I was forced to face sobriety and learn that the choices that I made were a problem.”
Other Related Links
- Honolulu DWI Court Highlighted in New PSA 09-11-2024
- DWI Court Participant Photo Places 3rd in National Art Contest 10-11-2022
- DWI Court Supports Participants through Their Toughest Times 10-11-2022
- Family Reunites as Graduates Complete DWI Court Program 06-30-2021
- A First: Virtual DWI Court Graduation 10-30-2020
- DWI Court Celebrates Success of Two New Graduates 05-11-2018
- DWI Court Celebrates Two More Graduates 08-03-2016
- Increasing Public Safety, Saving Lives 06-23-2016
- The Power of Choice – DWI Court 04-26-2016
- More Graduates from DWI Court, 04-07-2016
- DWI Court Celebrates 22 Graduates, 03-01-2016
- DWI Court Celebrates its 20th Graduate, 01-08-2016
- DWI Court Celebrates Its 18th and 19th Graduates, 11-20-2015
- DWI Court: 17 Successful Graduates and Counting, 10-23-2015
- DWI Court Graduate, 07-27-2015
- DWI Court Program Helps Graduates Find New Sense of Self and Life, 06-25-2015
- Honolulu’s DWI Court Program Receives National Award for Public Service, 03-18-2015
- DWI Court Graduates, 02-23-2015
- DWI Court Celebrates First Graduate, 03-06-2014