Reports & Complaints

**HOW TO REPORT OR SUBMIT A COMPLAINT

TO THE HAWAIʻI HUMANITARIAN COMMISSIONER (HHC)**

The Hawaiʻi Humanitarian Commissioner receives reports and complaints concerning humanitarian harm, unlawful confinement, cultural rights violations, and related matters. The process is non-violent, civilian, and humanitarian in nature.

1. WHO MAY SUBMIT A REPORT OR COMPLAINT

A report or complaint may be submitted by:

The affected individual (complainant);

A family member or ʻohana representative;

A legal advocate or humanitarian representative;

A community or cultural organization;

A concerned third party acting in good faith.

There is no requirement that the complainant be legally represented.

2. MATTERS THAT MAY BE REPORTED

The Hawaiʻi Humanitarian Commissioner may receive reports concerning:

Unlawful or arbitrary detention or confinement;

Prolonged incarceration without humanitarian necessity;

Denial of habeas corpus or effective remedy;

Interference with ʻohana unity or kūpuna care;

Cultural or Indigenous rights violations;

Retaliation for asserting protected status or rights;

Humanitarian harm caused by State action or inaction.

3. REQUIRED INFORMATION (MINIMUM)

To assist review, submissions should include as much of the following as possible:

Name of the affected person(s)

Current location or place of confinement (if applicable)

Description of the situation or harm

Dates and relevant timeline

Names of agencies or officials involved (if known)

Any prior complaints, court actions, or humanitarian requests made

Submissions will not be rejected solely because information is incomplete.

4. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (IF AVAILABLE)

Complainants are encouraged, but not required, to attach:

Court documents, warrants, or judgments;

Medical or humanitarian records;

Affidavits or written statements;

Cultural or family declarations;

Correspondence with authorities.

All documents should be copies only. Do not submit originals.

5. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROTECTION

All reports are handled with confidentiality and care.

Personal information is protected to the extent possible.

Retaliation against complainants or their families is strictly discouraged and may itself constitute a humanitarian concern.

Anonymous reports may be accepted where safety concerns exist.

6. HOW TO SUBMIT

Reports or complaints may be submitted by:

Written submission (letter or statement);

Electronic submission (PDF or text);

Through a designated community or elders-based body, including the Hawaiʻi Kupuna Council.

Each submission should clearly state:
“Humanitarian Report / Complaint – Hawaiʻi Humanitarian Commissioner.”

7. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SUBMISSION

Upon receipt, the Hawaiʻi Humanitarian Commissioner may:

Acknowledge receipt of the submission;

Conduct a humanitarian review of the information provided;

Request additional information if necessary;

Issue humanitarian findings, recommendations, or directives;

Engage relevant authorities in good faith;

Where appropriate, document the matter for international humanitarian mechanisms.

The Commissioner does not act as a court, but as a humanitarian protection and reporting authority.

8. IMPORTANT LIMITATIONS

The HHC does not impose criminal penalties or replace courts;

The HHC operates through humanitarian assessment, advocacy, and reporting;

Submitting a complaint does not waive any legal rights.

9. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The reporting process exists to:

prevent further humanitarian harm,

protect dignity and cultural integrity,

encourage lawful and humane conduct,

and ensure that voices of affected persons are heard.

All submissions are received in the spirit of humanity, respect, and aloha.