2023: OIP Averages 872 Days to Decide Appeals, The Highest Delay Since We Started Reporting in 2017 (February 2024)

The data proves that OIP’s priorities are the problem, not lack of funding or COVID impacts.

• Data File

2022: Despite Fewer Disputes Since 2020, OIP Opinions Still Take More than 3 Years (February 2023)

When lawsuits are faster, OIP is no longer serving the role that the Legislature intended for OIP to be an “expeditious” place to resolve disputes about public records and open meetings.

• Data File

Agency Lists

Ever wonder which government agencies consistently deny all access to their records or which agencies take longer on average to answer record requests.  These lists provide some information based on agency reported data.

• FY 2022 Lists / Data File
• FY 2021 Lists / Data File
• FY 2020 Lists / Data File
• FY 2019 Lists / Data File
• FY 2018 Lists / Data File
• FY 2017 Lists / Data File
• FY 2016 Lists / Data File

2021:  Over 2 Years Behind, OIP Resolved the Fewest Matters in 20 Years (Half the Prior Record Low) (February 2022)

Consistent with its staffing challenges and refusal to prioritize resolving disputes, OIP issued only 4 decisions in 2021.

• Data File

2020:  OIP Backlog Drops Slightly After Fewest New Filings in Nearly 20 Years (January 2021)

As a follow-up to the Law Center’s more detailed reports concerning delays at the Office of Information Practices, we provide statistics for 2020.

• Data File

Success:  Preliminary Inclinations at OIP Make a Difference

 In 2019, the Legislature asked the Office of Information Practices to experiment with its appeals process. 

As illustrated in the Law Center’s analysis, that experiment showed marked success in resolving disputes and highlighted areas for continued experimentation to improve delays at OIP.

• Preliminary Inclination Files
• OIP Report on Experiment

2019:  OIP Holds Backlog Steady as New Filings Increase (February 2020)

As a follow-up to the Law Center’s more detailed reports concerning delays at the Office of Information Practices, we provide statistics for 2019.  Decisions are still taking 2-3 years.

• Data File

2018:  OIP’s Backlog Drops as New Filings Drop (February 2019)

As a follow-up to the Law Center’s more detailed reports concerning delays at the Office of Information Practices, we provide statistics for 2018.  Decisions are still taking more than 2-3 years.

• Data File

A National Comparison:  Delays at OIP Are Staggering (February 2018)

This report follows up on our 2017 Report and finds again that the Office of Information Practices is not providing the “expeditious” forum for public access disputes that the Legislature intended.  We also explore comparisons to other states that have similar agencies to OIP.

• Data File
• Infographic
• Response from OIP
• Response from OIP

Breaking Down Hawaii’s Broken System for Resolving Public Access Disputes (February 2017)

This report provides recommendations to achieve the Hawaii State Legislature’s goal that the Office of Information Practices would be a place where the public can resolve public access disputes “within a reasonable amount of time.”

• Data File
• Response from OIP
• OIP Internal Management of Cases (8/1/12)