Hawaii

All department communications are on the City & County of Honolulu 800 MHz radio system. Here is some history regarding patrol communications:

Until 1996, the department used 8 VHF radio frequencies, one for each district.

The city began installing the 800 MHz radio system in 1996. HPD began simulcasting communications on both the VHF and 800 MHz radio system about mid-1996.

On June 1, 1997, the department ended its VHF/800 MHz simulcast and switched all patrol communications to "analog patrol" on the 800 MHz system. At that time, officers were using Ericsson M-RK II portable radios.

Later in 1998, the department briefly switched patrol communications to AEGIS digital, only to encounter major communications difficulties. They switched back to analog patrol.

In 2001, the radio system was upgraded from AEGIS digital to ProVoice digital format. The M-RK series radio did not support the ProVoice format; the department switched to newer radios, the Jaguar 700P. The radios and latest digital mode was successfully tested during the Asian Development Bank conference in 2001.

In November 2001, additional frequencies were added to all radio sites.

On April 9, 2002, the department ended 800 MHz analog patrol operations and switched all patrol communications to "digital patrol".

Hawaii Police Department

Hawaii Police uses a 10-channel conventional VHF radio system. In early 2004, the county unveiled plans to construct a countywide P25 trunked radio system by 2011.

Kauai Police Department

All emergency services used VHF radio frequencies before switching over to the Kauai 800 MHz Motorola Smart Net trunked radio system in 1997.

Maui Police Department

In Summer 2001, most county agencies, which include police, fire, lifeguards, animal control, and public works, have switched operations to the 800 MHz LTR Multi-Net II trunked radio system.

A P25 CAI digital radio system is being built and is expected to be online sometime in late 2008 into 2009. Civil Defense and Public Works will join the system first, followed by Police, Fire, and Ambulance.

Information found on Internet and supplied by Terry Osborn, June 2009