{ "batch": "6651-hawaii-obscenity-and-distribution", "articles": [ { "id": "learn_r6651_hawaii_obscenity_and_distribution_hawaii_chapter712_anchor", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii: statutory code index", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii's statutes are published on the official Hawaii Revised Statutes site at data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/ under Chapter 712 titled \"OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS\" listing obscenity-related provisions.", "body": "Hawaii's statutes are published on the official Hawaii Revised Statutes site at data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/ under Chapter 712 titled \"OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS\" listing obscenity-related provisions.\n\nWhat Hawaii State Legislature actually says:\n\n“CHAPTER 712\n\n**CHAPTER 712**\n\n**OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS**”\n\nNote: Anchor record. The page shows the chapter heading and confirms this is Hawaii's official statutes.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/", "last_verified": "2026-10-16", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Hawaii State Legislature", "evidence_quote": "CHAPTER 712\n\n**CHAPTER 712**\n\n**OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS**", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "6651-hawaii-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Hawaii", "topic": "statutory code index", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "setting_up", "region": [ "us-hi" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "access.signup" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap", "deferred_state_uncorroborated:us-hi" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r6651_hawaii_obscenity_and_distribution_hawaii_obscenity_definition_712_1210", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii: rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii's obscenity definition is in Section 712-1210, which defines 'pornographic' as material where (a) the average person applying contemporary community standards would find it appeals to the prurient interest, (b) it depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and (c) taken as a whole it lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific merit.", "body": "Hawaii's obscenity definition is in Section 712-1210, which defines 'pornographic' as material where (a) the average person applying contemporary community standards would find it appeals to the prurient interest, (b) it depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and (c) taken as a whole it lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific merit.\n\nWhat Hawaii State Legislature actually says:\n\n“\"Pornographic\". Any material or performance is \"pornographic\" if all of the following coalesce: (a) The average person, applying contemporary community standards would find that, taken as a whole, it appeals to the prurient interest. (b) It depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way. (c) Taken as a whole, it lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific merit.”\n\nNote: Under Chapter 712 Part II - Offenses Related to Obscenity.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/HRS_0712-1210.htm", "last_verified": "2026-10-16", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Hawaii State Legislature", "evidence_quote": "\"Pornographic\". Any material or performance is \"pornographic\" if all of the following coalesce: (a) The average person, applying contemporary community standards would find that, taken as a whole, it appeals to the prurient interest. (b) It depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way. (c) Taken as a whole, it lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific merit.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "6651-hawaii-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Hawaii", "topic": "rules.content", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-hi" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap", "deferred_state_uncorroborated:us-hi" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r6651_hawaii_obscenity_and_distribution_hawaii_disseminate_definition_712_1210", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii: rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii's Section 712-1210 defines 'disseminate' as to manufacture, issue, publish, sell, lend, distribute, transmit, exhibit, or present material or to offer or agree to do the same.", "body": "Hawaii's Section 712-1210 defines 'disseminate' as to manufacture, issue, publish, sell, lend, distribute, transmit, exhibit, or present material or to offer or agree to do the same.\n\nWhat Hawaii State Legislature actually says:\n\n“\"Disseminate\" means to manufacture, issue, publish, sell, lend, distribute, transmit, exhibit, or present material or to offer or agree to do the same.”\n\nNote: Under Chapter 712 Part II - Offenses Related to Obscenity. Covers online distribution including sales.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/HRS_0712-1210.htm", "last_verified": "2026-10-16", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Hawaii State Legislature", "evidence_quote": "\"Disseminate\" means to manufacture, issue, publish, sell, lend, distribute, transmit, exhibit, or present material or to offer or agree to do the same.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "6651-hawaii-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Hawaii", "topic": "rules.content", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-hi" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap", "deferred_state_uncorroborated:us-hi" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r6651_hawaii_obscenity_and_distribution_hawaii_minor_definition_712_1210", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii: access.id", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii's Section 712-1210 defines 'minor' as any person less than sixteen years old for obscenity-related offenses.", "body": "Hawaii's Section 712-1210 defines 'minor' as any person less than sixteen years old for obscenity-related offenses.\n\nWhat Hawaii State Legislature actually says:\n\n“\"Minor\" means any person less than sixteen years old.”\n\nNote: Age of majority for obscenity distribution to minors is 16 in Hawaii.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/HRS_0712-1210.htm", "last_verified": "2026-10-16", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Hawaii State Legislature", "evidence_quote": "\"Minor\" means any person less than sixteen years old.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "6651-hawaii-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Hawaii", "topic": "access.id", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-hi" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "access.id" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap", "deferred_state_uncorroborated:us-hi" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r6651_hawaii_obscenity_and_distribution_hawaii_distribute_obscene_712_1214", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii: rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii's Section 712-1214 creates the offense of promoting pornography: a person commits it if knowing the content and character, the person disseminates for monetary consideration any pornographic material.", "body": "Hawaii's Section 712-1214 creates the offense of promoting pornography: a person commits it if knowing the content and character, the person disseminates for monetary consideration any pornographic material.\n\nWhat Hawaii State Legislature actually says:\n\n“A person commits the offense of promoting pornography if, knowing its content and character, the person: (a) Disseminates for monetary consideration any pornographic material;”\n\nNote: Covers distribution or sale of obscene material for monetary consideration.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/HRS_0712-1214.htm", "last_verified": "2026-10-16", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Hawaii State Legislature", "evidence_quote": "A person commits the offense of promoting pornography if, knowing its content and character, the person: (a) Disseminates for monetary consideration any pornographic material;", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "6651-hawaii-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Hawaii", "topic": "rules.content", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-hi" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "money.fees" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap", "deferred_state_uncorroborated:us-hi" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r6651_hawaii_obscenity_and_distribution_hawaii_penalty_promoting_porn_712_1214", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii: rules.enforcement", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii's Section 712-1214 states that promoting pornography is a misdemeanor.", "body": "Hawaii's Section 712-1214 states that promoting pornography is a misdemeanor.\n\nWhat Hawaii State Legislature actually says:\n\n“Promoting pornography is a misdemeanor.”\n\nNote: Penalty for obscene distribution offense.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/HRS_0712-1214.htm", "last_verified": "2026-10-16", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Hawaii State Legislature", "evidence_quote": "Promoting pornography is a misdemeanor.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "6651-hawaii-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Hawaii", "topic": "rules.enforcement", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "trouble", "region": [ "us-hi" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.enforcement" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap", "deferred_state_uncorroborated:us-hi" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r6651_hawaii_obscenity_and_distribution_hawaii_harmful_to_minors_712_1215", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii: rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii's Section 712-1215 creates the offense of promoting pornography for minors if a person knowingly disseminates to a minor material that is pornographic for minors, or exhibits a pornographic performance to a minor, or sells admission to such performance to a minor.", "body": "Hawaii's Section 712-1215 creates the offense of promoting pornography for minors if a person knowingly disseminates to a minor material that is pornographic for minors, or exhibits a pornographic performance to a minor, or sells admission to such performance to a minor.\n\nWhat Hawaii State Legislature actually says:\n\n“A person commits the offense of promoting pornography for minors if: (a) Knowing its character and content, the person disseminates to a minor material that is pornographic for minors; (b) Knowing its character and content, the person disseminates material that is pornographic for minors to a law enforcement officer who represents that officer's self as a minor; or (c) Knowing the character and content of a motion picture film or other performance that, in whole or in part, is pornographic for minors, the person: (i) Exhibits the motion picture film or other performance to a minor; (ii) Sells to a minor an admission ticket or pass to premises where there is exhibited or to be exhibited the motion picture film or other performance; or (iii) Admits a minor to premises where there is exhibited or to be exhibited the motion picture film or other performance.”\n\nNote: Under Chapter 712 Part II - Offenses Related to Obscenity.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/HRS_0712-1215.htm", "last_verified": "2026-10-16", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Hawaii State Legislature", "evidence_quote": "A person commits the offense of promoting pornography for minors if: (a) Knowing its character and content, the person disseminates to a minor material that is pornographic for minors; (b) Knowing its character and content, the person disseminates material that is pornographic for minors to a law enforcement officer who represents that officer's self as a minor; or (c) Knowing the character and content of a motion picture film or other performance that, in whole or in part, is pornographic for minors, the person: (i) Exhibits the motion picture film or other performance to a minor; (ii) Sells to a minor an admission ticket or pass to premises where there is exhibited or to be exhibited the motion picture film or other performance; or (iii) Admits a minor to premises where there is exhibited or to be exhibited the motion picture film or other performance.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "6651-hawaii-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Hawaii", "topic": "rules.content", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-hi" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.harm" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap", "deferred_state_uncorroborated:us-hi" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r6651_hawaii_obscenity_and_distribution_hawaii_pornographic_for_minors_definition_712_1210", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii: rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii's Section 712-1210 defines 'pornographic for minors' as material primarily devoted to explicit and detailed narrative accounts of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, or sadomasochistic abuse that appeals to the prurient interest and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.", "body": "Hawaii's Section 712-1210 defines 'pornographic for minors' as material primarily devoted to explicit and detailed narrative accounts of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, or sadomasochistic abuse that appeals to the prurient interest and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.\n\nWhat Hawaii State Legislature actually says:\n\n“\"Pornographic for minors\". Any material or performance is \"pornographic for minors\" if: (1) It is primarily devoted to explicit and detailed narrative accounts of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, or sadomasochistic abuse; and: (a) It is presented in such a manner that the average person applying contemporary community standards, would find that, taken as a whole, it appeals to the prurient interest; and (b) Taken as a whole, it lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value; or (2) It contains any photograph, drawing, or similar visual representation of any person of the age of puberty or older revealing such person with less than a fully opaque covering of his or her genitals and pubic area, or depicting such person in a state of sexual excitement or engaged in acts of sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse; and: (a) It is presented in such a manner that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that, taken as a whole, it appeals to the prurient interest; and (b) Taken as a whole, it lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.”\n\nNote: Definition of harmful-to-minors for obscenity purposes.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/HRS_0712-1210.htm", "last_verified": "2026-10-16", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Hawaii State Legislature", "evidence_quote": "\"Pornographic for minors\". Any material or performance is \"pornographic for minors\" if: (1) It is primarily devoted to explicit and detailed narrative accounts of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, or sadomasochistic abuse; and: (a) It is presented in such a manner that the average person applying contemporary community standards, would find that, taken as a whole, it appeals to the prurient interest; and (b) Taken as a whole, it lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value; or (2) It contains any photograph, drawing, or similar visual representation of any person of the age of puberty or older revealing such person with less than a fully opaque covering of his or her genitals and pubic area, or depicting such person in a state of sexual excitement or engaged in acts of sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse; and: (a) It is presented in such a manner that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that, taken as a whole, it appeals to the prurient interest; and (b) Taken as a whole, it lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "6651-hawaii-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Hawaii", "topic": "rules.content", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-hi" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap", "deferred_state_uncorroborated:us-hi" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r6651_hawaii_obscenity_and_distribution_hawaii_penalty_minors_712_1215", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii: rules.enforcement", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii's Section 712-1215 states that promoting pornography for minors is a class C felony.", "body": "Hawaii's Section 712-1215 states that promoting pornography for minors is a class C felony.\n\nWhat Hawaii State Legislature actually says:\n\n“Promoting pornography for minors is a class C felony.”\n\nNote: Penalty for harmful-to-minors distribution offense.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/HRS_0712-1215.htm", "last_verified": "2026-10-16", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Hawaii State Legislature", "evidence_quote": "Promoting pornography for minors is a class C felony.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "6651-hawaii-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Hawaii", "topic": "rules.enforcement", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "trouble", "region": [ "us-hi" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.enforcement" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap", "deferred_state_uncorroborated:us-hi" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r6651_hawaii_obscenity_and_distribution_hawaii_commercial_distribute_knowledge_712_1214", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii: rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii's Section 712-1214 requires that to disseminate obscene material for monetary consideration, the person must act knowing its content and character, indicating the statute reaches online sales to adults who are at least eighteen.", "body": "Hawaii's Section 712-1214 requires that to disseminate obscene material for monetary consideration, the person must act knowing its content and character, indicating the statute reaches online sales to adults who are at least eighteen.\n\nWhat Hawaii State Legislature actually says:\n\n“A person commits the offense of promoting pornography if, knowing its content and character, the person: (a) Disseminates for monetary consideration any pornographic material;”\n\nNote: The statute prohibits distribution for monetary consideration with knowledge of content. Does not distinguish online vs. physical sales or adult vs. minor recipients for the basic offense.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/HRS_0712-1214.htm", "last_verified": "2026-10-16", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Hawaii State Legislature", "evidence_quote": "A person commits the offense of promoting pornography if, knowing its content and character, the person: (a) Disseminates for monetary consideration any pornographic material;", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "6651-hawaii-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Hawaii", "topic": "rules.content", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-hi" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "money.fees" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap", "deferred_state_uncorroborated:us-hi" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r6651_hawaii_obscenity_and_distribution_hawaii_display_indecent_matter_712_1211", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii: rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Hawaii's Section 712-1211 creates the offense of displaying indecent matter on any sign, billboard, or other object visible from any street, highway, or public sidewalk.", "body": "Hawaii's Section 712-1211 creates the offense of displaying indecent matter on any sign, billboard, or other object visible from any street, highway, or public sidewalk.\n\nWhat Hawaii State Legislature actually says:\n\n“A person commits the offense of displaying indecent matter if the person knowingly or recklessly displays on any sign, billboard, or other object visible from any street, highway, or public sidewalk, a photograph, drawing, sculpture, or similar visual representation of any person of the age of puberty or older:”\n\nNote: Separate offense for public display of indecent matter. Not specifically online-related.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0712/HRS_0712-1211.htm", "last_verified": "2026-10-16", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Hawaii State Legislature", "evidence_quote": "A person commits the offense of displaying indecent matter if the person knowingly or recklessly displays on any sign, billboard, or other object visible from any street, highway, or public sidewalk, a photograph, drawing, sculpture, or similar visual representation of any person of the age of puberty or older:", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "6651-hawaii-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Hawaii", "topic": "rules.content", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-hi" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap", "deferred_state_uncorroborated:us-hi" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } } ] }