An alleged game room on Hoaha Street went dark Friday, May 12, after Honolulu police swept in around 3 p.m., hauling off rows of slot style machines and what they say were signs of drug activity. Officers removed 23 gaming machines and seized suspected narcotics and cash, according to police, and a 40 year old man was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant for promoting gambling in the second degree. The arrest was made without incident, and HPD says the hit is part of a wider push to undercut underground gambling and related crime on Oʻahu.
HPD Details the May 12 Raid
In a post on X, the Honolulu Police Department said the Narcotics/Vice Division’s Gambling Detail, with assistance from the Specialized Services Division and the Major Events Division, executed a search warrant at the Hoaha Street location and booked 23 illegal gambling machines, illegal drugs and cash into evidence, according to the Honolulu Police Department. The department added that a 40 year old man was arrested on an outstanding promoting gambling warrant, and that the arrest was carried out without incident. Police have not released the suspect’s name while the investigation remains active.
Investigators Probe Links to Drugs and Other Crimes
"Investigations continue to develop intelligence linking illegal gambling, narcotics and other criminal enterprises," Maj. Jerome Pacarro wrote in the department's post, according to the Honolulu Police Department. Investigators say they are following leads that could produce additional arrests, but they are keeping operational details under wraps while detectives process evidence. The department asked anyone with information about illicit game rooms to contact investigators.
Part of a Wider Crackdown
The Hoaha Street bust fits into a long running crackdown on back room "game rooms" across Oʻahu, which authorities say often attract violent crime and drug activity. Reporting by Civil Beat details how HPD has seized hundreds of machines and leaned on civil asset forfeiture and nuisance abatement in an effort to keep the operations shut. Police officials say enforcement is resource intensive because cases usually demand covert surveillance and enough evidence to justify a search warrant before they can move in.
Recent Raids Across the Island
Local coverage shows similar takedowns in recent weeks. For example, a June 10 raid on Waimakua Place yielded 18 machines and more than $11,000 in cash, underscoring how quickly these operations pop up in different neighborhoods. Officials say teams from multiple HPD units now work with city agencies and prosecutors to make sure the closures stick.
How to Report Tips
The Honolulu Police Department asks residents with information about illegal game rooms to call the Narcotics/Vice 24 hour hotline at (808) 723-3933 or use the department’s online tip form, per a HPD news release. The department says seized machines, cash and drugs are cataloged and turned over to the evidence room as part of criminal and forfeiture proceedings. For more on the department's broader strategy and hotline, see the HPD news release.
Legal Penalties
State law spells out what can happen to those accused of running or profiting from illegal gambling. HRS §712-1222 covers promoting gambling in the second degree and lists the penalties prosecutors may seek. See the statute text at Hawaii Revised Statutes §712-1222.
Investigations into the Hoaha Street operation are ongoing, and HPD says it will share more as cases move forward and evidence is processed. Neighbors who notice unusual after hours activity or frequent cash heavy comings and goings are urged to report tips to police so investigators can build cases that close these rooms for good.
