The FBI's investigative authority is the broadest of all federal law enforcement agencies. Investigations are conducted within the United States Attorney General's Guidelines which pertain to racketeering enterprises, general criminal investigations, undercover operations, criminal informant matters, extraterritorial investigations, and domestic security and terrorism matters. The FBI's investigative philosophy emphasizes close relations and information sharing with other federal, state, local, and international law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

FBI Honolulu is comprised of the following investigative initiatives:

• Organized Crime and Counternarcotics Program
• Foreign Counterintelligence Program
• National Infrastructure Protection and Computer Intrusion Program
• White Collar Crime Program
• Violent Crime and Major Offenders Program
• Counterterrorism Program
• Civil Rights Program
• Training Program