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.

The Honolulu Division is one of three FBI field offices having responsibility for overseas or extraterritorial investigations throughout the world.  Specifically, this Division responds to trans-national crimes in 47 foreign countries in the Asia-Pacific Rim.  FBI Honolulu is currently addressing major investigations involving murder, kidnapping, and serious assaults committed against Americans and against U.S. interests in that region.  The Miami Division handles investigative matters in South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico and the Washington, D.C., field office handles investigative matters in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

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