Freedom of Information Act / Privacy Act Requests
The MCBH FOIA Coordinator processes requests for records/documents held by Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) Directorates, Headquarters Battalion-MCBH, and Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)/Privacy Act (PA) requests are submitted through the MCBH Adjutant’s Office. The FOIA gives you the right to request information from Federal agencies through requests submitted via FOIAonline: https://foiaonline.gov
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 United States Code (USC) 552, is a Federal law that establishes the public’s right (regardless of nationality) to request records from Federal government agencies, such as the U.S. Marine Corps. The FOIA applies only to Federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies. As a component of the Department of the Navy, Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5720.42F, Department of the Navy Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program (SECNAVINST 5720.42F), governs the Marine Corps FOIA program. The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C.A 552a) is a Federal law that places restrictions on the Federal governments’ collection, use and dissemination of personal information. As with most comprehensive Federal statutes, the act provides general and specific exemptions, as well as an administrative appeals process.
Any person can file a FOIA request, including U.S. citizens, foreign nationals, organizations, universities, businesses, and state and local governments. The FOIA does not require Federal agencies to answer questions, render opinions, or provide subjective evaluations. Requesters must ask for existing records.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)/Privacy Act (PA) requests for MCBH maintained records/documents are submitted to the MCBH Adjutant’s Office via the FOIAonline website at https://foiaonline.gov/foiaonline/action/public/request. Regarding how to submit a FOIAonline request to MCBH, please read the below section, HOW TO SUBMIT A FOIA/PA REQUEST TO MCBH VIA FOIAONLINE for details. If you do not have access to the internet, you can submit a FOIA/PA request to the above mailing address.
For frequently requested records or those released under the FOIA by MCBH, click on the following link:
MCBH FOIA Reading Room (Coming soon)
For frequently requested records released by HQMC, click on the following link below:
http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Agencies/USMC-FOIA/USMC-FOIA-Reading-Room/
For frequently requested records released by the Navy, click on the link below:
http://www.secnav.navy.mil/foia/readingroom/SitePages/Home.aspx
If you are not satisfied with the response you received from MCBH, you have the right to seek assistance and/or dispute resolution services from the Marine Corps FOIA Public Liaison, Ms. Sally Hughes, at hqmcfoia@usmc.mil or (703) 614-4008, and/or the Department of the Navy FOIA Public Liaison, Mr. Christopher Julka, at Christopher.a.julka@navy.mil or (703) 697-0031. You may also contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) for assistance and/or dispute resolution at ogis@nara.gov or 1-877-684-6448. For more information online about services provided by OGIS, please visit their website at https://www.archives.gov/ogis.
HOW TO SUBMIT A FOIA/PA REQUEST TO MCBH VIA FOIAONLINE:
After clicking on the FOIAonline website link, you select "Create a Request." Next under “Agency Selection”, select “Department of the Navy”. Under Sub-Agency, select “United States Marine Corps”. In the next drop down menu, select “Marine Corps Installations Command.” In the next drop down menu, select “Marine Corps Installations Pacific.” In the next drop down menu, select “Marine Corps Base Hawaii.”
Under Contact Information, please provide as much information as you can.
Under Processing Fees, type in $15.00.
Under Description, please indicate the information you want (Ex. FAP File), the timeframe you want (Ex. January 2015-December 2017), and-if not already mentioned-the department the information is maintained by (Ex. MCCS, PMO, etc.).