Crimes are sometimes broadly classified or categorized by their nature—such as (1) crimes that are harmful to the victim’s body (assault, battery, rape, and murder) and are known as crimes against the person; and (2) crimes that are harmful to the victim by depriving him of his property or damaging his property and are known as crimes against property (criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, arson).

In Hawaii, crimes are indeed categorized by their nature, aligning with the broader classification found in many jurisdictions. Crimes against the person, such as assault, battery, rape, and murder, are offenses that cause physical harm or a threat of harm to individuals. These are covered under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) in various sections, with assault and related offenses generally found in Chapter 707, Part II, and sexual offenses, including rape, in Chapter 707, Part V. Murder and related offenses are also detailed in Chapter 707, Part I. On the other hand, crimes against property, such as criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, theft, arson, and offenses involving fraud or deceit, are primarily addressed in Chapter 708. These crimes involve taking or damaging someone's property, or otherwise infringing on property rights. The specific statutes define the elements of each crime, potential defenses, and the range of possible penalties, which can vary significantly based on the severity of the offense and other factors such as the defendant's criminal history.