A preliminary study found that sentencing changes would probably have a small effect on the total prison population. As of July 1, 1986, there were 1,925 persons in Hawaii's correctional facilities. Projections were made for the total population its two major groups: the sentenced felon population and the jail population. Past and expected trends in admissions and length of stay for sentenced felons and for the jail population were the major factors used to obtain the population projections. Based on the current penal code, the inmate population is projected to increase by 10.3 percent from fiscal year 1985-86 to reach 2,103 by fiscal year 1990-91. By fiscal year 1996-97, the inmate population is estimated at 2,579, a 35.3-percent increase from 1985-86. From fiscal years 1981-82 to 1985-86, costs grew from $18.4 million to $32.1 million (74.5-percent increase). By fiscal year 1996-97, costs are projected to increase by 78.5 percent to $57.3 million, with most of the increase being personnel costs. 22 tables, 9 figures, and appended supplementary tables, mandating legislation, and a description of the preliminary study.