An act for which the law provides a penalty is an "offense". In the state military forces, chapter 124A, HRS, and chapter 7-9 set out the types of conduct for which a member may legally be punished. Any question as to whether specific conduct constitutes a violation of the penal provisions of chapter 124A, HRS shall be resolved by contacting the office of the appropriate staff judge advocate, as a member's conduct may be substandard or personally offensive without being an offense.
Haw. Code R. § 7-3-5