Honolulu County Courts

Honolulu County, with a population of about 998,747, constitutes 69.1% of Hawaii's total population of approximately 1,446,000. As part of the state's First Circuit, its court system receives an estimated 285,000 case filings (including traffic cases) annually and records about 326,000 case dispositions. These filings include at least 34,000 criminal cases, 10,500 family-related matters, and around 1,000 probate cases. The Honolulu County court system consists of three primary courts, including:

• Oahu First Circuit Court: holds general jurisdiction over all serious criminal cases punishable by incarceration exceeding one year, probate and guardianship matters, civil actions in which the amount in controversy exceeds $40,000, and equity cases.
• Oahu First Circuit District Courts: address misdemeanors, infractions, traffic and parking violations, civil claims in which the amount in controversy is $40,000 or less, and eviction matters.
• Oahu First Circuit Family Court: holds exclusive jurisdiction over family and domestic relationship matters, including juvenile delinquency, divorce and legal separation, spousal support, and status offenses.

These courts are spread across Honolulu County in locations including downtown Honolulu, Kapolei, Wahiawa, and Pearl City.

How To Access Honolulu County Court Records

To uphold transparency in government, the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) provides the public with the right to access government records, including those maintained by the Hawaii State Judiciary, unless exemptions apply to safeguard personal privacy or public safety. Similarly, Rule 10 of the Hawaii Court Records Rules (HCCR) allows access to both recent and archived court records, whether in electronic or physical form, unless such access is restricted by law, court rule, or judicial order. Consequently, most court records in Honolulu County are available for public inspection, although access is generally restricted for records related to mental health, adoption, or other matters involving sensitive personal information.

When searching for court records in Honolulu County, individuals may be required to provide identifying details such as a telephone number, email address, or mailing address. Additional information that may assist in locating records includes the case ID, case type, or the names of the parties involved. Court records may be accessed using any of the following methods:

Online

The eCourt Kokua portal offers access to publicly available information for traffic, criminal, and civil cases within the Honolulu County court system. Users may effectively search for court records by using various search criteria, including an individual's name, a business or government agency name, a case ID, or a citation number. Beyond viewing case information, the portal also offers the convenience of purchasing and downloading case documents directly. The standard cost for purchasing documents online is typically $3 per page for the first 30 pages, with a reduced fee of $0.10 for each additional page.

For cases involving federal questions that originated in Honolulu County, interested parties may utilize the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. However, direct access to federal case documents and detailed docket information through PACER requires users to create an account.

Furthermore, county case records and federal case records related to Honolulu County may also be searched through CourtCaseFinder. This website aggregates publicly sourced court records from jurisdictions across the United States, providing an alternative avenue for access.

In-Person

Although public case information from Honolulu County courts is available online, official case documents are maintained by the Clerk of the specific court where the case was heard. To view or purchase copies of these official case documents, individuals may complete and submit a Request to Access Court Records form in person to the relevant Court Clerk. It is important to note that a $5 search fee (per name) may be assessed if the requester is unable to provide the specific case number.

Alternatively, case documents may also be searched in the courthouse using the public access terminals located in the Clerk's Office. To expedite this search process, users should provide adequate information, such as the document's description or title, case type, case ID, and the names of the parties involved. The cost to obtain copies of case documents in person is $1 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page, and an extra $2 per page for certified copies.

Old and Archived Court Records

Individuals may request to view old or archived court records by visiting the courthouse where the case was originally filed. These records are often stored off-site and may be retrieved upon request for a fee of $5 per case record. Additionally, the Hawaii State Archives provides access to a range of historical judicial records, including civil, equity, probate, divorce, and criminal cases dating from 1839 through 1970. Interested parties may search and review these materials by visiting the Archives during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, at the following location:

How To File a Case in Honolulu County

To file a case in Honolulu County, filers need to locate the court with the proper subject-matter jurisdiction over their case. It is also recommended to verify jurisdiction with the Clerk of the Court to avoid the risk of losing filing fees or having the case dismissed due to improper filing.

Case documents may be filed in person at the Clerk's Office, by mail, or electronically. Licensed attorneys are mandated to use the Judicial Electronic Filing and Service System (JEFS) for all filings. Non-attorneys, however, may choose their preferred method of filing. Self-represented litigants must initially file their complaint in person with the Clerk, though they may use JEFS for submitting subsequent documents after the case is opened.

To use JEFS for subsequent filings, Pro Se litigants may begin by clicking the register for access button and submitting the required case and personal information. Once registered, they are required to agree to receive filing notices and hearing notifications through the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) system. For in-person filing with the Circuit Court, individuals are required to complete the appropriate forms and submit them along with the applicable fees to the File Room, which is typically open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. For District Court cases, filings may be submitted to the Legal Documents Branch on the third floor of the Oahu First Circuit District Court (Honolulu District Court) between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Filing fees in Honolulu County vary depending on the court, case type, and any additional services required. Actions such as requesting a jury trial or filing an appeal may increase the total cost. Individuals who are unable to afford filing fees may request a waiver by completing a Request for Relief from Court Filing Fees and submitting it with their forms to the Clerk. Below is a breakdown of common filing fees by court and case type:

Family Court filing fees:

• Guardianship - $215
• Paternity - $265
• Adoption - $215
• Divorce - $215 (without minor children); $265 (with minor children)

Circuit Court filing fees

• Civil actions - $315
• Demand for jury trial - $200
• Foreign judgments - $415
• Appeal to Circuit Court - $215

District Courts filing fees

• Complaint - $155
• Demand for jury trial - $200
• Small claims - $35
• Summary possession - $155

In summary, to file a case in Honolulu County, interested parties must first confirm that their case falls within the purview of the court. The filing process may then be completed either electronically through the Judiciary Electronic Filing and Service System (JEFS) or in person at the Clerk's Office.

For those filing in person, the process involves obtaining and completing the correct forms, then submitting them to the Clerk's Office along with the required filing fees or an approved fee waiver application. Regardless of the filing method, the final crucial step is ensuring the defendant is legally and formally notified of the petition or complaint through a proper service of process.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

The Honolulu County court system offers a significant range of self-help and legal aid resources. These resources are designed to assist individuals, particularly Pro Se litigants and income-eligible residents, in navigating the complexities of the legal system. Income-eligible residents are households or individuals whose income falls within a specific range that qualifies them for certain benefits or services. The self-help and legal aid resources available to Honolulu County residents include various legal aid organizations, court self-help centers, Access to Justice Room programs, and online pro bono platforms.

The Honolulu District Court Access to Justice Room is a support service where volunteer attorneys from the Hawaii State Bar Association offer limited legal assistance to self-represented litigants involved in District Court matters such as small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and debt collection cases. Interested parties may visit the Honolulu District Court in person on the first Wednesday of each month between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., or call (808) 909-2847 to speak with Legal Aid Staff, who will connect them with an attorney for virtual assistance on all other Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the same hours.

In contrast, the Kapolei Access to Justice Room (KAJR) provides limited legal help to pro se litigants handling civil matters in the Family Court. This service is available in person every second Friday of the month at the Supreme Court Law Library between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Individuals may also call (808) 954-8290 to reach Legal Aid Staff and schedule a telephone or virtual appointment, which is typically offered on the first and third Thursdays of each month during the same time slot.

Beyond these specific Access to Justice Room services, other valuable self-help resources that may be explored include:

• Hawaii Online Pro Bono (HOP): An online legal clinic enabling eligible users to post civil legal questions free of charge.
• Legal Navigator: An online portal that consolidates Hawaii-focused legal materials, articles, court forms and offers guided interviews to assist users.

Furthermore, low-income residents in Honolulu County may access free legal assistance from private, state-supported non-profit legal aid organizations when addressing civil matters. A prime example is the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (LASH), which is dedicated to assisting families and individuals who cannot afford to hire a private attorney with concerns spanning family law, consumer law, and housing law, among other areas.

Additionally, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii (VLSH) partners with volunteer attorneys to provide free or low-cost legal aid to low and moderate-income residents across the state, including those in Honolulu County.

Types of Courts in Honolulu County, Hawaii

Civil and criminal matters arising within Honolulu County are handled by the county's state courts. In contrast, civil, criminal, or bankruptcy cases that arise under federal law fall under the jurisdiction of the federal courts located within the county. The jurisdiction and contact information of these courts are listed below:

Circuit Court in Honolulu County

Oahu First Circuit Court

• Jurisdiction - exclusive jurisdiction in felonies, guardianship cases, and civil matters in which the amount in controversy exceeds $40,000. Concurrent jurisdiction with the District Courts over civil matters in which the amount in controversy is between $10,000 and $40,000.
• Contact information -

District Courts in Honolulu County

Jurisdiction - exclusive jurisdiction in landlord-tenant disputes and traffic infractions. They also handle criminal offenses that are punishable by a fine or by imprisonment for one year or less. In addition, District Courts hear civil cases in which the amount in controversy or the damages claimed do not exceed $40,000.

Oahu First Circuit District Court

Oahu First Circuit District Court - Ewa/Pearl City

Oahu First Circuit District Court - Kāne'ohe Division

Oahu First Circuit District Court - Wahiawā/Waialua

Oahu First Circuit District Court - Wai'anae

Family Court in Honolulu County

Oahu First Circuit Family Court

• Jurisdiction - handles traditional domestic matters such as uniform child custody jurisdiction cases, custody matters, and divorce. It also hears other legal matters involving children, like juvenile delinquency, status offenses, adoption, and termination of parental rights.
• Contact information -

Federal Courts in Honolulu County

United States District Court for the District of Hawaii

• Jurisdiction - matters involving federal statutes, disputes involving the U.S. government, and constitutional issues.
• Contact information -

United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii

• Jurisdiction - all bankruptcy-related matters arising in Honolulu County
• Contact information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Honolulu County Courts