Where to Find Hawaii Civil Court Records

Hawaii civil court records are the official court proceedings of civil cases handled by civil courts in the Hawaiʻi Judiciary System. The civil courts in Hawaii are the District, Family, Environment, and Circuit Courts. These courts are responsible for maintaining and processing court record requests. Members of the public may access these records through online or walk-in services provided by the courts. Information on these records can also be obtained through third-party websites such as Hawaii.CourtRecords.us.

Are Hawaii Civil Court Records Public?

Yes, Hawaii civil court records are public. Interested parties may inspect or copy all court records in electronic, paper, written, audio, or video format, except those exempted by law or court order. This public right of access is guaranteed by the Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA). Records or information that are exempted under this act include:

• Medical and psychological diagnosis, condition, or treatment information
• Investigative reports and materials
• Juvenile records
• Financial information and social security numbers
• Records that reveal an informant or witness
• Other information that may result in physical harm of an individual or restricted by statute/court order

Types of Cases in Hawaii Civil Courts

The District, Family, Environment, and Circuit Courts hear all cases involving civil actions or claims. The Family Courts have jurisdiction over domestic and children matters. The District Courts handle matters involving civil actions under $40,000 in damages, civil cases for specific performance not above $20,000 in value, and small claims under $5,000 in damages. The Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction in civil cases and share concurrent jurisdiction with the District Courts in non-jury cases that involve matters between $10,000 to $40,000 in controversy. Civil matters involving water, forests, air, mountains, and beaches are heard by the Environment Courts. Cases heard by the civil courts include:

• Child matters including status offenses, abuse/neglect, adoption, guardianships, termination of parental rights
• Domestic matters including paternity, child custody, divorce, restraining orders
• Civil commitment and adult abuse cases
• Traffic infractions and violations
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Medical and legal malpractice
• Contract disputes
• Property disputes
• Libel and slander
• Probate cases
• Replevin
• Guardianship
• Conservatorship
• Trust claims
• Equity claims
• Small claims
• Tort claims
• Foreclosure
• Construction defects
• Product liability
• Bankruptcy

What is the Difference Between Criminal Cases and Civil Cases in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, a criminal case differs from a civil case in the following ways:

• The law and courts: Both legal cases have separate laws protecting the rights of parties involved and guiding the methods by which law enforcement, courts, and other agencies who provide related services, handle and process the cases. Also, the law appoints specific courts to handle civil cases. In the state, each court has jurisdiction over certain types of civil cases, except the Civil Courts which can hear all types of civil cases
• The party who brings the action: In civil cases, the civil action is brought by the wronged individual or business. In criminal cases, the government brings the case against an individual or business for crimes committed within the state.
• Representation: The defendants in a civil action may represent themselves or hire an attorney if they can afford one. In criminal cases, the defendant has the right to an attorney and if unable to afford one, the state is required by law to assign an attorney to the case.
• Judgment: Most civil cases are heard by a judge; in some instances, a jury trial might commence. Criminal cases, on the other hand, are usually by jury trial.
• Penalties. The highest punishments defendants may receive from civil cases are monetary damages or injunctions. Parties found guilty of criminal offenses are subject to punishment by fine or imprisonment.

How Do I Find Civil Court Records In Hawaii?

The Hawaiʻi Judiciary System has four judicial circuits, namely:

• First judicial circuit (O'ahu )
• Second judicial circuit (Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Kaho'olawe, and Molokini)
• Third judicial circuit (Hawai'i)
• Fifth judicial circuit (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau, and Ka'ula)

Interested parties may find non-confidential civil court records by visiting the courthouse in the appropriate circuit or division, or using online and electronic services provided by the courts. Parties visiting the courthouse in person or requesting by mail, fax, or email, may use the following steps to obtain copies of the records:

• Find the court: As stated above, there are 4 judicial circuits. Each circuit has divisions responsible for disseminating these records to the public. Below are the addresses and contact numbers of the divisions:
  • First Judicial Circuit:

Circuit Court
Ka`ahumanu Hale
Legal Documents Branch
777 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-5093
Phone: (808) 539-4300
Fax: (808) 539-4314

Email

District Court
Kauikeaouli Hale
Legal Documents Branch – Files & Services
1111 Alakea Street
Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813-2801
Phone: (808) 538-5149

Family Court
Ronald T. Y. Moon Judiciary Complex
Legal Documents Branch
4675 Kapolei, Hawai`i 96707-3272
Phone: (808) 954-8310
Fax: (808) 954-8333

Email

Kauikeaouli Hale (to purchase traffic records and traffic reports)
Traffic Violations Bureau
1111 Alakea Street
Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813-2801
Phone: (808) 538-5100

• • Second Judicial Circuit:

Second Circuit Courts
Hoapili Hale
Legal Documents Branch
2145 Main Street
Wailuku, Maui 96793-1679
Phone: (808) 244-2969
Fax: (808) 244-2932

• • Third Judicial Circuit:

Third Circuit Courts – Hilo
Hale Kaulike
Legal Documents Branch
777 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720-4212
Phone: (808) 961-7400
Fax: (808) 961-7493

Email

Third Circuit Courts – Kona
Legal Documents Branch
Keahuolū Courthouse
74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue
Kona, Hawaii 96740
Phone: (808) 322-8750
Fax: (808) 322-8730

Email

• • Fifth Judicial Circuit:

Fifth Circuit Courts
Pu`uhonoa Kaulike Building
3970 Ka`ana Street
Lihue, Kauai 96766-1256
Phone: (808) 482-2330
Fax: 808-482-2553

Email (Circuit and Family civil record requests)

Email (District Court civil record requests)

• Complete the request form: Applicants are required to submit a written application to obtain civil court records. Each circuit has a form available for these purposes. The information required to access these records usually includes the name of the party, case number, case type, title/description of the records, and the number of copies required. It is also necessary that the requesting parties include their contact details. Applicants who do not have the record information may use designated computers or public libraries to search for free. Searchers may also use the eCourt Kokua or Hoohiki platforms to search for this information online.
• Submit the request: Applicants may submit the completed form, including the record fees to the applicable courthouse by mail, email, or fax. However, the District Court in the first judicial circuit only processes requests by mail. In-person requests may be made at the legal documents room in the courthouses indicated above with valid IDs. There may be additional fees attached depending on the number and the format of the records being requested. Processing times differ according to the method of request.

How Do I Find Hawaii Civil Court Records Online?

It is possible to find civil court records online in Hawaii through the eCourt Kokua and Hoohiki sites provided by the Hawaii judiciary. Using the eCourt Kokua platform, members of the public may search District and Circuit Court civil case records and purchase them for a fee. It costs $3 per document for copies. The Hoohiki site may be used to search civil court records (1983-present) from the Family Courts. However, the full court record cannot be accessed online, only by request to the court where the claim was filed. Also, some records may not be available online on Hoohiki.

What Is Included In a Hawaii Civil Court Record?

Although there are a variety of civil cases, the basic information contained in Hawaii civil court records include:

• Personal identifiers of all parties involved in the case
• Evidence, affidavits, transcripts, exhibits, court summons, and pleadings
• Complaints and amendments to the complaints
• Answers and motions
• Appearances
• Orders of notices
• Transcripts and audio/video recordings
• Final judgments
• Settlements and agreements

How to Access Hawaii Civil Court Records For Free

Hawaii civil court records are available for free using the online platforms, eCourt Kokua or Hoohiki, and public terminals located in courthouses. These records are also accessible through public libraries. However, what is available for free is basic case information. It is not the complete, comprehensive, nor certified court record. To obtain the full record, the requesting party must pay a fee to the court with jurisdiction over the records.

How to Seal Civil Court Records in Hawaii

Typically, to seal a record means to make the record restricted to the public. In Hawaii, there are no clear provisions given by statutes on the sealing of civil court records. However, §92F-14 U.I.P.A covers information that may be made confidential if the party's privacy interests outweigh that of the public. The applicable court may be contacted for further information.

How to Access Sealed Civil Court Records in Hawaii

§92F-22 provides exemptions and limitations of public access to court records, even to the subject of the record. Under Rule 10.4 of the Hawaii Court Records Rules, the following persons may access confidential records, except otherwise provided by statute or court rule. These parties include the court with jurisdiction over the case or its appeal, the Supreme Court and other designated personnel of the court, designated attorneys to the cases, and authorized service providers.