Hawaii Court Records

Are Hawaii Court Records Public?

Yes, Hawaii court records are public, and like every other public record in the state are accessible by almost anyone. The Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) stipulates that all records generated and maintained by government agencies at all levels in the state are public. Records may be in written, electronic, visual, and auditory, or other forms. All the branches of the Hawaii government are subject to this Act. Individuals can request public records in Hawaii without disclosing the purpose of the request.

Disclosure of some data constitutes privacy invasion and breach of secrecy, and as such, are exemptions of the Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act. These include criminal investigations, psychological, medical, or psychiatric information, personal files, and social services or welfare benefits information. Others are records of a current judicial proceeding in which an agency that is receiving the request is a party, budget worksheets, unfiled committee reports, and confidential government records. Generally, the Uniform Information Act gives up to ten days for record custodians to respond to a request for public records. Departments that cannot provide public records within ten days of an application must notify the requestor and ensure to complete the search within another ten days. The Office of Information Practices is dedicated to the access of Hawaii public records in the State of Hawaii.

What Shows Up on a Hawaii Court Records Search

According to Hawaii's Court Record Rules, court records are documents related to a case, such as correspondence, exhibits, docket, minutes, and all items maintained by a court in connection with a judicial proceeding.

Hawaii offers court record search services via official custodians and eCourt Kokua, its online court record repository. The procedure for requesting access to a court record and the conditions for accessing case files or court records through online repositories vary from court to court. Individuals interested in obtaining court records at their courthouses may contact the appropriate Hawaii courts for information pertaining to in-person or remote access to these records.

How Do I Find Court Records in Hawaii?

To find court records in Hawaii, inquirers must know the court where such court records reside and the case type. Interested persons may inspect and copy court records by visiting the courthouses that heard the cases of interest, provided they are not exempt from public disclosure. Additionally, the Hawaii State Judiciary created online databases for accessing public court records. While many court records are available on these platforms, some may not be at all or have incomplete case information. In such situations, the members of the public may contact the clerks of courthouses where they are being kept. Currently, the Hawaii State Judiciary uses the eCourt Kokua and Ho'ohiki platforms as online court record repositories. Each of them keeps records of different courts and cases. Interested persons may contact each Hawaii courts at the following addresses for inquiries on obtaining court records at the courthouses:

Circuit Court

Ka`ahumanu Hale
Legal Documents Branch
777 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813-5093
Phone: (808) 539-4300
Email: HoohikiHelp@courts.Hawaii.gov

Family Court

Ronald T. Y. Moon Judiciary Complex
Legal Documents Branch
4675 Kapolei, HI 96707-3272
Phone: (808) 954-8310
Email: HoohikiHelp@courts.hawaii.gov

District Court

Kauikeaouli Hale
Legal Documents Branch – Files & Services
1111 Alakea Street
Honolulu, HI 96813-2801
Phone: (808) 538-5149
(Requests strictly by mail)

Kauikeaouli Hale

Traffic Violations Bureau
1111 Alakea Street
Honolulu, HI 96813-2801
Phone: (808) 538-5100

Hawaii Court Records Public Access

eCourt Kokua

The eCourt Kokua provides public access to court records generated from specific courts in the state of Hawaii. It is publicly available through the Hawaii State Judiciary website, and most documents on the Portal come at a fee. The Portal contains District Court civil and criminal cases, Circuit Court civil and criminal cases, Land Court and tax appeal court cases, Family (Adult) Court criminal cases, and traffic cases. Regular and certified copies of documents on the Portal currently costs $3 and $5, respectively. Users can subscribe for $125 per quarter or $500 per year for unlimited single downloads of public documents. eCourt Kokua offers three methods of finding Hawaii court records. These include:

• Party Search - Search for case details by names of persons or business and government agency, and party ID.
• Vehicle Search - Find case details by VIN or license plate.
• Case Search - Search for case details on the Portal by case ID or citation number.

Once the search is complete and the case of interest displayed, users should scroll down to the Dockets section at the bottom of the page. They may then click the PDF icon of the case. A popup window will appear asking if the user wants to purchase a regular or certified copy. Select one and then click Add to Cart. There is a View/Purchase Documents tab on the eCourt Kokua page where users will find all documents already added to their carts. Interested persons may review the list, click purchase and pay with a credit card. The Hawaii State Judiciary provides a guide to purchasing documents on eCourt Kokua.

Ho'ohiki

Interested persons can access information on civil cases filed in the Family Courts using Ho'ohiki. Case information on this platform is updated every evening, daily but does not provide access to court documents. Users cannot find information from confidential suits using Ho'ohiki, but data such as case title, document list, and party list are available for public access. Requestors may query the Portal for case information by name or case IDs. Individuals who wish to copy court documents of Family Court civil cases should contact the legal documents office of the courthouse keeping such case files.

How to Conduct a Hawaii Court Record Search by Name

To conduct a court record search by name, requesters should visit the courthouse where the case was heard or use the online case management system. The name can be the name of the record holder, the parties in a case, the attorneys involved, or even the judge(s).

Name-based searches can be conducted using eCourt KoKua, the state's online database for court records. Particularly for civil and criminal matters from the District Court, Circuit Court, Land Court, tax appeal court, Family (Adult) Court, and traffic court, through eCourt Koku, requesters can conduct a detailed online case search.

Users of an online case management system such as eCourt Kokua must log in as a guest, a returning user, or a new user by creating a new account. On the Search Page, the search criteria can be entered after logging in or registering. The field for searching by name may include the record holder's name, the case parties' names, the attorneys involved, and even the names of the judges. After the query has been submitted, matching results will be generated. For each search result, users will see the case number, party name, filing date, and time, in addition to pertinent case information. Instructions for purchasing documents through eCourt Kokua are provided by the Hawaii State Judiciary.

How to Get Hawaii Court Records Online for Free

Users of eCourt KoKua can view case information for free, but downloading documents from the Portal is fee-based. The current prices for regular and certified copies of documents on the Portal are $3.00 and $5.00, respectively. The system allows users to download public documents without restriction for a $125.00 per quarter subscription fee.

In addition, many courts permit individuals to use their public access computers to conduct free court record searches. This would require a visit to the courthouse where the case was heard. Any additional services provided by the cost staff are, however, subject to an additional fee. Requesters may also utilize aggregation sites operated by a third party, which are additional low-cost online court records access options. However, caution should be exercised when accessing court records on other free websites, as there is no guarantee that they are accurate or exhaustive.

Considered open to citizens of the United States, court records are available through both traditional government sources, and through third-party websites and organizations. In many cases, third-party websites make the search easier as they are not limited geographically or by technological limitations. They are considered a good place to start when looking for a specific record or multiple records. In order to gain access to these records, interested parties must typically provide:

• The name of the person listed in the record. Juveniles are typically exempt from this search method.
• The last known or assumed location of the person listed in the record. This includes cities, counties, and states.

While third-party sites offer such services, they are not government-sponsored entities, and record availability may vary on these sites when compared to government sources.

Types of Courts in Hawaii

The Hawaii court system comprises five distinct court types:

• Hawaii's Supreme Court holds the highest level of authority. The court is responsible for establishing court rules and procedures, disciplining attorneys, and issuing legal licenses for all state courts. In addition, it has sole authority over election-related cases.
• Most appeals from state trial courts and agencies are heard by the Intermediate Court of Appeals. It has the discretionary power to hear cases involving legal questions submitted without a prior lawsuit.
• The Circuit and District Courts are the trial courts in Hawaii. The Circuit court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases in the state. It hears misdemeanor violations and mechanic's liens transferred from the District Court for jury trials. The court has exclusive jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, probate matters, and civil cases involving more than $40,000.00 in damages.
• The District Court of Hawaii has exclusive jurisdiction over landlord-tenant and traffic violation cases. It also hears civil cases and disputes with a fair market value below $40,000.00
• Family, environmental, land, and tax appeal courts are the special courts in Hawaii's court system. Their cases are directly related to their names. Environmental Courts, for instance, handle civil and criminal cases involving streams, water, air, mountains, and forests, whereas Tax Appeal Courts handle all disputes involving income, property, insurance taxation, etc. Land Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over applications for title registration and land-held rights, whereas Family Courts generally deal with family-related issues.

What Shows Up on Hawaii Judgment Records?

Hawaii judgment records are court documents containing the court’s decision on a case in its jurisdiction following a trial or examination of case facts. The clerk of courts creates judgment records following this decision and stores them along with other court documents relevant to the case.

The Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act makes these records open to interested members of the public. To obtain judgment records in Hawaii, a requester must know the case number and litigants’ names and be prepared to pay the associated court fees. Armed with this information:

• Visit the clerk’s office during business hours.
• Submit a request for the court record, providing the case number and the litigants’ names. Knowing the presiding judge’s name and the judgment year can also help expedite the search.

Upon retrieving the judgment records sought, the requester may obtain regular or certified copies. There is also the option to copy the whole case file, especially when the requester seeks additional details.

Besides visiting the clerk’s office for judgment records, interested persons may also order the court documents on the court’s website. However, this option is only available if the court maintains an online repository for case documents. Persons who obtain Hawaii judgment records can expect to see the litigants’ names, the judge’s name, and the judgment issued.

Are Hawaii Bankruptcy Records Public?

Hawaii bankruptcy records contain all financial and related information on persons or organizations that filed bankruptcy actions in the U.S federal court. These records fall under the umbrella of public records and can therefore be accessed by almost anyone. Filing for bankruptcy provides an automatic stay against the debt-reclaiming actions of most creditors. The debts owed are usually restructured resulting in the creation of a repayment plan or liquidation of assets by the debtors.

In the state of Hawaii, bankruptcy records and associated documents such as Hawaii Liens, writs, and judgments are deemed public record information. Interested and eligible persons may access these records by querying the record custodian in the jurisdiction where the original filing was made.

How to Find Bankruptcy Records in Hawaii

Hawaii bankruptcy records are available to the public per the Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act and the Freedom of Information Act unless the sought record is sealed by a court order.

To obtain Hawaii bankruptcy records, parties can visit or contact the District of Hawaii Bankruptcy Court via mail or phone using the Multi-Court Voice Case Information System (McVIS). Additionally, interested parties can utilize the PACER platform.

To get a record, mail requests to the District of Hawaii Bankruptcy Court can be sent to the courthouse or via email at copies@hib.uscourts.gov. If parties wish to make a telephone request, they can dial (808) 522-8100. A court records search costs $32.00, and the certification of any document costs $11.00. Requesters must provide the petitioner’s name, case number, or case title to facilitate the search for bankruptcy records in Hawaii.

United States Bankruptcy Court
District of Hawaii
1132 Bishop Street, Suite 250
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 522-8100

Can You Look Up Court Cases in Hawaii?

Yes, Hawaii court case lookups can be performed through the record custodian in local courthouses. The clerks of courts are the custodian of court records and ongoing proceedings. However, individuals who intend to visit a courthouse should endeavor to contact the office of the clerk by telephone before the actual visit. They will provide accurate case numbers, case types, party names, and other information that might aid case file retrieval. Similarly, eCourt Kokua and Ho'ohiki are accessible remotely by anyone. Each case management system provides information on different courts and case types, provided they are public. Interested persons can look up District Court civil and criminal cases, Circuit Court civil and criminal cases, Land Court and tax appeal court cases, Family (Adult) Court criminal cases, and traffic cases on eCourt Kokua. Ho'ohiki is a database for case information on civil cases heard in the Family Court.

Looking Up Hawaii Court Case Records: Exemptions

According to Haw. Rev. Stat. 92F-13(1-5) exempted records include records that are shielded from disclosure by state or federal law, as well as court-protected records. In addition, government records that pertain to the prosecution or defense of any judicial or quasi-judicial action in which the State or any county is or may be a party are generally exempted from public disclosure. Current judicial proceeding records for which the requesting agency is a case party also fall under the category of exempt records.

How to Find a Court Docket in Hawaii

Dockets are typically maintained by a court clerk or another staff member and are available to the public during all business hours. They can be utilized to keep track of upcoming court dates and deadlines, which is essential for unrepresented litigants.

Generally, courts in Hawaii provide access to dockets in both physical and digital formats. Interested parties can visit the courthouse to request a copy or access the dedicated online case management system used by the courthouse.

According to Hawaii Court Record Rules, a docket is a chronological listing of documents and proceedings for each court or Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office (ADLRO) record. Dockets assist courts with case management, case tracking, and punctual hearings. Additionally, case parties, attorneys, and the general public can benefit from dockets.

Civil vs Small Claims Courts in Hawaii: Understanding the Difference

Small claims cases are legal disputes between two or more parties heard in a simple and informal way. Small claims cases are also civil cases. Hawaii Small Claims Courts are divisions of the District Court dedicated to handling cases where the compensation sought is less than $5,000. The parties in Hawaii small claims cases may hire attorneys except for cases involving agitations to retain or return a security deposit under a residential rental agreement. The Small Claims Division of the Hawaii District Court may hear the following suits:

• Recovery of money where the amount contested is $5,000 or less. This amount does not include any interest and costs that the court may grant. It may also handle counterclaims by the defendants against the plaintiffs where the amount does not exceed $40,000.
• Cases involving the recovery of damages or repossession based on unauthorized removal of items from business premises.
• Disagreements between residential landlords and tenants over security deposits.
• The return of rented or leased personal property whose worth does not exceed $5,000 and where the rental debt is not more than $5,000.

Small claims cases are usually resolved more quickly than other court cases. Also, the filing procedure is informal. Plaintiffs must, however, be more than 18 years of age, and they are responsible for paying filing fees. Filing small claims cases in Hawaii costs $35 but may be waived if a plaintiff has financial difficulty, with proof. There are rules for filing small claims in the state. They may be filed:

• In the division where the defendant lives.
• If the defendant does not reside in the judicial circuit, then in the division where the claim emerged. If the claim arose outside of the judicial circuit, then in any division where the defendant may be seen.
• For security deposit cases, in the division where the defendant resides, or where the property exists for defendants who live out of state.
• If the claim emerged outside of the judicial circuit, then in any division where any defendant is present.
• If defendants are residing in different divisions, then in the division where the claim arose.