Honolulu County Court Records
Honolulu County court records are documents or information originating from local court proceedings. These include court orders, pleadings, motions, and exhibits, regardless of their format (paper or electronic).
Like in other counties and cities in Hawaii, court records are essential documents in Honolulu County (formally known as the City and County of Honolulu, and formerly Oahu County). Emphasizing their significance, the Hawaii Court Records Rules outline specific procedures for preserving, retaining, and administering access to court records. The court clerks are responsible for executing these tasks and serving as the court records custodians in Honolulu County.
Generally, court records foster accountability and integrity within the judicial system. They are veritable sources for legal research, particularly for academics, lawyers, and judges looking into legal trends and precedents. Furthermore, court records are helpful when conducting background checks or personal investigations, as they provide insight into an individual's interactions with the justice system. They are considered a part of Honolulu County Public Records and are disclosed to members of the public unless otherwise specified by law or judicial order.
Are Court Records Public in Honolulu County?
Yes. Honolulu County court records are public records under the Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA). This law provides public access to all records generated and maintained by government agencies. As a result, anyone can visit a courthouse to inspect or copy records during regular business hours, and such a requester does not need to disclose the purpose of their request nor provide a compelling reason to obtain access.
Still, not all court records or documents are accessible to the public. Haw. Rev. Stat. 92F-13(1-5) specifies certain exceptions, which include case information that may jeopardize a person's privacy, threaten the administration of justice, or is protected by a federal or state statute, court rule, or court order. Examples include personal financial information, medical history records, adoption records, and juvenile delinquency records. Notwithstanding, before a court records custodian can deny access to a Honolulu County court record, the custodian must state the reasons for the denial. If this is not done, the requester may seek redress in court.
What Do Honolulu County Court Records Contain?
The following information may appear in a Honolulu County court record:
- Case details, including the case number, case type (criminal or civil), names and contact details of parties involved, and case status
- Exhibits admitted into evidence in a court trial
- Motions, pleadings, and court decrees
- Court reporter notes, audio and video recordings of court proceedings, and any transcript prepared from them
- Docket entries
- Minutes
Where to Conduct a Honolulu County Case Lookup
Interested persons can look up Honolulu County court case records in any of the following places:
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The office of the clerk of any of these local courthouses:
- Circuit Court (for criminal felonies and civil cases above $40,000 in monetary compensation)
- District Court (for misdemeanors and civil cases below $40,000)
- Family Court
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The Hawaii official case search portal (eCourt Kokua).
How to Conduct a Honolulu County Case Records Search
Individuals can conduct a case records search in Honolulu County in person or online:
In Person
Depending on the case type, inquirers can visit clerk offices within the Honolulu County circuit, district, and family courthouses (called the Oʻahu - First Circuit) to search case records. Each requester will need a case number or the name of an involved party (e.g., a plaintiff) to retrieve case information via public kiosks or the clerk's office. Individuals can also request copies of records on file for a fee (a flat rate of $3 for the first 30 pages and 10 cents for each additional page).
Before visiting a courthouse, one may contact the relevant court division to determine if the record is available.
Online
Another alternative for conducting a case record search in Honolulu County is the eCourt Kokua portal. Ecourt Kokua is the state judiciary's case management system. It is accessible to members of the public who want to search civil, criminal, and traffic cases heard in Hawaii courts, including the district, circuit, family, and appellate courts. Individuals can also purchase documents through the portal. More information about using eKokua, including how-to guides, is available on the portal's homepage.
Researchers may contact the state archives at archives@hawaii.gov or (808) 586-0329 for earlier court records (dating back to 1839).
Honolulu County Civil Court Case Records
Civil case records are generated from legal proceedings involving non-criminal disputes between individuals, companies, or government agencies. In Honolulu County, civil cases are heard in the family, district, and circuit courts. To obtain civil case records, one may visit the courthouse where a case was filed or heard. They may also access the eCourt Kokua portal to search for and purchase civil case records.
Honolulu County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court case records contain information about criminal charges prosecuted within the court system. In Honolulu County, the circuit court handles major criminal cases, but cases classified as misdemeanors may be heard in the district court.
To obtain copies of Honolulu County criminal case records, one may visit the presiding court during business hours to search public kiosks or request copies from the court clerk. An interested party may also access the eCourt Kokua portal.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Viewing Honolulu County court records online via eCourt Kokua is free. However, requesters must pay a fee to obtain copies of records. Persons who plan to make frequent downloads may purchase a quarterly or yearly subscription.
Aside from the Hawaii official court records search system, several independent third-party sites offer court records searches at no cost. Still, requesters often need to pay to access comprehensive information, and they may not find the latest information on cases of interest.
Courts in Honolulu County, Hawaii
Honolulu County is home to Hawaii's appellate and first circuit courts (circuit, district, and family courts). Below are their location and contact details:
First Circuit – Oʻahu
First Circuit Court
Kaʻahumanu Hale
777 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 539-4767
First Circuit Court - Family Court
Ronald T.Y. Moon Kapolei Courthouse
4675 Kapolei Parkway
Kapolei HI 96707-3272
Phone: (808) 954-8000
District Courts
Kauikeaouli Hale
1111 Alakea Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 538-5629
ʻEwa-Pearl City Division
870 Fourth Street
Pearl City, HI 96782
Phone: (808) 534-6900
Kāneʻohe Division
Abner Pākī Hale
45-939 Poʻokela Street
Kāneʻohe, HI 96744
Phone: (808) 534-6300
Wahiawā Division
1034 Kilani Avenue
Wahiawā, HI 96786
Phone: (808) 534-6200
Waiʻanae Division
4675 Kapolei Parkway
Kapolei, HI 96707
Phone: (808) 954-8575
Appellate Courts
Supreme Court
Aliʻiōlani Hale
417 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96813-2943
Phone: (808) 539-4919
Intermediate Court of Appeals
Kapuāiwa Building
426 Queen Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone (808) 539-4919
