Court records in Hawaii can be found through several channels. HawaiiCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed across the state. You can also search records through the Hawaii Judiciary's online tools, visit a court clerk's office in person, use public access terminals at courthouses, or submit written requests. The resources below explain which courts handle specific case types in Hawaii, how to look up hearing schedules, and how to obtain copies of court documents.
Hawaii Court System & Jurisdictions
Hawaii operates a unified, statewide court system — there are no separate county-level courts. Instead, the Hawaii State Judiciary oversees all courts across the state's four judicial circuits. Hawaii County (the Big Island) falls within the Third Circuit. Here are the courts and what they handle:
- Circuit Court (Third Circuit) — Felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts over $40,000, jury trials, and equity matters. The Circuit Court also handles probate and guardianship proceedings.
- District Court — Misdemeanors, petty misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil cases up to $40,000. Small claims cases (up to $5,000, or $3,500 for security-deposit disputes) are also filed here. District Court does not conduct jury trials.
- Family Court — Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoptions, guardianship of minors, domestic violence protective orders, and juvenile matters. The Family Courts page on the Judiciary website provides forms and procedural information.
All three courts in the Third Circuit are housed at the Hilo courthouse, with a satellite District Court in Kona. If you are unsure which court handled a particular case, the eCourt Kokua system lets you search across Circuit Court civil, Family Court civil, and District Court criminal and traffic records statewide.
Hawaii Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's court calendar for Hawaii County cases, use the following resources:
- eCourt Kokua — The Hawaii Judiciary's eCourt Kokua system provides online access to case information, including scheduled hearing dates. Search by case number or party name, then check the "Events" or "Calendar" tab for upcoming hearings.
- Contact the Clerk's Office — You can call the Third Circuit Court clerk directly to ask about specific hearing dates or courtroom assignments.
- In-Person Terminals — Public access terminals at the Hilo courthouse allow you to look up case calendars during business hours.
Court calendars are typically updated on business days. Note that the eCourt Kokua system may be unavailable during scheduled maintenance windows, which are posted on the site.
Third Circuit Court Clerk — Hilo
Third Circuit Court — Kona Division
How to Get a Copy of a Hawaii Court Document
You can obtain court documents from Hawaii County courts in several ways:
Online
Search for your case through eCourt Kokua. Some documents — particularly docket entries, case summaries, and party information — are viewable online at no charge. Full document images may not be available for all case types online.
In Person
- Visit the Third Circuit Court clerk's office in Hilo or the Kona Division.
- Provide the case number or the names of the parties involved.
- Request either a certified or uncertified copy. Certified copies bear the court seal and clerk's signature; they are usually required for legal proceedings or filing with another agency.
- Pay the applicable fee at the clerk's window.
By Mail
Send a written request to the clerk's office at the address below. Include:
- Full case number (if known)
- Names of parties
- Description of the document(s) requested
- Whether you need certified or uncertified copies
- A check or money order payable to "Clerk, Third Circuit Court"
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Restricted Records
Certain records are not publicly accessible, including:
- Sealed or expunged cases
- Juvenile proceedings
- Adoption records
- Records restricted by court order
- Some Family Court records involving minors
For criminal conviction history, the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center maintains statewide criminal history records. You can also search adult conviction information through the eCrim online portal.
Hawaii Court Records Fees & Payment
The Hawaii Judiciary sets fees for court record services statewide. The following table reflects standard fees established under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 607-5 and the Judiciary's published fee schedules. Contact the clerk's office to confirm current amounts, as fees may be updated by administrative order.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a court document | $2.50 per document (first page) plus $0.25 per additional page |
| Uncertified photocopy | $0.25 per page |
| Search of court records (per name, per year searched) | $5.00 |
| Certificate of search (no record found) | $5.00 |
| Certification / authentication of a document | $2.50 |
| eCrim online criminal conviction search | Variable (set by HCJDC) |
Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, or money order payable to "Clerk, Third Circuit Court."
- By mail: Check or money order only.
- Online: Fees for eCrim searches are paid through the eCrim portal via credit or debit card.
If you are requesting multiple documents by mail, contact the clerk's office in advance to confirm the total amount due so your request is not delayed.