- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
What are Hawaii Court Records?
Hawaii is the 11th least- populous state, with over 1.4 million residents. Operating a two-tiered court system comprising the Supreme Court, Intermediate Court of Appeals, Circuit Courts, Family Courts, and District Courts, Hawaii courts handle about One Million caseloads annually.
Hawaii court records are public and accessible to residents. The Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) ensures that records are maintained by government agencies at all levels and are available to the public. However, exceptions exist for records exempted by law or court order. These court records include:
Case Files/Information
Detailed documents related to legal cases, containing information about the parties involved, case numbers, filing dates, and case types.
Dockets
Listings of court events, hearings, and scheduled proceedings that provide an overview of case progress and future activities.
Judgments and Orders
Documents containing court decisions, rulings, and outcomes. Judgments specify responsibilities and any resulting payments or penalties, while orders address procedural aspects during a lawsuit.
Transcripts
Exact records of court proceedings, including testimonies, arguments, and judicial rulings during hearings and trials.
Evidence
Court records that include evidence presented during trials, such as exhibits, photographs, and expert reports.
Court Minutes
Summaries of court sessions that detail the actions taken, motions filed, and discussions held.
Pleadings
Legal documents filed by parties or attorneys, including complaints, indictments, motions, orders, and jury verdicts.
Briefs
Written arguments submitted by attorneys that present legal issues, and relevant facts, to appellate courts.
Hawaiians can access these court records by visiting local courthouses or through online databases provided by the Hawaii State Judiciary.
Types of Court Cases
In Hawaii, court cases are categorized into several types that cover a broad spectrum of cases managed within the State Judiciary. However, they can be primarily categorized into two:
Criminal Cases
Criminal cases in Hawaii are handled by different courts depending on the severity of the offense. Examples of criminal offenses in the state include:
- Felonies include Murder, Manslaughter, Sexual Assault, Burglary, Drug Trafficking.
- Misdemeanors such as Assault, Petty Theft, and DUI.
- Juvenile cases
- Drug offenses
- Domestic violence.
In Hawaii, the court system addresses and manages all types of criminal cases, ensuring that justice is served while also focusing on rehabilitation when possible.
Civil Cases
Civil cases are resolved through the state's District and Circuit Courts, depending on the nature and complexity of the issue. Civil cases are vital in maintaining order in Hawaii, as they help resolve disputes and protect the rights of its residents. Some examples of civil cases include:
- Torts (Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Defamation).
- Contract disputes.
- Landlord-Tenant Disputes.
- Probate Cases.
- Family Law Cases.
- Environmental Cases.
- Property Disputes.
What Are the Different Courts in Hawaii?
Hawaii has a unified, state-funded court system with a two-level appellate structure, four judicial circuits of trial courts and specialized divisions, and an operating budget of about $214.6 million for fiscal year 2025–26.
| Court Level | Court Name | Jurisdiction | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appellate | Supreme Court | Statewide; five justices | Final appeals, court rules, attorney licensing and discipline |
| Appellate | Intermediate Court of Appeals | Appeals from circuit, family and district courts and state agencies | Hears most appeals first; its decisions can be reviewed by the Supreme Court |
| General Jurisdiction | Circuit Courts | Felony criminal, civil, probate and guardianship cases in four circuits | Serious criminal trials, major civil disputes, foreclosures and estates |
| General Jurisdiction | Family Courts | A division of the circuit courts handling family matters | Divorce, custody, paternity, adoption, juvenile cases and protective orders |
| Limited Jurisdiction | District Courts | Misdemeanors, traffic, parking, small claims and lower-value civil cases | Traffic and petty offenses, landlord-tenant and small claims disputes |
| Limited Jurisdiction | Land Court and Tax Appeal Court | Specialized courts staffed by circuit court judges | Land title registration and state tax appeals |
How Many Federal Courts Are in Hawaii?
Hawaii has one federal district court, known as the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. The court has four judges who are nominated by the U.S. President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. They serve lifetime terms. Decisions by the Hawaii District Court may be appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for further review. It is located in Honolulu. However, there is a U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii that deals with bankruptcy matters also located at Honolulu.
How Many Court Cases Are Filed Each Year in Hawaii?
Hawaii's courts received about 400,800 new filings in fiscal year 2025 (July 2024–June 2025), three-quarters of them traffic and parking matters, and terminated about 345,600 cases for an overall clearance rate of 86.2%. The table groups district, circuit and family court filings into mutually exclusive case types.
| Case Type | Annual Filings | % of Total | Common Offense/Subtype | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic | 302,071 | 75.4% | Parking and other traffic infractions, driving without a license or insurance, OVUII | 85.6% |
| Criminal | 39,329 | 9.8% | Misdemeanors and felonies: assault, theft, burglary, drug and domestic violence offenses | 93.3% |
| Civil | 22,201 | 5.5% | Contract and debt claims, foreclosures, summary possession, tort claims | 89.6% |
| Small Claims | 2,934 | 0.7% | Money owed, security deposits | 96.0% |
| Domestic Relations | 12,189 | 3.0% | Divorce, paternity, adoption, domestic abuse protective orders, guardianship | 101.7% |
| Juvenile | 4,702 | 1.2% | Law violation, status offense and abuse and neglect referrals | 96.6% |
| Other | 17,389 | 4.3% | Probate and trusts, land and tax appeal proceedings, temporary restraining orders, administrative reviews | 61.7% |
| Total | 400,815 | 100.0% | — | 86.2% |
How Do I Look Up Court Cases in Hawaii?
eCourt Kokua
eCourt Kokua is another online resource provided by the Hawaii State Judiciary. This system allows residents access to traffic cases, District Court criminal, Circuit Court criminal, and appellate case information. Similar to Ho`ohiki, you can search by party name, case number, or attorney name.
PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records)
PACER offers online access to federal case information for cases in Hawaii's U.S. District Court and Bankruptcy Court. To access detailed case documents, users are required to create a PACER account and pay a fee.
In-Person Court Visits
Residents in Hawaii have the option to access certain records that are not available online or that require certified copies, by visiting the courthouse where the case was filed. Court staff can assist in locating these records. Each island in Hawaii has courthouses for its respective judicial circuit.
Requesting Records by Mail
Individuals can also request copies of court records by mail. This option is useful if you need official copies or if the records are not available online. Contact the specific court where the case was filed to get information on the process and any fees involved.
Number of Active Judges — State & Federal
Hawaii's four circuits are served by Supreme Court justices, appellate and trial judges appointed through a merit selection commission, plus federal district judges appointed for life. State counts are authorized and funded full-time positions as of mid-2024, so they are shown as estimates.
| Court | Jurisdiction | Active Judges | Selection Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Supreme Court | Statewide appellate | 5 | Governor appoints from a Judicial Selection Commission list; Senate confirms; ten-year terms |
| Intermediate Court of Appeals | Statewide appellate | 7 | Governor appoints from a Judicial Selection Commission list; Senate confirms; ten-year terms |
| Circuit Courts (including Family Court judges) | General jurisdiction trial courts in four circuits | ~33 | Governor appoints from a Judicial Selection Commission list; Senate confirms; ten-year terms |
| District Courts (including Family Court judges) | Limited jurisdiction courts in four circuits | ~40 | Chief Justice appoints from a Judicial Selection Commission list; Senate confirms; six-year terms |
| U.S. District Court, District of Hawaii | Federal trial court | 4 | Presidential nomination and Senate confirmation; lifetime appointment |
| Total Active Judges | — | ~89 | — |
What Court Records Are Not Available to the Public in Hawaii?
Most Hawaii court records are open to the public; however, certain records are not available. This is to protect individuals' privacy and ensure confidentiality in sensitive cases.
Some of these records include:
- Adoption records, including the identity of biological parents and the details of the adoption proceedings.
- Juvenile Records related to delinquency and dependency, where a minor is involved.
- Divorce records are public; however, specific details, such as financial statements and child custody arrangements, are protected to maintain the privacy of the individuals involved.
- Criminal records that have been legally erased.
These restrictions are vital for protecting the privacy and safety of the parties involved. Access to these records may require a court order or specific authorization.
Average Case Processing Time & Clearance Rates
Processing times in Hawaii vary widely by case type: traffic and small claims matters are resolved in weeks or months, while felony, civil and contested family cases take a year or more. The figures below are estimates based on the Judiciary's FY2025 caseload data.
| Case Type | Court Level | Average Processing Time | Description | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic & Parking | Limited Jurisdiction | ~30–90 days | Most infractions are resolved by payment, a written statement or a short hearing before a district court judge | 85.6% |
| Small Claims | Limited Jurisdiction | ~2–4 months | Informal hearing in district court, usually without attorneys, followed by a judgment | 96.0% |
| Misdemeanor Criminal | Limited Jurisdiction | ~3–9 months | Arraignment, plea negotiations, and a bench or jury-demanded trial or plea | 93.9% |
| Civil Cases | General Jurisdiction | ~12–24 months | Pleadings, discovery and motions, with most cases settled or dismissed before trial | 84.2% |
| Domestic Relations | General Jurisdiction | ~3–12 months | Divorce, custody and support cases decided by agreement or a family court hearing | 101.7% |
| Felony Criminal | General Jurisdiction | ~9–18 months | Indictment or complaint, pretrial motions, then plea or jury trial in circuit court | 89.5% |