Hawaii County Court Records Search
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Hawaii County — often called the Big Island to distinguish it from the state itself — encompasses the largest landmass in the Hawaiian archipelago. Its court system operates under the Third Circuit of the Hawaii State Judiciary and serves residents through courthouses in Hilo, Kona, and Waimea. The Third Circuit includes a Circuit Court division, a District Court division, and a Family Court division, each handling distinct categories of cases. Understanding where to direct your search and which office maintains the records you need can save considerable time, particularly given the geographic spread of the island’s court facilities.
Individuals looking for court case information in Hawaii can begin by consulting the resources provided by the state judiciary. HawaiiCourts.us may help users identify publicly available case data and locate relevant court offices. Beyond that, records can be searched through the Judiciary’s electronic portal known as eCourt Kokua, by contacting or visiting the clerk’s offices at each courthouse, or through public access terminals available at court locations. The approach that works best depends on the type of record, the age of the case, and whether a certified copy is needed.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hawaii County?
Hawaii County court cases can be searched online or in person. The primary electronic tool is eCourt Kokua, a public interface for the Judiciary Information Management System (JIMS). This portal covers traffic cases, District Court and Circuit Court criminal and civil matters, Family Court criminal and civil cases, Tax Appeal Court proceedings, Land Court cases, and appellate filings.
Searching through eCourt Kokua
- Navigate to the eCourt Kokua disclaimer page and accept the terms.
- Select a search type: Party Search, Case Search, Vehicle Search, Upcoming Court Hearings Search, or View/Purchase Documents.
- Enter available details such as party name, case number, or vehicle information.
- Review results and, if needed, purchase document copies electronically.
Note that eCourt Kokua displays official case data but does not include every document from the court file. Certified copies must be obtained in paper form from the courthouse.
In-Person Searches
Requesters may visit any of the Third Circuit courthouse locations during business hours to inspect or request copies of records. A request should include the name of at least one party, the case number (if known), the case type, and the court in which the case was filed. Pursuant to the Hawaii Court Records Rules (HCRR), the clerk may ask for a written request using HCRR Form 3.
Third Circuit Courthouse Locations
| Location | Address | Key Phone Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Hilo (Hale Kaulike) | 777 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720 | Court Administrator: (808) 961-7440; Legal Documents: (808) 961-7400; District Court: (808) 961-7470 |
| Kona (Keahuolu Courthouse) | 74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 | General: (808) 322-8700; Legal Documents: (808) 322-8750 |
| Waimea (South Kohala District Court) | 67-5187 Kamamalu Street, Kamuela, HI 96743 | General: (808) 443-2030 |
Hours of operation for all Third Circuit courthouses are 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state holidays. Counter hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Copy Fees
Fees for paper copies of court documents are set by the Rules of the Circuit Courts and District Courts:
- $1.00 for the first page of each document
- $0.50 for each additional page
- Documents stored off-site incur an additional $5.00 retrieval charge plus the copying fee
- Certification under seal costs $2.00
- Telefaxing within Hawaii: $2.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page
- Expedited or rush requests (copies provided within four hours): $10.00 plus applicable copy charges
Are Court Records Public in Hawaii County?
Court records in Hawaii County are generally accessible to the public. Two overlapping legal frameworks govern access: the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), codified in HRS Chapter 92F, and the Hawaii Court Records Rules (HCRR), which were adopted by the Hawaii Supreme Court and apply specifically to judiciary records.
Under HCRR Rule 10.1, court records are accessible during regular business hours, subject to the court’s own priority use. When requested records are available remotely through eCourt Kokua at no cost, the clerk may direct the requestor to that system instead of making physical copies.
Records that are not publicly accessible include:
- Documents designated confidential, protected, restricted, or sealed under HCRR Rule 2.9
- Personal information such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, names of minor children, and bank account numbers (HCRR Rule 2.19)
- Materials submitted for in camera judicial review (HCRR Rule 10.5)
- Family court records involving juveniles, which are generally confidential under HRS § 571-84
- Records exempted under UIPA (HRS § 92F-13), including those relating to personal privacy, ongoing government investigations, and matters protected by court order
- Adoption records
- Sealed records, including certain expunged criminal records
Parties must use a Confidential Information Form (HCRR Form 2) and an accompanying fly sheet (HCRR Form 1) when filing documents containing personal information. This procedure ensures that sensitive data remains segregated from the publicly accessible portion of the file.
If access to a confidential record is denied, the requestor may file a motion with the court within ten days of the denial. The clerk will notify all parties, and any party may file an opposition within ten days. Review of a final access determination can be sought by petitioning the Hawaii Supreme Court under Rule 21 of the Hawaii Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Hawaii County Criminal Court Records
Criminal felony cases in Hawaii County are prosecuted in the Third Circuit Court, while misdemeanor offenses, traffic infractions, and criminal offenses punishable by up to one year of incarceration fall within the jurisdiction of the Third Circuit District Court. Both types of criminal case records are searchable through eCourt Kokua by party name or case number.
In-Person Criminal Record Access
To request records in person, visit the Legal Documents Section at the relevant courthouse. For felony matters filed in Hilo, contact Legal Documents at (808) 961-7400. For Kona cases, call (808) 322-8750. Bring specific case details and a government-issued photo ID.
The Criminal Division at the General Division of the Circuit Court handles all felony indictments returned by the grand jury. After an indictment, the clerk creates and issues either an arrest warrant or a summons.
Criminal History Background Checks
Court case searches through eCourt Kokua or the clerk’s office show individual case records but are not equivalent to a comprehensive criminal history check. For a full arrest record search covering the State of Hawaii, individuals must submit to a fingerprint-based check administered by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC).
- In-office appointments: Call (808) 587-3279 to schedule. The service fee is $55. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed 12:00–1:00 p.m. for lunch and on state holidays). Download the HCJDC-073 form before your visit. Optional certification adds $20; notarization is available at no extra cost. Accepted payment: credit, debit, Apple Pay, money order, or cashier’s check payable to “State of Hawaii”. No cash. A 3% non-refundable fee applies to electronic payments.
- By mail: The service fee is $35. Contact the CHRC Unit at (808) 587-3279 to obtain a fingerprint packet. Have your fingerprints taken at a local law enforcement agency and mail the completed packet to:
Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
Attn: CHRC Unit
465 S. King Street, Room 102
Honolulu, HI 96813
Processing takes 3–5 business days, or 7–10 business days if notarization is requested. Payment by money order or cashier’s check only.
Local Fingerprinting and Criminal Abstracts
The Hawaii Police Department offers fingerprinting services and local criminal abstracts (Hawaii-only background checks) at its Hilo and Kona stations. The fee is $25.00 per fingerprint card or abstract copy, payable by cashier’s check or money order to “Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center”. Hilo hours are Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Kona hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Non-conviction criminal history information is generally accessible only to criminal justice agencies and certain authorized entities, as outlined under HRS Chapter 704.
Hawaii County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Hawaii County is split between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the amount in controversy and the type of action.
Circuit Court — handles civil cases where the disputed amount exceeds $40,000, as well as appeals from District Court civil judgments. It shares concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court for non-jury civil cases involving amounts between $10,000 and $40,000. Filing a civil complaint in Circuit Court costs $315, which includes the Indigent Legal Services Surcharge. A demand for jury trial adds $200.
District Court — handles civil claims up to $40,000, summary possession (eviction) actions, ejectment proceedings without real estate title disputes, specific performance cases valued under $20,000, and petitions for temporary restraining orders and injunctions against harassment. The District Court also adjudicates small claims cases where the amount in dispute is $5,000 or less.
District Court Filing Fees (selected)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular civil complaint | $155.00 |
| Summary possession complaint | $155.00 |
| Small claims | $35.00 |
| Temporary restraining order | $15.00 |
| Foreign judgment | $220.00 |
| Counterclaim/cross-claim (regular) | $65.00 |
| Counterclaim/cross-claim (small claims) | $10.00 |
| Demand for jury trial (District Court) | $200.00 |
| Appeal to appellate court (civil) | $285.00 |
The full fee schedules for both courts are published by the Hawaii State Judiciary: Circuit Court fees and District Court fees.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records for both courts are available through eCourt Kokua. In-person requests should be directed to the Legal Documents Section at the Hilo courthouse — (808) 961-7400 — or the Kona courthouse — (808) 322-8750. For District Court civil and small claims inquiries in Hilo, the dedicated line is (808) 961-7515.
Hawaii County Family Court Records
The Third Circuit Family Court handles a wide range of matters involving domestic relations and minors. Its jurisdiction includes divorce, annulment, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, guardianship of minors, juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect, and civil restraining orders related to domestic violence and abuse of family or household members.
Family Court offices are located at all three Third Circuit courthouses:
- Hilo: (808) 961-7500 (general Family Court); (808) 961-7670 (adoption records, juvenile intake)
- Kona: (808) 443-2112 (general Family Court, documents, domestic abuse/TROs); (808) 443-2190 (juvenile intake)
- Waimea: (808) 443-2112 (documents, domestic abuse/TROs); (808) 443-2000 (juvenile intake)
Family Court forms are available online and at each courthouse. For assistance completing TRO forms, contact Child & Family Service at (808) 935-2188 (Hilo/South Kohala) or (808) 323-2664 (Kailua-Kona).
Confidentiality of Family Court Records
Under HRS § 571-84, Family Court records other than social records are open to inspection only by specific categories of individuals: the parties and their attorneys, institutions or agencies to which a minor has been committed, guardians, and persons demonstrating a legitimate interest in the welfare of the minor. Social records (reports filed during proceedings) have even more restricted access. Adoption records carry additional layers of confidentiality.
Certain Family Court adult criminal matters and civil proceedings are publicly accessible through eCourt Kokua. However, records involving juvenile proceedings are not displayed on the public portal.
Marriage Records
Marriage records are maintained by the Hawaii State Department of Health, not the courts. Certified copies are available only to persons with a direct and tangible interest, as defined in HRS § 338-18. Eligible individuals include the registrant, spouse, parent, descendant, legal guardian, or estate representative. Requests can be submitted online or by mail using the marriage record request form. Certified copies cost $10.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy, plus a $2.50 general administration fee per five copies. Persons who do not qualify for a certified copy may request a Letter of Verification for $5.00 under HRS § 338-14.3.
Divorce Records
The Department of Health maintains divorce records only for divorces finalized between January 1951 and December 2002. For divorce decrees outside that range, contact the court directly: Hilo Legal Documents Branch at (808) 961-7404 or the Kona courthouse at (808) 443-2112.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are issued by the Department of Health under the same eligibility rules (HRS § 338-18) and fee structure described above for marriage records. Birth records can be ordered online or by mail. Death certificates cannot be ordered online and must be requested in person or by mail. All mail requests go to:
State Department of Health
Office of Health Status Monitoring
Issuance/Vital Statistics Section
P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801
In-person requests can be made at the Department of Health’s Honolulu office at 1250 Punchbowl Street, Room 103, open Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Hawaii County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Hawaii County fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Third Circuit Court. The court handles estate administration (both testate and intestate), guardianships of incapacitated persons, conservatorships, and trust proceedings. The Estate and Guardianship Branch in Hilo can be reached at (808) 961-7650. For probate filing fees, which vary depending on the type of proceeding, contact the Estate and Guardianship Branch directly, as the filing fee schedule directs requesters to do so.
Common Probate Filings
The Circuit Court filing fee for probate, conservatorship, conservator-guardianship, trust, or equity proceedings is set on a case-by-case basis through the Estate and Guardianship Branch. The general Circuit Court civil filing fee of $315 may apply as a baseline for certain probate matters. Specific deposits or fees for particular filings should be confirmed before submission.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records are accessible through eCourt Kokua using the Case Search or Party Search functions. Select the Third Circuit and the appropriate case type to locate probate filings. In-person access is available at the Hilo courthouse (Hale Kaulike, 777 Kilauea Avenue) during regular business hours. For cases filed in Kona, contact the Keahuolu Courthouse at (808) 322-8700.
Standard copy fees apply: $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Certification adds $2.00. If the probate file has been sent to off-site storage, there is a $5.00 retrieval charge in addition to the copying fees. The clerk must make the record available within a reasonable time after the request is made; if the request cannot be fulfilled within ten business days, the clerk will notify the requestor with an estimated date.
Probate forms adopted by the Hawaii Supreme Court are available on the Judiciary website. Individuals who need guidance on which forms to file or how to proceed without an attorney may visit the Self-Help Center at the Keahuolu Courthouse in Kona or consult the Clermont County Law Library resources available at each courthouse location. The Hilo law library can be reached at (808) 961-7438 and the Kona law library at (808) 322-8729.
Property records for Hawaii County, while not court records, are often sought alongside probate and estate matters. They can be accessed through the County of Hawaii Real Property Tax Office or the online property database, which allows searches by parcel number, owner name, or property address.