Hawaii County Court Records
Hawaii County court records are official legal documents that document the court proceedings of Hawaii’s courts, including criminal, civil, and family courts. These records serve as a case repository for judicial use purposes and keep citizens informed about their justice system. Examples of court records include judgments, motions, case filings, evidence, warrants, etc.
The Third Circuit Court, as mandated by Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 92F (Public Records Law), maintains court records in the county and keeps them updated as cases progress. County records are then relayed to them. They are maintained and disseminated by the Third Circuit Court, as mandated by court rules and Hawai’i’s public records law, which is the custodian of circuit and district courts in the state.
Although similar to other public records, such as arrest records, they differ in the amount of information on legal activity that they offer. Unlike arrest records, vital records, and federal case files, which only give information on an aspect of the court process, court records are holistic and can give insight into the case proceedings and status.
Are Hawaii County Court Records Public?
Yes, Hawaii court records are public. The Hawai’i Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 92F: Uniform Information Practices Act (Public Records Law) mandates transparency for record custodians keeping government records, including court records. This means that unless specifically exempted from public view, most court records, including criminal, probate, traffic, and civil court records, are available to the public upon request.
To protect ongoing cases and individuals’ privacy, some records may be restricted from unauthorized public access. These restricted court records include cases with personally identifiable information (PII), health and mental health records, expunged records, sealed records, some family court records (adoption, custody cases), and juvenile cases.
Hawaii County trial courts, which are under the Third Circuit, create and maintain court records within Hawaii County. The main courthouse for requesting these records is the Circuit Court (Hawaii - Third Circuit), but other courthouses exist at Kailua-Kona (West Hawaii) and Kamuela (South Kohala). The courthouses can be contacted in person or by phone to conduct a record search.
What Information is Available in Hawaii County Court Records?
Examples of information that can be found in Hawai’i County Court Records include the following:
- Complaints
- Petitions
- Judgements
- Orders
- Motions
- Pleadings
- Trial evidence or exhibits
- Warrants
- Case information (names of parties involved in the case, hearing dates, court transcripts)
- Case outcomes
Hawaii County Court Records Search
The Third Circuit Court primarily maintains Hawaii County court records under the supervision of the Hawai’i State Judiciary. To perform a search of these records, individuals can use online portals, search by phone or email, or visit courthouses in person.
- Online Access: The Hawai’i State Judiciary’s eCourt Kokua system is an online repository for state court cases in the state of Hawai’i. A search of this database can be conducted using the case number, names of parties involved in the case, and vehicle information. Court records, including criminal, civil, probate, and traffic court records, can be purchased through this online case management platform, but for confidential reasons, family and juvenile court records are restricted. They are also limited by not being as up to date as the information in the actual court houses (in cases of dockets, case status, scheduled hearings, etc.)
- In Person Access: Court records are available in person at the Hilo, Kona, or other courthouse locations in Hawaii County and can be accessed through the Third Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. There are computer public terminals at the courthouse through which a case search can be conducted, with court clerks available to assist the requesters in finding a case file. In-person record searches require a valid form of ID to access some records. Mail and phone requests: Armed with information about the case, such as the case number and party names, a person can contact the Clerk’s Office by mail or phone to request court records. To send a mail request, individuals send a written request in a self-addressed envelope and pay applicable fees by money order or cashier’s check to the Hawai’i State Judiciary. Contacting the Clerk’s Office by phone allows a confirmation of the case status, but detailed information on court records is not released over the phone.
Fees for Court Records in Hawaii County
Payment fees for court records are set according to the Hawai’i State Judiciary administrative rules and state law to ensure running costs are covered, and individuals can have access to certified records. It costs $0.50 per page for photocopies of criminal, civil, probate, and traffic court records. Certified copies of court records that carry the court’s seal cost $1 per page copy, with an additional $2 for certifying each document. The Hawai’i State Judiciary does not offer a subscription service, but court documents can be purchased as needed via the eCourt Kokua system. Fees are assessed per document retrieved. The Hawai’i Department of Health’s Vital Records Office also provides paid access to certified copies of vital records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, at $10 per certified copy.
Hawaii County Courthouse Locations
The contact information of Third Circuit courthouses by location can be found on the general directory provided on the Hawaii State Judiciary’s website. The addresses of the courthouses are as follows:
Circuit Court (Hawaii - Third Circuit)
Hale Kaulike
777 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawai’i 96720-4212
District and family court (Waimea)
67-5187 Kamamalu Street
Kamuela, Hawai’i 96743
Family court ( Kona)
77-6399 Nalani Street
Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i 96740
District court and Division 4 Circuit Court (Kona)
79-1020 Haukapila Street
Kealakekua, Hawai’i 96750
Division 3 Circuit Court (Kona)
81-940 Halekii Street
Kealakekua, Hawai’i 96750
Criminal Records Access in Hawaii County
The Hawaii County court does not handle state-level criminal history checks. Official state criminal records access is provided by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) under the guidance of the Department of the Attorney General. The HCJDC maintains Hawaii’s Adult Criminal Information (eCrim) site for accessing only arrest records that resulted in convictions.
Fingerprint-based criminal record checks can be used to determine an individual’s eligibility for employment, authorizations, licensing, and rental purposes. A state criminal record can be obtained by submitting fingerprint cards and paying the applicable fees.
Local case records, on the other hand, are handled by the Third Circuit Court in Hawai’i County. They can be accessed in person at the local courthouses or the court clerk’s office or online through the Hawai’i State Judiciary’s eCourt Kokua system.
Hawaii County Probate Records
Hawaii County probate records are court records that document probate matters, including the administration of estates, the management of properties, and the protection of minors and incapacitated individuals. Examples of probate records include wills and probate filings, estate records, conservatorships, trusts, and guardianships. The Third Circuit Court handles probate matters in Hawaii County, and they are overseen by the Hawai’i State Judiciary.
The Third Circuit Court makes probate records available in person and online upon request through the Hawaii State Judiciary’s eCourt Kokua system. The eCourt Kokua system has recent filings, but the most up-to-date probate records can be retrieved through an in-person record search at the courthouse. Access to older and more detailed probate records also requires an in-person visit to the courthouse. Not all probate records are publicly available. Guardianship records on minors and legally confidential conservatorships are restricted from unauthorized public access to protect the privacy of parties involved in the case.
Hawaii County Family Court Records
The third circuit court has family courts in Waimea and Kona, both under the Hawai’i State Judiciary. Family courts handle divorce, custody or adoption, child support, and some guardianships. Individuals can perform a search for family court records in person at the courthouse or online through the eCourt Kokua system. Under Hawaiian law, however, adoption records and juvenile records are restricted from unauthorized public access. Certified copies of records are available at the courthouse for $1 per page and $2 per certified document.
Federal Court Records in Hawaii County
The United States District Court for the District of Hawaii in Honolulu oversees federal court records in Hawaii County and across the state. The Clerk of Court for the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii maintains and makes these records available upon request by mail, phone, and in person at their office. Online access to federal court records is available through PACER, the Public Access to Court Electronic Records system. Registration is required to use PACER, and fees apply per page of search results viewed. The contact information of the clerk’s office is as follows:
Clerk’s Office
United States District Court District of Hawai’i
300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room C-338
Honolulu, HI 96850
Phone: (808) 541-1300
