Kailua Court Docket Search

Kailua court docket records are maintained through the Hawaii State Judiciary's First Circuit system and are available to the public online and in person at the Kaneohe District Court. If you need to find a case filed in Kailua, search by name or case number using the state's eCourt Kokua portal, or visit the courthouse on Pookela Street in Kaneohe. Both criminal and civil cases covering Windward Oahu are accessible, and most active docket entries can be found through the free online search tool without a trip to the courthouse.

Kaneohe District Court

Kailua is part of the Windward Oahu judicial division and does not have its own courthouse. All district court cases originating in Kailua are processed at the Kaneohe District Court, located at 45-939 Pookela Street, Kaneohe, HI 96744. The phone number is 808-534-6300. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you need to file something or ask about a case, those are the hours when counter staff are available.

Kaneohe District Court handles a broad range of case types for all of Windward Oahu. That includes misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil claims up to $40,000, and small claims up to $5,000. The court also has jurisdiction over landlord-tenant disputes and temporary restraining orders. Public access terminals are available inside the courthouse for anyone who wants to look up docket entries on site. The Legal Documents Branch is also located there, which is helpful if you need to get certified copies or file new documents.

For felony cases and major civil matters involving Kailua residents, those go to Ka'ahumanu Hale at 777 Punchbowl Street in Honolulu. That is the main First Circuit Court building for the entire island. Family court cases, including those involving child custody or divorce, are handled at the Ronald T.Y. Moon Judiciary Complex in Kapolei. The phone for that court is 808-954-8310. Knowing which building handles your case type saves a trip.

Search Kailua Court Records Online

The Hawaii State Judiciary provides free public access to court docket records through eCourt Kokua. This is the main tool for searching active and recent cases. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show case status, hearing dates, document filings, and docket activity. The system covers all circuit and district court cases statewide, so a search here will pull up both district-level Kailua cases and First Circuit matters.

The eCourt Kokua portal does not require a login or an account. It is open to anyone with internet access. Most civil, criminal, and traffic cases are listed there. Some records may be sealed or restricted by court order, and those will not appear in the public results. Juvenile cases are also not available through the public portal. For those, you need to contact the court directly and explain your legal relationship to the case.

You can also check the eCrim public access site run by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. That system focuses on criminal conviction records and is useful if you want to find out whether someone has a conviction record rather than just an open case. The eCrim tool shows conviction data from courts statewide. It is a separate system from eCourt Kokua and serves a different purpose, so it is worth using both if you are doing a thorough search.

The screenshot below is from the First Circuit District Court page, which lists Kaneohe District Court among the division locations serving Kailua.

This page on the judiciary website shows the courthouse locations and contact details for all First Circuit district divisions including Kaneohe.

In-Person Access and Certified Copies

If you need an official certified copy of a court document, you have to go in person or submit a written request by mail. The Kaneohe District Court clerk's office can pull case files, make copies, and certify them. Copies cost $1.00 per page. Certification adds a small additional fee. Bring the case number if you have it, and bring a photo ID. Staff can usually locate records quickly if you have that basic information ready.

Some older records are archived and may not be available at the Kaneohe location. For older circuit court records, the Legal Documents Branch at Ka'ahumanu Hale in Honolulu is the right place to go. They handle archived case files and can assist with requests for documents from closed matters. Call ahead if your case is more than a few years old, as there may be a wait for retrieval.

Written requests are also accepted by mail. Send a letter that includes the case number, party name, the documents you want, and a check for the estimated copy cost. Include a self-addressed envelope. Processing times vary, but most mail requests are handled within a few business days if the file is active. Archived cases can take longer. There is no online ordering system for certified copies at this time.

Police Records for Kailua

Kailua is served by the Honolulu Police Department. Criminal incident reports and arrest records from HPD are separate from court docket records. To get a police report, contact the HPD Records Section at 801 South Beretania Street, Honolulu. The phone number is (808) 723-3258. You can also send a request by email to recordsrequest@honolulupd.org. There is a fee for police report copies, and requests must include identifying information about the incident.

The screenshot below shows the HPD Police Reports page, which explains the request process for Kailua and all other areas served by the Honolulu Police Department.

HPD's online records request page outlines what information is needed and how to submit requests for incident reports involving Kailua addresses.

Police records and court docket entries often cover the same case but are different documents kept by different agencies. An arrest report from HPD will show what officers documented at the scene. A court docket will show what happened after charges were filed, including hearings, motions, and verdicts. Both are public records subject to their own rules and redaction policies.

For statewide criminal records, the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center maintains conviction data. The HCJDC also runs public access terminals at several courthouse locations where you can do a more detailed criminal history query. Access fees may apply depending on the search type. The HCJDC is a division of the Hawaii Attorney General's office.

Court Rules and Record Access Law

Access to court records in Hawaii is governed by the Hawaii Court Records Rules, which the state Supreme Court adopted to balance public access with privacy protections. Under these rules, most court records are open to the public. Certain categories of documents are restricted, including records in cases involving minors, certain family court matters, and records sealed by judicial order. You can review the full rules at the Hawaii Court Rules page on the judiciary website.

Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act, known as UIPA, also applies to records held by government agencies. While UIPA primarily covers executive branch agencies rather than courts, it is relevant when requesting records from the Honolulu Police Department or other non-judicial offices. The Office of Information Practices handles UIPA questions and publishes guidance on what records agencies must disclose.

For a general overview of how to access court records, the judiciary posts a guide at the How to Access Court Records page. It walks through the process for both online searches and in-person requests, and it explains which record types are restricted.

Honolulu County Court Docket

Kailua is part of Honolulu County, and all circuit court matters for the city are handled through the First Circuit Court system based in Honolulu. The county court docket page has information on all divisions serving the island of Oahu.

View Honolulu County Court Docket

Nearby Cities

These communities are nearby and also use the First Circuit court system.