Hawaii County Court Docket

Hawaii County court docket records cover filings from the Third Circuit Court in Hilo and Kona, as well as both District Courts that serve the Big Island. You can search these records online through the state's free eCourt Kokua system, or visit either courthouse in person to request copies of case documents, judgments, and other public filings.

Hawaii County Circuit Court Docket

The Third Circuit Court handles the most serious case types in Hawaii County. This includes felony criminal cases, civil matters where the amount in dispute exceeds $40,000, probate proceedings, guardianship, conservatorship, and estate administration. The court also has Land Court and Tax Appeal Court jurisdiction. Two courthouse locations serve different parts of the island, with the main courthouse in Hilo and a second facility in Kealakekua for the west side of the island.

The Hilo courthouse, known as Hale Kaulike, is the primary location for Third Circuit business. It handles cases from the east side of the island, including the Hilo, Puna, and Hamakua districts. Most probate filings and Land Court matters go through this location. The Kona courthouse in Kealakekua serves the west side, covering Kailua-Kona, Kealakekua, and the South and North Kona districts. Both locations keep the same business hours and charge the same copy fees.

Copy fees at both locations are $1.00 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost an additional fee. To get copies, you can visit the clerk's office in person during business hours, or submit a written request by mail. Walk-in requests are processed while you wait when staff capacity allows. Mailed requests may take additional processing time. Use form 1CP858 when submitting a written request for copies of court records.

Hawaii County District Court Records

The Third District Court in Hawaii County handles lower-level cases that do not rise to circuit court jurisdiction. This includes misdemeanor criminal charges, traffic violations, civil cases where the claimed amount is under $40,000, small claims cases under $5,000, landlord-tenant disputes, temporary restraining orders, and driver's license reinstatement hearings. District courts are often the first stop for people who need to resolve traffic tickets or minor criminal matters.

Hilo District Court shares the Hale Kaulike building at 777 Kilauea Avenue with the Circuit Court. The phone number for district court matters in Hilo is (808) 961-7200. Kona District Court operates from the Keakealani Building alongside the Kona Circuit Court at 79-1020 Haukapila Street in Kealakekua, reachable at (808) 322-8700. Both district court locations are open Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM. District court case records are searchable through the same eCourt Kokua portal used for circuit court cases, and the copy fee structure is the same across both court levels.

Small claims cases in district court offer a simplified path for individuals to resolve disputes involving amounts up to $5,000. No attorney is needed, and the process is designed to be accessible to people who represent themselves. These cases still generate docket records that can be searched and retrieved just like any other court filing.

Hawaii County Police Records

The Hawaii County Police Department maintains records separate from the court system, including police reports and traffic abstracts. The Records Division processes requests for these documents. The main office is in Hilo, with a district station on the west side of the island in Kailua-Kona. Both locations are designated public access sites for the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) system.

[Lead-in: The Hawaii County Police Department's main office in Hilo handles records requests and serves as a public access site for criminal history information.]

This location allows the public to access criminal history printouts through the HCJDC system for a fee of $25 per printout.

Police report requests can be submitted in person or by mail through the Records Division. Traffic abstracts, which show driving history and citation records, are also available through this office. These records are separate from court docket entries, but they often connect to cases that appear in the court system. For criminal history searches, the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center maintains a statewide database accessible through designated public access sites including both Hawaii County police locations.

How to Search the Hawaii County Court Docket Online

The Hawaii State Judiciary provides free public access to court docket information through eCourt Kokua. This online portal lets you search cases by party name, case number, or attorney. You can view docket entries, scheduled hearing dates, and case status information. eCourt Kokua covers cases from all circuits, including the Third Circuit serving Hawaii County. The system is available around the clock and does not require you to create an account.

To search Hawaii County cases, go to the eCourt Kokua website and select the Third Circuit from the location filter. You can narrow results by case type, such as criminal, civil, or traffic. The docket entries show the dates and descriptions of filings but do not always include the full text of documents. To get actual copies of filings, you still need to contact the clerk's office directly or visit in person. The online system is best used to find case numbers, check hearing schedules, and confirm that a case exists before making a formal records request.

For criminal history searches beyond what eCourt Kokua shows, the eCrim system maintained by the Attorney General's office provides access to the statewide criminal history database through authorized channels. Public walk-in access to this system is available at the HCJDC public access sites, which include both Hawaii County police locations mentioned above.

Detailed guidance on what records are available and how to request them is published on the Hawaii State Judiciary's records access page. This page explains the difference between what is available online, what requires an in-person visit, and what types of records may be sealed or restricted from public view.

Hawaii County Court Records Rules and UIPA

Access to court records in Hawaii is governed by the Hawaii Court Records Rules, which set out what is public, what is restricted, and how requests must be handled. These rules apply to all circuit and district court records across the state, including those generated by the Third Circuit in Hawaii County. The rules were adopted by the Hawaii Supreme Court and carry the force of law.

The Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) is Hawaii's primary public records law, and it covers records held by government agencies. Court records have their own separate framework under the Court Records Rules, but the UIPA applies to records held by other county and state agencies, including the police department. If you are denied access to a record and believe you have a right to it, the UIPA provides a formal process for filing a complaint with the Office of Information Practices.

Some case types carry automatic restrictions on public access. Juvenile delinquency records are confidential under state law. Mental health commitment records, adoption records, and certain family court matters involving minors are also restricted. Even where records are restricted, parties to the case and their attorneys generally retain access rights. The clerk's office can tell you whether a specific case is sealed or restricted before you make a formal request.

When records are available, you have the right to inspect them in person at no cost. Copies carry the standard $1.00 per page fee. Certified copies cost more and may require additional processing time. If you need records for legal proceedings, always confirm with the clerk whether plain copies or certified copies are required.

Cities in Hawaii County

Hilo is the county seat and the largest city on the Big Island. It is the main hub for Third Circuit court activity on the east side of the island.

Other Hawaii Counties

Court docket records for the other Hawaii counties are handled by separate circuits and courthouses. Each county page has contact details and search guidance specific to that area.