Hawaii Public Records /Hawaii Court Records Online

Hawaii Court Records Online

Are Court Records in Hawaii Open to the Public?

Yes, court records in Hawaii are open to the public. The Hawaii Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) mandates that all records generated and maintained by government agencies at all levels in the state are public. These records can be in written, electronic, visual, auditory, or other forms. Individuals can request public records in Hawaii without disclosing the purpose of their request.

To receive these records, requesters must provide specific details such as the case number, names of the litigants, and any other pertinent information that may aid in locating the records. However, certain records are exempt from disclosure to protect privacy and confidentiality, such as criminal investigations, medical information, personal files, and confidential government records.

What Information Appears in an Hawaii Court Records Search?

Correspondence related to the case
Exhibits presented in court
Docket entries
Minutes of proceedings
All items maintained by the court in connection with a judicial proceeding

How To Find Court Records in Hawaii

To find court records in Hawaii, individuals must know the court where the records are held and the type of case. Interested persons may visit the courthouses that heard the cases to inspect and copy court records, provided they are not exempt from public disclosure. The Hawaii State Judiciary has also created online databases for accessing public court records, such as eCourt Kokua and Ho'ohiki.

While many court records are available on these platforms, some may not be fully accessible or may have incomplete information. In such cases, the public may contact the clerks of the courthouses where the records are kept. The cost for obtaining records may vary, with regular copies typically costing around $3 and certified copies around $5.

Public Access to Hawaii Court Records

eCourt Kokua

The eCourt Kokua platform provides public access to court records from specific courts in Hawaii. It includes District Court civil and criminal cases, Circuit Court civil and criminal cases, Land Court, tax appeal court cases, Family (Adult) Court criminal cases, and traffic cases. Users can search for records by party name, vehicle information, or case ID.

Ho'ohiki

Ho'ohiki is another platform that allows access to information on civil cases filed in Family Courts. It provides daily updates on case information but does not offer access to court documents. Users can search for case information by name or case ID.

Searching Hawaii Court Records by Name

To search for court records by name, individuals can visit the courthouse where the case was heard or use the online case management systems like eCourt Kokua. The name-based search can include the record holder's name, the parties involved, the attorneys, or even the judges.

Users must log in as a guest, a returning user, or create a new account on eCourt Kokua. After logging in, they can enter the search criteria, such as the names of the parties involved. The system will then generate matching results, displaying the case number, party name, filing date, and other pertinent information.

How To Access Court Records Online for Free in Hawaii

Users can view case information for free on eCourt Kokua, although downloading documents incurs a fee. Regular copies cost $3, and certified copies cost $5. Users can also subscribe for unlimited single downloads of public documents for $125 per quarter.

Additionally, many courthouses provide public access computers for conducting free court record searches. This requires visiting the courthouse where the case was heard. Some third-party websites also offer low-cost options for accessing court records, but accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed.

Exemptions for Hawaii Court Case Lookup

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure to protect privacy and confidentiality. These include:

Records shielded by state or federal law
Court-protected records
Government records related to the prosecution or defense of any judicial or quasi-judicial action involving the State or any county
Current judicial proceeding records where the requesting agency is a party

These exemptions ensure that sensitive information remains confidential and that the integrity of ongoing judicial processes is maintained.

Finding a Court Docket in Hawaii

Dockets are typically maintained by a court clerk and are available to the public during business hours. They help keep track of upcoming court dates and deadlines, which is crucial for unrepresented litigants.

Courts in Hawaii provide access to dockets in both physical and digital formats. Interested parties can visit the courthouse to request a copy or access the dedicated online case management system used by the courthouse. The dockets assist courts with case management, case tracking, and punctual hearings.

What Information Is Found in Hawaii Judgment Records?

Hawaii judgment records contain the court’s decision on a case following a trial or examination of case facts. These records include:

Litigants’ names
Judge’s name
Judgment issued
Case number
Details of the court decision

To obtain these records, requesters must provide the case number and litigants’ names and be prepared to pay associated court fees.

Are Bankruptcy Records in Hawaii Publicly Accessible?

Yes, bankruptcy records in Hawaii are publicly accessible. These records contain financial information on persons or organizations that filed bankruptcy actions in the U.S federal court. To obtain these records, requesters must provide the petitioner’s name, case number, or case title.

Bankruptcy records can be accessed by visiting or contacting the District of Hawaii Bankruptcy Court via mail, phone, or the PACER platform. The cost for a court records search is $32, and certification of any document costs $11.

How To Search Bankruptcy Records in Hawaii

To find bankruptcy records in Hawaii, individuals can visit or contact the District of Hawaii Bankruptcy Court via mail or phone. They can also use the PACER platform. Mail requests can be sent to the courthouse or via email at copies@hib.uscourts.gov. Telephone requests can be made by dialing (808) 522-8100.

Requesters must provide the petitioner’s name, case number, or case title to facilitate the search. The cost for a court records search is $32, and certification of any document costs $11.

Different Types of Courts in Hawaii

Supreme Court: Highest authority, responsible for establishing court rules, disciplining attorneys, and issuing legal licenses.
Intermediate Court of Appeals: Hears most appeals from state trial courts and agencies.
Circuit Court: General jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, exclusive jurisdiction over felony cases, probate matters, and civil cases over $40,000.
District Court: Exclusive jurisdiction over landlord-tenant and traffic violation cases, civil cases, and disputes under $40,000.
Special Courts: Includes Family, Environmental, Land, and Tax Appeal Courts, each handling cases related to their specific areas.

Understanding the Differences Between Civil and Small Claims Courts in Hawaii

Small claims courts are divisions of the District Court dedicated to handling cases where the compensation sought is less than $5,000. These cases are resolved more quickly and informally than other court cases. Plaintiffs must be over 18 years old and are responsible for paying filing fees, which are $35 but may be waived in cases of financial difficulty.

Small claims courts handle:

Recovery of money where the amount contested is $5,000 or less
Cases involving the recovery of damages or repossession based on unauthorized removal of items from business premises
Disputes between residential landlords and tenants over security deposits
Return of rented or leased personal property worth less than $5,000

Civil courts handle more complex cases with higher stakes, including cases involving amounts over $40,000, probate matters, and felony criminal cases.

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