Hawaii Family Court Records

Hawaii family court records cover divorce, child custody, adoption, and domestic violence cases handled by the state judiciary. This guide explains how to find and access those records through Hawaii's four judicial circuits.

Where to Find Hawaii Family Court Records

The Hawaii State Judiciary runs two main online systems for family court records. The first is eCourt Kokua, the general public access portal that lets you search across traffic, district court, circuit court, family court, land court, tax appeal court, and appellate cases all in one place. Basic case data is free to view. The second system is Ho'ohiki, which focuses on Family Court civil case records going back to 1983.

Ho'ohiki is the better tool if you're looking for family court civil filings specifically. You can search by name, by case ID, or by a mix of circuit, case type, year, and number. The Ho'ohiki system page shows when the system is online and what circuits have records loaded. Both portals pull from the same underlying database, but Ho'ohiki gives you more filtering options built around family cases.

Case data updates every evening. That means records are current to within about 48 hours. A new filing from today won't show up until tomorrow at the earliest.

The Hawaii Family Courts page on the official judiciary site describes the court's mission and links out to each circuit's local resources. It's a good starting point if you're not sure which circuit handled a specific case.

The state judiciary's eCourt Kokua portal is the main gateway for public access to Hawaii family court case records across all circuits. It requires no login and no fee for basic case lookups.

The portal lets you look up family court filings by name, case number, or case type across all four circuits without any account or fee.

The official Hawaii Family Courts page gives an overview of what each circuit handles and links to circuit-specific resources including contact numbers and self-help services.

The page covers all four circuits and includes phone numbers for programs like Kids First and the Access to Justice Room at the First Circuit courthouse.

How to Search Family Court Records in Hawaii

Searching family court case records is straightforward once you know how Hawaii formats its case numbers. Since April 25, 2022, the state uses a new numbering system. A divorce case from the Third Circuit filed in 2022 would look like: 3FDV-22-0000001. The first digit is the circuit number (1 for Oahu, 2 for Maui, 3 for Hawaii Island, 5 for Kauai), followed by the case type code, then the two-digit year, then the sequential case number. The circuit number for Kauai skips four and goes straight to five because Hawaii's judicial circuit numbering has no Fourth Circuit.

Common case type codes include FDV for divorce, FAB for adult abuse, FAN for adoption, FCU for civil union, FDA for domestic abuse, FGD for guardianship, FPA for parentage act cases, FTM for termination of parental rights, FGV for gun violence, FGR for guardianship registration, and FFU for uniform child custody jurisdiction matters. When you search in eCourt Kokua, enter the full format (3FDV-22-0000001) or a shorter version (3FDV-22-1) and the system finds the same case either way.

No case number? Search by name. That's free through eCourt Kokua's online portal. If you're requesting records through the clerk's office and don't have the case number, there's a $5 name search fee per name.

The Ho'ohiki system availability page explains the case number format used for Family Court civil records going back to 1983 and shows which circuits are currently accessible online.

Knowing the circuit prefix and case type code helps confirm you've found the right case when multiple results come back for a common name search.

The eCourt Kokua FAQs page covers common search questions including how to read case status codes, what to do when a case doesn't appear in results, and how sealed records are handled in the system.

The FAQ is worth reading if you're new to the system or getting unexpected results when searching for a family court case.

Need to check an upcoming hearing date? The judiciary added a hearings search tool to eCourt Kokua in 2023, letting you look up scheduled court dates by case number or party name across all circuits.

The hearings tool updates regularly and covers all four circuits, so you can confirm a date, time, and courtroom for any upcoming family law proceeding before making the drive to the courthouse.

Types of Hawaii Family Court Records

Hawaii's family courts handle a wide range of matters. Civil family court filings cover divorce, legal separation, annulment, alimony, child custody, visitation, child support, paternity, civil union dissolution, adoption, guardianship, and termination of parental rights. The court also handles temporary restraining orders (TROs) and domestic abuse protection orders. So when people ask about "family court records," they're asking about a very broad category of case filings.

On the criminal side, family court has jurisdiction over cases involving minors and juveniles. That includes delinquency proceedings, truancy, and crimes committed by anyone under 18. Adult criminal cases that fall within the court's scope, like violations of domestic abuse protection orders, are also filed here. The court's docket is wide and not limited to divorce.

Not all family court records are public. Hawaii law specifically protects records involving minors in juvenile proceedings, child welfare service cases, adoptions, and many guardianship matters. Those files are sealed by default and won't appear in eCourt Kokua or at a public terminal. Sealed individual documents within otherwise public cases are also withheld from online access.

For records that are public, eCourt Kokua shows case parties, filing dates, docket entries, and hearing schedules. Document-level access costs $3 per download.

Accessing Records Online and In Person

Online access through eCourt Kokua and Ho'ohiki is free for basic case information. Document downloads cost $3 flat for any document up to 30 pages. Pages beyond 30 cost $0.10 each. If you pull a lot of records regularly, a subscription might be worth it: $125 per quarter or $500 per year covers unlimited downloads. Certified copies cost an extra $2 per document on top of the download fee.

For in-person access, go to the courthouse for the circuit where the case was filed. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. You fill out a Request to Access Court Records (HCRR) form at the clerk's window. Public access computer terminals are available at each courthouse so you can view records on-site at no cost. If you want paper copies, the clerk handles that at the window.

Mail requests work too, just slower. Include case info, party names, case number, the specific documents you want, how many copies, and whether you need certified copies. Payment by money order, cashier's check, or certified check only, personal checks aren't accepted for mail requests. Plan for 10 business days processing time plus another 15-20 days for the mailed response. Total turnaround can easily run a month.

The court locations and addresses page lists all Hawaii courthouse addresses, phone numbers, and hours for each circuit, including satellite locations.

Confirm the address and hours before you go since each circuit has different operating hours and some circuits have multiple locations serving different parts of the island.

For historical family court records going back before the online era, the Hawaii State Archives at 364 S. King Street, Honolulu (phone: 808-586-0329) holds court records from 1839 through 1970. These include civil, criminal, marriage, divorce, equity, probate, and wills filings. If you're researching a case from decades ago, the archives may be the only place to find it.

Court addresses by circuit: First Circuit (Oahu) at Ka'ahumanu Hale, 777 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, with a satellite Family Court at 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, HI 96707, phone (808) 954-8000. Second Circuit (Maui) at Hoapili Hale, 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793, phone (808) 244-2706. Third Circuit (Hawaii Island) at Hale Kaulike, 777 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, phone (808) 961-7440. Fifth Circuit (Kauai) at Pu'uhonua Kaulike Building, 3970 Ka'ana Street, Lihue, HI 96766, phone (808) 482-2300.

Hawaii Family Court Laws

The legal foundation for Hawaii's family courts is HRS Chapter 571, which defines family court jurisdiction across the state. Under HRS §571-11, the family court has exclusive original jurisdiction over juvenile proceedings, custody and visitation, adoptions under chapter 578, termination of parental rights, and temporary restraining orders involving family or household members. That exclusivity matters. These cases can only be filed in family court, not circuit or district court.

Public access to court records in Hawaii flows from HRS Chapter 92F, the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA). Under this law, government records are open to public inspection by default unless a specific legal exception applies. HRS §92F-11 requires agencies to respond to record requests within 10 business days. Courts fall under this framework, though court-specific rules also apply alongside UIPA.

Hawaii Court Records Rule 9, effective September 1, 2012, puts the burden on the filing party to protect personal information in court documents. Attorneys and self-represented litigants are responsible for redacting sensitive data before submitting paperwork. The court doesn't screen every filing for compliance. That responsibility sits with whoever files the document.

The HRS §571-11 statute page on Justia shows the full text of the family court jurisdiction law, including the specific subject matter categories covered by family court's exclusive authority.

The statute defines what types of cases fall under family court jurisdiction and spells out the court's authority over matters involving families, children, and domestic relationships.

An alternate version of HRS Chapter 571 via the Aloha.io project provides a readable backup if the Justia link is slow or you want a different layout for the same statute text.

This version of the statute is useful for cross-referencing the jurisdiction provisions against the specific case type codes used in Hawaii's new case numbering system.

Getting Copies of Hawaii Family Court Records

You have three ways to get copies: online download, in-person at the courthouse, or by mail. Online is fastest when you have a case number. Search eCourt Kokua, find the case, and purchase the documents. The $3 flat rate covers documents up to 30 pages. Anything longer runs $0.10 per page beyond 30. Certified copies add $2 per document. Heavy users can buy a subscription: $125 per quarter or $500 per year for unlimited downloads.

In-person requests let you use the courthouse's public terminals to view records free of charge. If you want paper copies, the clerk's office handles that at the window. Bring your case number and a photo ID. Fill out the HCRR form. For most standard requests, same-day processing is typical when you're there in person.

Mail takes time. Allow 10 business days for the court to process your request, then another 15-20 days for the mailed response to reach you. Prepay by money order or certified/cashier's check. Include the party names, case number, document type, number of copies, and whether you need them certified.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Hawaii's family courts offer several free resources for people who don't have a lawyer. The Family Court Access to Justice Room at First Circuit Family Court is staffed by family law attorneys who give free, short-term, confidential legal consultations. It's not full representation. But you can get answers to specific questions about your case and leave with a clearer sense of what to do next.

The Ho'okele Desk at the Kapolei courthouse (4675 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, HI 96707) offers one-on-one help with court forms and procedures. If you're filing a divorce petition or responding to a custody motion on your own, this resource is genuinely useful. Staff walk you through what each form is for and how to fill it out. They don't give legal advice, but they help you understand the paperwork so you don't make procedural mistakes that slow your case down.

Parents going through divorce with minor children are usually required to complete the Kids First education program. Contact numbers by circuit: First Circuit (808) 954-8280, Second Circuit (808) 244-2770, Third Circuit Kona (808) 322-8726 or Hilo (808) 896-6465, Fifth Circuit (808) 482-2330. The program focuses on how divorce affects kids and what parents can do to reduce conflict. It's a requirement, not optional, for most contested custody cases.

A TRO Hotline runs through First Circuit Family Court for people who need a temporary restraining order. The judiciary's self-help page links to forms, guides, and program info for all case types including divorce, custody, and guardianship. Call the First Circuit Legal Documents line at (808) 954-8310 with form questions.

Legal Navigator Hawaii's eCourt Kokua resource provides step-by-step guidance on using the online search system to find family court records and understand what the results mean.

Legal Navigator Hawaii is a nonprofit that helps residents find legal help and navigate court systems, including the online portals used to search family court records.

The UH Manoa Library guide to Hawaii courts is a strong research tool for historical cases and understanding how the state's court structure works across circuits.

The library guide covers print and online resources, court structure, statute research, and links to legal databases that include published Hawaii court opinions going back decades.

Are Family Court Records Public in Hawaii

Most Hawaii family court records are public. The state's Uniform Information Practices Act (HRS Chapter 92F) presumes that government records are open for public inspection unless a specific exception applies. Family court civil filings, divorce, custody, support, paternity, are generally available to anyone who asks or searches online.

The exceptions matter, though. Juvenile criminal records are sealed. Adoption files are confidential. Child welfare service records are protected. Guardianship cases involving minors may have restricted access. Cases that a judge has specifically ordered sealed are unavailable. Even within public cases, individual documents can be sealed if they contain protected personal information or if a party successfully moved to seal them.

Protective orders are a nuanced situation. The existence of a TRO or domestic abuse protection order may appear in public records, but specific details within those files are sometimes restricted to protect the safety of the person who sought the order.

If you're not sure whether a specific record is public, call the clerk's office at the relevant courthouse. The First Circuit Oahu contact page lists phone numbers and email contacts for the Honolulu courthouse staff.

The clerk's office can confirm what records are available for a specific case and explain what steps you need to take to get access to documents you're looking for.

Browse by Location

Hawaii Counties

Hawaii has five counties, each served by one of four judicial circuits. Family court filings are handled at the circuit level. Browse by county to find courthouse addresses, clerk contact info, and access options for that area.

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Major Hawaii Cities

Family court cases in Hawaii are filed by circuit, but most people search by city. Browse by city to find which courthouse handles cases in your area and what local services are available.

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