Hilo Family Court Records
Hilo family court records are maintained by the Third Circuit Court at Hale Kaulike, which serves as the main family court facility for the entire island of Hawaii. As the county seat of Hawaii County, Hilo is home to the only family court on the Big Island, handling divorce, custody, adoption, guardianship, domestic violence orders, and other family law matters for residents across the island. This guide covers how to find and request these records in person, by mail, and online.
Hilo Overview
Hilo Family Court
All family court cases for Hilo and the island of Hawaii are handled at Hale Kaulike, located at 777 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720. The main courthouse number is (808) 961-7500. The District Court shares this facility and can be reached at (808) 961-7470. Hale Kaulike sits in central Hilo near the state and county government complex, making it easy to reach from most parts of the city.
The Legal Documents Branch handles all record requests for Third Circuit cases. Contact them at (808) 961-7400, fax (808) 961-7493, or by email at hilolegaldocs.3cc@courts.hawaii.gov. Their mailing address is 777 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720-4212. In-person hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
| Court | Hale Kaulike, Third Circuit Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 777 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720 |
| Phone | (808) 961-7500 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Website | courts.state.hi.us |
County That Handles Hilo Records
Hilo is the county seat of Hawaii County, which covers the entire Big Island. The Third Judicial Circuit serves Hawaii County, and Hale Kaulike in Hilo is the only family court facility on the island. All family law filings from across the Big Island, from Kona on the west side to Puna and Ka'u in the south, are processed through the Hilo courthouse.
This means that even residents from Kailua-Kona or Waimea must file family court documents in Hilo. The distance can be significant, particularly for residents on the west side of the island, where the drive to Hilo takes 1.5 to 2 hours. For those residents, online tools like eCourt Kokua and mail-in requests are especially useful alternatives to making the trip in person.
How to Find Hilo Family Court Records
The eCourt Kokua online search tool provides free access to basic case information 24 hours a day. Search by name, case ID, or citation number. Results include party names, case type, hearing dates, and case status. The system is straightforward and does not require an account or login.
Ho'ohiki is the dedicated system for family court civil cases from 1983 to the present. You can filter searches by circuit, selecting the Third Circuit for Hilo and Hawaii Island cases. Use name, case ID, or the combination of circuit, case type, and filing year to find what you need.
In person, the Legal Documents Branch at Hale Kaulike is the place to go. Bring a valid photo ID. If you know the case number, bring it, as this speeds up the search. Staff can search by name if you don't have a case number, though a $5 name search fee applies. Court hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
You can also email record requests to hilolegaldocs.3cc@courts.hawaii.gov. Include the case number or party names, the type of documents you need, and your mailing address. Allow 10 business days for a response, and 15 to 20 days if you submitted by mail rather than email.
Note: Adoption records, sealed juvenile files, and records involving child welfare cases are not available through standard public records requests and require a court order to access.
Accessing and Copying Records in Hilo
Document copy fees at Hale Kaulike follow statewide rates. Copies of 1 to 30 pages cost $3. Certified copies add $2 to that amount. If you don't know the case number and need a name search, that costs $5. For cases with large file volumes, ask the clerk how many pages are in the file before submitting your request so you can estimate the total cost.
Mail requests take 10 to 15 business days in most cases, and up to 20 business days during busy periods. Email requests are processed on a similar schedule but may be slightly faster. In-person requests handled at the counter on the same day generally take less time, depending on the volume of work at the branch.
The Hawaii Family Court forms page has downloadable forms for common filings, which is helpful if you are also preparing to file documents at the same time you request copies of existing ones.
Types of Family Court Records
Hilo's Third Circuit Family Court handles a broad range of case types. Divorce and legal separation filings include records of property division, spousal support, and name changes. Custody and visitation cases produce orders that are part of the public court file in most instances. Adoption and guardianship records are also processed here, though adoption files are sealed after finalization and not available to the general public.
Domestic violence TROs and protective orders are a significant part of the docket. Paternity actions, child support orders, and enforcement filings are filed here as well. Juvenile matters, including status offense cases and delinquency proceedings, are handled by the family court under HRS §571-11. Juvenile records are generally confidential, particularly for cases involving minors under 18.
Legal Help in Hilo
Hilo has several in-person resources for people navigating family court. The Self-Help Center at Hale Kaulike is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on a walk-in basis. Call (808) 961-0609 for information. The center is on the first floor and helps with forms and basic procedural questions.
The Law Library at Hale Kaulike, phone (808) 961-7438, is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It has legal research resources and self-help materials on family law topics. Adoption-related questions can be directed to (808) 961-7670. For domestic violence and TRO matters, call (808) 969-7798.
Kids First, the family court program that assists children affected by divorce and custody cases, is available in Hilo at (808) 896-6465. The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program can be reached at (808) 961-7672. Juvenile intake and probation questions go to (808) 961-7670 as well.
The East Hawaii Children's Justice Center at 1290 Kinoole Street, Hilo, HI 96720, phone (808) 933-1605, provides support services for children involved in abuse and neglect cases that may intersect with family court proceedings.
The Third Circuit contact page gives full contact details for Hilo court staff and departments.
Hawaii Judiciary Third Circuit contact page for Hilo family court departments
Use this page to find the right phone number or email for any Hale Kaulike department before visiting or submitting a request.
Public Records and Privacy in the Third Circuit
Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), codified in HRS Chapter 92F, gives the public the right to access government records, including most court filings. The court must respond to record requests within 10 business days under HRS §92F-11. For family court records, most civil filings, including divorce, custody, and guardianship cases, are public records unless sealed by the court.
Sealed records include adoption files after finalization, records in child welfare cases, and most juvenile proceedings. If you need access to a sealed file for a legal reason, you would need to file a motion requesting the court to unseal it. An attorney can help you understand the process. General questions about what is and isn't public can be directed to the Legal Documents Branch at (808) 961-7400.
Family Court on Hawaii Island
Hilo is the only city on Hawaii Island with a qualifying population and the only location for Third Circuit family court services. Residents across the Big Island, from Kona to Puna to Ka'u, all file family court cases at Hale Kaulike in Hilo. For county-level information, see the Hawaii County family court records page. For statewide resources, visit the Hawaii Family Court Records home page.