Kahului Family Court Records
Kahului family court records are filed and maintained by the Second Circuit Court at Hoapili Hale in nearby Wailuku. As the largest town in Maui County, Kahului is just a short drive from the Second Circuit family courthouse, which handles all family law matters for Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, including divorce, child custody, adoption, guardianship, and domestic violence TROs. This guide walks through how to find Kahului family court records online, in person, and by mail.
Kahului Overview
Kahului Family Court
Kahului does not have a family court of its own. Family law matters for Kahului residents are handled at Hoapili Hale, 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793, (808) 244-2700. Wailuku is just 10 to 15 minutes west of Kahului, making it one of the more convenient family court commutes in the state. The District Court shares this same facility and can be reached at (808) 244-2846.
The Legal Documents Branch at Hoapili Hale handles all record requests for Second Circuit cases. Their contact information is: Room 106, 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793-1679; phone (808) 244-2752; fax (808) 244-2932. Court hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. In-person visits to the documents counter are accepted during these hours.
| Court | Hoapili Hale, Second Circuit Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793 |
| Phone | (808) 244-2700 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Website | courts.state.hi.us |
County That Handles Kahului Records
Kahului is part of Maui County and falls within the Second Judicial Circuit. The Second Circuit covers Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Hoapili Hale in Wailuku is the main courthouse for the Second Circuit and the only family court facility serving the entire county. All family court filings from Kahului, along with the rest of Maui County, are stored and managed here.
Because Kahului and Wailuku are essentially adjacent communities, the short distance between them makes Hoapili Hale one of the most accessible family courts in Hawaii for the local population. Most Kahului residents can get to the courthouse in under 15 minutes. For records requests that don't require a personal visit, the online tools and mail-in options work just as well.
How to Search Kahului Family Court Records
eCourt Kokua is the primary online tool for searching Second Circuit family court records. It is free, available 24 hours a day, and lets you search by name, case ID, or citation number. Select the Second Circuit when filtering results to focus on Maui County cases. Basic case data is free to view without an account.
Ho'ohiki covers family court civil cases from 1983 to the present. Filter by the Second Circuit and narrow by case type and year to find what you need. This is especially useful when you have approximate information about when a case was filed but don't have the exact case number.
For in-person searches, visit the Legal Documents Branch at Hoapili Hale during business hours. Bring a photo ID. If you have the case number, bring it. The branch staff can search by name for a $5 fee if the case number is unknown. The court is an easy drive from most parts of Kahului.
Note: Records involving adoptions, sealed cases, and child welfare matters are not accessible through public searches and require a court order for access.
Accessing and Copying Records
To request copies of Kahului family court documents, contact the Legal Documents Branch at Hoapili Hale: phone (808) 244-2752, fax (808) 244-2932. Mail requests go to: Legal Documents Branch, Hoapili Hale, Room 106, 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793-1679.
Statewide document fees apply. Copies of 1 to 30 pages cost $3. Certified copies add $2. A name search costs $5 when you don't have a case number. Mail requests take at least 10 business days. Given how close Kahului is to Wailuku, in-person requests are a practical option for most residents and are usually processed faster than mailed requests.
The Hawaii Family Court forms page has downloadable forms for common filings, which is helpful if you plan to file documents at the same visit where you pick up copies of existing records. Bring the right forms to avoid a second trip.
Types of Family Court Records
Second Circuit family court records for Kahului cases cover the full range of family law matters. Divorce and legal separation filings, child custody and visitation orders, child support records, adoption petitions, and guardianship applications are all filed at Hoapili Hale. Paternity actions and domestic violence TROs involving household members are also part of the docket.
Adoption records are sealed after finalization. Juvenile records are generally restricted and not available to the public. Records in child welfare cases are also typically sealed. Most other civil family court records are public. The family court has jurisdiction over these matters under HRS §571-11. Access to records is governed by Hawaii's UIPA law (HRS Chapter 92F), which requires the court to respond to records requests within 10 business days per HRS §92F-11.
Legal Help in Kahului
The Second Circuit Self-Help Center at Hoapili Hale is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. It is a walk-in service, no appointment needed. Call (808) 463-1360 for information. The center helps with forms, filing procedures, and general questions about the family court process. This is a free resource for Kahului and Maui County residents.
The Kids First program, (808) 244-2770, assists children and families going through divorce or custody proceedings. Adoption-related questions can also go to (808) 244-2770. These programs are based at Hoapili Hale and serve all Maui County residents.
The Maui Children's Justice Center at 1773-A Willi Pa Loop, Wailuku, HI 96793, phone (808) 244-7926, provides support for children involved in abuse and neglect cases that may intersect with family court.
The Second Circuit Maui contact page shows direct phone numbers and addresses for Hoapili Hale departments serving Kahului residents.
Hawaii Judiciary Second Circuit contact page for Kahului family court departments
Use this page to find contact details for specific Hoapili Hale departments before visiting or submitting a records request.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
These Maui County communities are also served by the Second Circuit family court at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku.
Wailuku and Kihei are the nearest significant communities to Kahului within Maui County. While Wailuku and Kihei do not currently have individual city pages on this site, residents of those communities use the same Second Circuit family court and the same record access process described on this page. For county-level information, see the Maui County family court records page.