Search Kihei Family Court Records

Kihei residents can access family court records through the Second Circuit Court at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku, which serves all of Maui County including South Maui, handling divorce, child custody, adoption, domestic violence, and related family law matters for people throughout the Kihei area.

Kihei Family Court Serving Courts

All family court matters for Kihei residents are filed at Hoapili Hale, the Second Circuit courthouse in Wailuku. This is the only family court serving Maui County, which includes the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. The drive from Kihei to Wailuku takes roughly 30 to 35 minutes on normal days. Traffic on the Piilani Highway and through Kahului can add time, so plan your visit accordingly and arrive early if you have a scheduled hearing.

For traffic violations, misdemeanors, and some civil matters, the closer option is the Lahaina District Court at 1870 Honoapiilani Highway in Lahaina, phone (808) 661-0970. Lahaina is roughly 25 to 30 minutes from Kihei. The Lahaina court does not handle family law matters, but it can be convenient for traffic citations and minor civil disputes that do not require going to Wailuku.

For most family law needs, Wailuku is the required destination. Check the Hawaii Judiciary court locations page for current hours and any changes to the Hoapili Hale schedule before you travel.

County Court Handling Kihei Records

Kihei is part of Maui County, and all family court records for Maui County residents are maintained by the Second Circuit Court at Hoapili Hale. The Legal Documents Branch in Room 106 at Hoapili Hale handles requests for copies of case files, court orders, and other family court documents. This is the office to contact whether you are requesting records in person, by mail, or by fax.

The Second Circuit serves a large geographic area. It covers all family law filings from Kihei, Kahului, Wailuku, Lahaina, Hana, Molokai, and Lanai. Despite covering multiple islands, all records are maintained at the Wailuku courthouse. If you cannot make the trip to Wailuku from Kihei, mail or online access are both viable options for most record types.

How to Search Kihei Family Court Records

Online searching through eCourt Kokua is the simplest way to find case information without leaving Kihei. Select the Second Circuit when you start your search. You can find party names, case numbers, hearing dates, and current case status at no charge. This is a good first step before deciding whether to request full copies of documents.

For family court civil cases going back to 1983, Ho'ohiki provides more detailed search options. You can search by party name or case ID and get a more complete picture of what is in the case file. Both systems update each evening, so filings from the same day may take up to 48 hours to appear.

If you need to search in person, the Legal Documents Branch at Hoapili Hale has staff to assist you. The branch is in Room 106. Bring any information you have about the case, names of the parties, approximate year of filing, and the nature of the case. A $5 fee applies per name if you do not have a case number and need staff to search the index for you.

The Legal Navigator Hawaii site explains how eCourt Kokua works and what information it contains. It also links to other search tools and resources for Maui residents.

Accessing Records and Fees

Copies of court documents cost $3 for 1 to 30 pages. Certified copies add a $2 fee on top of the standard cost. For frequent users, a quarterly subscription runs $125 and an annual subscription is $500. These are statewide rates that apply to all Hawaii circuits including the Second Circuit in Wailuku.

Mail requests should go to: Second Circuit Court, Hoapili Hale, Legal Documents Branch, 2145 Main Street, Room 106, Wailuku, Maui 96793-1679. Include the case number, both party names, the type of records needed, and a check payable to the State of Hawaii Judiciary. Mail requests receive a response within 10 business days under Hawaii's public records law. Fax requests go to (808) 244-2932.

Not all records are public. Adoption files are sealed. Cases involving minors in child welfare proceedings are confidential. Records with mental health information tied to family court proceedings are also restricted. For matters like divorce decrees, custody orders, and restraining orders in adult civil cases, public access is generally straightforward. Call the Legal Documents Branch at (808) 244-2752 if you have questions about whether a specific record is available.

Types of Family Court Records for Kihei

The Second Circuit Family Court handles a broad range of matters under HRS section 571-11. Kihei residents may need records related to:

• Divorce filings and final decrees
• Child custody orders and parenting plans
• Child support orders and modifications
• Temporary restraining orders for domestic abuse
• Adoption orders (most adoption records are sealed)
• Guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults
• Paternity establishment cases

Juvenile matters and child protective services cases are sealed and not accessible to the public. For adult civil family court records, access is available at the Legal Documents Branch window or by mail request. The Legal Documents Branch can tell you exactly which documents within a case file are public and which are restricted before you pay any fees.

Self-Help and Legal Resources for Kihei

Hoapili Hale has a Self-Help Center for people who are handling their own family court matters. It is open on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The phone number is (808) 463-1360. Maui residents can attend in person at Hoapili Hale. Residents of Molokai, Lanai, and Hana can participate by phone. The center can help you understand court procedures, complete forms, and navigate the filing process without an attorney.

Kids First at the Second Circuit handles services related to children in family law matters. The number is (808) 244-2770. This office also handles adoption-related inquiries. If your matter involves children and you are unsure what services are available, Kids First is a good starting point for guidance specific to Maui County family court proceedings.

The Hoapili Hale Law Library is in Room 207 at the courthouse. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the number is (808) 244-2959. This library has legal resources that can help you research statutes, case law, and court rules relevant to your family matter. Access is free and open to the public during library hours.

The Maui Children's Justice Center is at 1773-A Willi Pa Loop in Wailuku, reachable at (808) 244-7926. This center provides services for children involved in family court proceedings and can be a helpful resource for families dealing with child-related cases in the Second Circuit.

Hawaii Public Records Law and Privacy

Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act, HRS Chapter 92F, gives the public the right to access government records including most family court case files. The court has 10 business days to respond to a records request. If your request is denied, the court must give you a written explanation citing the specific legal reason. You can appeal a denial to the Office of Information Practices.

Family court records that are typically public include divorce filings and decrees, civil custody and child support orders, domestic violence restraining orders, and guardianship proceedings for most adult cases. Sealed records include adoptions, juvenile delinquency cases, child protective proceedings, and cases involving mental health evaluations.

If you are looking for a record involving a minor, expect that significant portions of the file may be restricted. Court orders that affect custody or support can sometimes be accessed even when the underlying case file has restrictions. The Legal Documents Branch staff at Hoapili Hale can clarify what is available for your specific situation without you needing to file a formal written request first.

Kihei Court Record Images

The image below is from the Second Circuit contact page at the Hawaii Judiciary website, showing contact details for the Maui court serving Kihei.

Use this page to find current phone numbers and addresses for court divisions serving Kihei.

The Hawaii Judiciary court locations directory confirms the Hoapili Hale address and the Lahaina District Court location for Kihei area residents.

This directory is the authoritative source for court addresses and hours across all Hawaii islands.

Nearby Qualifying Cities

Other cities on Maui near Kihei with family court record pages: