Wailuku Family Court Records
Wailuku is the county seat of Maui County and home to Hoapili Hale, the Second Circuit courthouse where all Maui County family court records for divorce, custody, adoption, guardianship, and domestic violence cases are filed and maintained, giving Wailuku residents direct walk-in access to family court services on Maui.
Wailuku Overview
Note: Wailuku residents have the distinct advantage of having Hoapili Hale right in town, giving them direct walk-in access to the family court, law library, self-help center, and legal services without any commute.
Hoapili Hale, The Wailuku Courthouse
Hoapili Hale at 2145 Main Street is the Second Circuit courthouse and the heart of Maui County's court system. For Wailuku residents, this building is a major asset. The family court, district court, legal documents branch, law library, self-help center, and Kids First services are all under one roof. You can walk in, access records, get help with forms, and meet with a volunteer attorney all in one visit. No other city on Maui has this level of direct courthouse access.
| Court | Second Circuit Family Court - Hoapili Hale |
|---|---|
| Address | 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793 |
| Family Court Phone | (808) 244-2700 |
| District Court Phone | (808) 244-2846 |
| Legal Documents Branch | Room 106 | (808) 244-2752 | Fax: (808) 244-2932 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Website | Hawaii Family Courts |
The District Court at Hoapili Hale handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, and civil matters for Maui County. It shares the building with the family court but operates as a separate division. The phone number is (808) 244-2846. Having both courts at the same address means Wailuku residents rarely need to go elsewhere for any court-related need.
The Hawaii Judiciary court locations page confirms the current Hoapili Hale hours and contact details for all divisions at this courthouse.
County Court Handling Wailuku Records
Wailuku is in Maui County, which covers the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. All family court records for this entire region are maintained at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku. The Legal Documents Branch in Room 106 is the point of contact for all record requests, whether you are asking for a divorce decree filed in 2010 or a custody modification order from last year. The branch accepts in-person, mail, and fax requests.
Because Wailuku is the county seat, this is where all Maui County family law matters originate. Residents of Kihei, Lahaina, Hana, Molokai, and Lanai all have to request records from this location. Wailuku residents skip that step entirely. If you live in Wailuku and need a family court document, walk-in access during business hours is available with no advance arrangement needed.
Searching Wailuku Family Court Records
The fastest way to search is through eCourt Kokua online. Select the Second Circuit to search Maui County cases. You can find party names, case numbers, hearing dates, and current case status free of charge. eCourt Kokua is available at any hour and requires no login or account.
Ho'ohiki covers Second Circuit family court civil cases filed since 1983. It offers name-based and case ID-based searches and provides more detailed case information than the basic eCourt Kokua results. Both systems update overnight. Cases filed that day may take until the next morning to appear in search results.
For Wailuku residents, in-person searching is the most direct option. The Legal Documents Branch in Room 106 at Hoapili Hale is steps away. Staff there can help you search the case index, pull records, and clarify which documents are available. Public access terminals at the courthouse also let you run searches on your own without waiting for staff assistance.
The $5 name search fee applies if you request staff to search by name and you do not have a case number. Online searches through eCourt Kokua and Ho'ohiki are always free regardless of how many names you search.
Getting Copies of Court Documents
Document copies cost $3 for 1 to 30 pages. Certified copies add $2. Subscriptions for frequent users cost $125 per quarter or $500 per year. These rates apply statewide and are set by the Hawaii Judiciary.
In-person requests at Room 106 during business hours are the most straightforward option for Wailuku residents. Bring your photo ID and the case number or party names. Staff will locate the file, identify what is available, and process your payment. Most in-person requests are handled the same day.
Mail requests should be addressed to: Second Circuit Court, Hoapili Hale, Legal Documents Branch, 2145 Main Street, Room 106, Wailuku, Maui 96793-1679. Fax requests go to (808) 244-2932. Phone the branch at (808) 244-2752 with questions. Under HRS Chapter 92F, the court has 10 business days to respond. For Wailuku residents, there is rarely a reason to use mail when walking in is so convenient.
Types of Family Court Records at Hoapili Hale
The Second Circuit Family Court maintains a wide range of records under HRS section 571-11. Records you can request at Hoapili Hale include divorce petitions and final decrees, child custody and parenting plan orders, child support orders and modifications, domestic violence temporary restraining orders, paternity cases, guardianship proceedings, termination of parental rights cases, and adoption orders.
Restricted records include sealed adoption case files, juvenile delinquency records, and child protective services cases. These require a court order to access. Most civil adult family court records are public. The Legal Documents Branch staff can tell you which portions of any specific case file are available before you pay for copies. When in doubt, call (808) 244-2752 and describe the case you are looking for.
Legal Help Services at Hoapili Hale
The Self-Help Center at Hoapili Hale is available every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. Call (808) 463-1360 to reach the center. Maui residents can attend in person. Residents on Molokai, Lanai, and Hana can participate by phone. Self-Help Center staff can help you understand which forms to use, how to fill them out, and what to expect from the family court process. This service is free and is especially useful for people handling divorce, custody, or support matters without an attorney.
Kids First at (808) 244-2770 is the court's resource for services related to children in family law proceedings. This office also handles adoption-related inquiries. If you have questions about child-focused court processes at the Second Circuit, Kids First is the right starting point. The Maui Children's Justice Center at 1773-A Willi Pa Loop in Wailuku, phone (808) 244-7926, provides additional services for children involved in family court cases.
The Law Library in Room 207 at Hoapili Hale is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The phone number is (808) 244-2959. It is free and open to the public. The library holds legal texts, statutes, case law, and practice guides relevant to Maui County court proceedings. For someone researching a family law matter on their own, the law library can be a valuable tool right down the hall from the Legal Documents Branch.
The Legal Navigator Hawaii resource pages include listings for Maui County family court resources and can direct you to additional legal help programs available in Wailuku.
Public Records Law and Privacy
Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (HRS Chapter 92F) governs all public record requests in the state. The court must respond within 10 business days. Written denial notices must cite the specific legal basis. Appeals go to the Office of Information Practices. Most civil family court records for adult parties are publicly accessible under this law.
Wailuku residents benefit from direct access to court staff who can explain what is public and what is sealed for any given case. This clarity is harder to get through mail or phone. Walking in to Room 106 and speaking with the Legal Documents Branch staff takes much of the uncertainty out of the process. They can review the file with you and tell you what will be included in the copies before you pay.
Common restricted record categories at the Second Circuit include sealed adoption files, juvenile records, child welfare cases, and any case where a judge has issued a specific sealing order. Routine divorce, custody, and support records are public. The legal standard for sealing family court records in Hawaii is a showing that privacy interests substantially outweigh the public interest in disclosure. In most cases, this standard is not met for adult civil proceedings.
Wailuku Court Resource Images
The image below is from the Second Circuit contact page at the Hawaii Judiciary website, showing the Hoapili Hale contact details for Wailuku family court services.
Use this page for the most current phone numbers and division contacts at Hoapili Hale.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
Other cities near Wailuku on Maui with family court record pages: