Access Maui County Family Court Records

Maui County family court records are filed and kept by the Second Circuit Court at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku, which serves the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. This page covers how to find, request, and view Maui County family court records whether you are on Maui or on one of the neighbor islands in the Second Circuit.

Maui County Second Circuit Court

All Maui County family court matters are handled at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku. This is the main courthouse for the Second Circuit. District courts on the neighbor islands hold local sessions, but family court filings, records, and hearings are managed through the main Wailuku courthouse. If your case was filed on Molokai or Lanai, the records are still held in Wailuku.

District court locations serve residents on the neighbor islands. Molokai District Court is at 55 Makaena Street, Kaunakakai, phone (808) 553-1100. Lanai District Court is at 730 Lanai Avenue, Lanai City, phone (808) 565-6447. Lahaina District Court is at 1870 Honoapiilani Highway, Lahaina, phone (808) 661-0970. Hana District Court at 4974 Uakea Road holds periodic sessions; call ahead at (808) 248-7986. These locations handle district-level matters. For family court filings and records, you must contact Hoapili Hale in Wailuku.

Verify current hours and contact details for Maui County Second Circuit Court before submitting a family court records request in person or by mail.

Search Maui Family Court Records Online

The Hawaii Judiciary's eCourt Kokua system is the free public search tool for Maui County family court records. Search by party name or case number to see basic case info: filing date, case type, parties, and hearing schedule. No login is needed.

Ho'ohiki covers Second Circuit Family Court civil cases from 1983 forward. Use it to locate older Maui divorce or custody filings. Sealed adoption records and confidential dependency cases will not appear in either system. If a case does not show up in eCourt Kokua or Ho'ohiki, it may be sealed, or you may need to refine your search with alternate name spellings.

Requesting Maui County Family Court Records

In-person requests are handled at Room 106, Hoapili Hale. Bring photo ID and your case number if you have it. Name searches cost $5 if you do not know the case number. Copies cost $1 per page for in-person requests. Certified copies add $2 per document under Hawaii Court Rules Rule 10.2. You can view records for free in person during business hours under HRS §92F-11, you pay only for copies you take with you.

Mail requests follow the same fee structure. Send your written request to the Legal Documents Branch at Hoapili Hale (Room 106, Wailuku, Maui 96793-1679). Do not include payment with your initial request. The court will invoice you after locating the records. Pay by money order or cashier's check. Allow 10 to 15 business days plus mailing time.

Online access through eCourt Kokua and Ho'ohiki is free for basic case info. Downloading full documents online costs $3 per document. A subscription for frequent users costs $125 per quarter or $500 per year through the Hawaii Judiciary's eCourt system.

Record retention in Maui County: divorce cases are kept permanently; felony cases 75 years; civil cases 10 years; juvenile records until the subject turns 25. If you are researching a very old case, contact the Legal Documents Branch first to confirm whether the file is still at the courthouse or has been transferred to state archives.

Types of Family Court Records in Maui County

The Second Circuit Family Court creates a range of record types. Divorce records are the most commonly requested. They are public and include all pleadings, the financial disclosure forms, property and debt statements, and the final decree. If the divorce involved minor children, custody and parenting plan documents are part of the same file.

Child custody and visitation orders are public records. So are child support orders, paternity findings, and parentage judgments. Domestic violence TRO petitions and the resulting orders are open to the public. Guardianship petitions for both minors and adults are generally public unless sealed.

Adoption records are sealed by statute and require a court order to open. Juvenile dependency and delinquency records are confidential. Mental health records filed through family court carry additional privacy protections. If you are requesting records in any of these sealed categories, you will need to file a motion to unseal or obtain a court order before access is granted.

Maui County Family Court Forms

All Second Circuit family court forms are available on the Hawaii Judiciary website. The Maui family court forms page organizes forms by case type and includes divorce forms, TRO petitions, child custody evaluator request forms, and other family law documents. All forms must be Rule 9 compliant. Download directly from the judiciary site to make sure you are using the current version.

The Maui Self-Help Center meets on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon at Hoapili Hale. Call (808) 463-1360 for information. Residents on Molokai, Lanai, and Hana may also call that number to get help without traveling to Wailuku. The Children's Justice Center for Maui is at 1773-A Willi Pa Loop, Wailuku, phone (808) 244-7926.

The Maui Law Library is at Room 207, Hoapili Hale, phone (808) 244-2959, open Monday through Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Library staff can direct you to the right forms and statutes for your case type.

Download current Maui County family court forms from the official judiciary website to ensure you are filing Rule 9-compliant documents with the Second Circuit.

Legal Framework for Maui Records

Family court jurisdiction for Maui County is governed by HRS Chapter 571. This chapter defines the types of cases the family court handles across all Hawaii circuits. Divorce, custody, adoption, paternity, guardianship, and domestic violence cases all fall under HRS 571's scope. All four Hawaii circuits follow the same statute, with local procedural rules adding specifics for each court.

Public access rights are set by HRS Chapter 92F, the Uniform Information Practices Act. Under HRS §92F-11, the government must respond to record requests within 10 business days. The right to inspect records at no charge is guaranteed under that same statute. Fees only apply when you request copies. Exceptions exist for sealed adoption records, confidential juvenile cases, and any other category the court has specifically restricted.

ADA accommodations at Maui courts: call (808) 244-2855 for district and family court, or (808) 244-2929 for circuit court. You can also email adarequest@courts.hawaii.gov to request accommodations in advance of a hearing or records visit.

Legal Help for Maui County Residents

Kids First serves parents and children in Second Circuit family court proceedings. Call (808) 244-2770. The program offers co-parenting education and resources to reduce conflict and help families navigate the court process.

The Maui Self-Help Center offers walk-in assistance on Thursdays. Residents on Molokai, Lanai, and Hana can call in. Legal Navigator Hawaii (legalnavigatorhawaii.org) connects Maui County residents with legal aid organizations, self-help forms, and attorney referrals for family court matters. The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii serves Maui County with free civil legal help for those who qualify based on income.

Cities in Maui County

Three communities in Maui County meet the population threshold for dedicated family court records pages.

Nearby Counties

Other Hawaii counties maintain their own family court records through their respective circuit courts.