How much does it cost to file a lawsuit in Hawaii?
To file a new civil complaint, you must pay a $315 filing fee with the clerk's office.
You also have the right to a jury trial if your case is in the circuit court. The fee for requesting a jury trial is $200.
Where do I file my lawsuit if I live in Honolulu?
It depends.
In general, you file your case in the court in which the defendant lives or in the court in which the incident took place.
Example #1: You live in Honolulu. You enter a business contract with a man who resides in Hilo, but he breaches the contract. Can you file a lawsuit for breach of contract in Honolulu?
No. You must file your lawsuit in the Third Circuit Court (Hawaii) because the defendant lives in the Big Island. It is irrelevant to the question of jurisdiction where the plaintiff lives.
Example #2: You live in Honolulu. As you are driving to work, you are rear-ended by someone who is visiting from Kauai. Can you file a personal injury lawsuit in Honolulu?
Yes. You can file a lawsuit in the First Circuit Court because the accident took place in Oahu.
Where is the courthouse located in Honolulu?
Oahu First Circuit Court
777 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 539-4767
Oahu District Court
1111 Alakea Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 538-5767
When will my case be heard?
In general, superior court cases in the First Circuit Court take place on Monday morning.
By contrast, if your case is in district court, your hearing date and time depends on the type of case.
Can you appear for court remotely?
Probably.
In district court, you can appear remotely for criminal arraignments and to enter pleas in non-custody criminal cases. This policy applies in the district courts n Ewa, Kaneohe, and Wahiawa district Courts
In general, you can also appear remotely in superior court, but in some cases, you need prior approval from the courts.
Family law cases work differently. You must appear in-person unless you receive express permission from the judge assigned to your case.
