How much does it cost to file a lawsuit in Maui?
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 Maui?
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 Maui. You enter a business contract with a woman who resides in the Big Island, but he breaches the contract. Can you file a lawsuit for breach of contract in Maui?
No. You must file your lawsuit in the Third Circuit Court 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 Maui. 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 Maui?
Yes. You can file a lawsuit in the Second Circuit Court because the accident took place in Maui.
Where is the courthouse located in Maui?
Maui Second Circuit Court
Hoapili Hale
2145 Main Street, Suite 106
Maui, HI 96793
(808) 244-2706
Can I appear for court case in Maui remotely?
Probably.
Regardless of which circuit court your case is located, appearing remotely via Zoom is a likely option.
In general, you can appear remotely for a civil, criminal, and family law case. In particular, you can attend remotely for any non-evidentiary hearing for your civil or criminal case.
Family law hearings, however, are not automatically set remotely, unless you request advance permission.
Can I file documents electronically in Maui?
Yes.
Through Hawaii's Judiciary Electronic Filing System (JEFS), all attorneys and unrepresented parties can electronically file documents for all cases in the district court, circuit court, family court, and all appellate courts.
