Hawaiʻi Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of Hawaiʻi is the State's court of last resort. The Supreme Court hears appeals that are properly brought before the court upon applications for writs of certiorari to the Intermediate Court of Appeals, designated direct appeals from agency decisions, and applications for transfer from the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
The Supreme Court also
- hears reserved questions of law from the circuit courts, the land court, and the tax appeal court;
- hears certified questions of law from federal courts;
- hears applications for writs to judges and other public officers;
- hears complaints regarding elections;
- makes rules of practice and procedure for all state courts;
- licenses, regulates, and disciplines attorneys; and
- disciplines judges.
417 South King Street
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813
(808) 539-4700
Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA)
The Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA) is the court that hears nearly all appeals from trial courts and some state agencies in the State of Hawaiʻi. ICA cases may be transferred to the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court upon application to the Supreme Court under circumstances set out in the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes. The ICA's Judgments on Appeal and dismissal orders are subject to the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court's discretionary review by way of an application for a writ of certiorari.
426 Queen Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 539-4750
Circuit Courts
Jury trials are held in the Circuit Courts, which have general jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases. They also have exclusive jurisdiction in probate, guardianship and criminal felony cases, as well as civil cases where the contested amount exceeds $40,000.
Circuit Courts share concurrent jurisdiction with District Courts in civil non-jury cases in which the amounts in controversy are between $10,000 and $40,000. Other cases heard by the Circuit Courts include mechanics' liens and misdemeanor violations transferred from the District Courts for jury trials.
Circuit Court of the First Circuit (Oʻahu)
Kaʻahumanu Hale
777 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813
Circuit Court of the Second Circuit (Maui)
Hoapili Hale
2145 Main Street, Suite 106
Wailuku, Hawaiʻi 96793
Circuit Court of the Third Circuit (Big Island)
Hale Kaulike
777 Kīlauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720
Keahuolū Courthouse
74-5451 Kamakaʻeha Avenue
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi 96740
Circuit Court of the Fifth Circuit (Kauaʻi)
Puʻuhonua Kaulike Building
3970 Kaʻana Street
Līhuʻe, Hawaiʻi 96766
District Courts
The District Courts have jurisdiction over:
- Traffic infractions and violations.
- Offenses classified as violations of state laws or county ordinances.
- Criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment not exceeding one year.
- Probable cause hearings for felony cases.
- Civil actions in which the debt, amount, damages, or value of the property claimed does not exceed $40,000 (but no jurisdiction over actions for libel, slander, defamation of character, malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, breach of promise of marriage, or seduction).
- Summary possession (landlord-tenant) actions and related money damages claims and counterclaims, regardless of the amount claimed.
- Ejectment proceedings, where the title to real estate does not come into question.
- Civil cases for specific performance when the fair market value of the performance does not exceed $20,000.
- Small claims cases where the amount claimed does not exceed $5,000.
- Petitions for temporary restraining orders (TROs) and injunctions against harassment involving parties who are not related to each other, and who have never been in a dating relationship.
- Petitions by tenants against landlords for restraining orders against lockout and utility shut-off.
- Appeals from administrative denials of motor vehicle registration
United States District Court
United States District Court - District of Hawaiʻi
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room C338
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96850
