Small Claims

The Small Claims Court is the division of District Court that handles certain disputes between two or more parties. These cases are decided by a judge in an informal manner.

The Small Claims Court hears your case if:

• The amount disputed doesn't exceed $5,000. Or, in a counterclaim, no more than $25,000 is requested. Claims between $5,000 and $25,000 are heard by the Regular Claims Division.
• You seek a return of a residential security deposit from your landlord.
• You seek a return of leased or rented personal property, where the property is worth $5,000 or less and where the rental amount claimed does not exceed $5,000.
• You seek to recover damages or repossess items stolen from your business property. Examples of such items include shopping carts, shopping baskets or other similar devices.

More Information

• The brochure, Your Guide to Small Claims Court (464 KB PDF - Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is free), provides answers to common questions.
• Small Claims forms are available at Honolulu District Court or via this website.