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COVID-19 & the COURTS: FOR UPDATES, CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Information

We will continue to update this page as new developments arise.

photo of COVID-19 Virus

The Hawaii State Judiciary is focused on ensuring the safety of all court users and Judiciary personnel in response to the COVID-19 virus. Judiciary representatives are working collaboratively with the Department of Health and other state agencies to ensure our response is timely and appropriate according to the law.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. The Judiciary remains vigilant and continues planning for needed adjustments.

We encourage everyone to consult only official sources of information on COVID-19, including the Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control websites.


Judiciary News

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Courthouse and Facility Updates

Courts of Appeal

First Circuit (Oahu)

  • Effective April 30 – May 29, 2020 the following District Courthouses and departments will be closed completely:
    • Ewa District Court
    • Kaneohe District Court
    • Wahiawa District Court
    • Waianae District Court
    • Traffic Violations Bureau (Honolulu District Court, 2nd floor)
    • Legal Documents Branch (Honolulu District Court, 3rd floor)

An electronic “Court Document Drop-Off” capability is now available for individuals wanting to submit petitions for temporary restraining orders, file written statements for traffic tickets, ask for license clearances, and other documents in civil cases.

If you are unable to submit documents electronically, then you may file them at the Honolulu District Court Information Booth, located to the right of the main entrance. For questions about any District Court case on Oahu, please call 808-538-5629 or 808-538-5767.

Second Circuit (Maui)

Third Circuit (Hawaii)

Fifth Circuit (Kauai)

The Lihue courthouse (Puuhonua Kaulike Building) is open, but with limited services from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, except holidays.

Open
Legal Documents (808-482-2330)
Traffic Department (808-482-2355)
Fiscal Office (808-482-2383)

Closed
Self-Help Center
Law Library
TRO services (please call YWCA Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline at 808-245-6362 for assistance with filing for a temporary restraining order)

Fifth Circuit (Kauai) Court Directory: 808-482-2300

  • Adult probation – Adult Client Services: 808-482-2400
  • Juvenile family court matters, Juvenile Client and Family Services: 808-482-2350
  • Drug Court: 808-482-2363
  • Juvenile guardianship, incapacitated individual guardianship, community service call Special Services: 808-482-2570
  • Driver’s Education: 808-482-2383
  • Office of the Public Guardian: 808-482-2555
  • Small Estates and Guardianship: 808-482-2343
  • Sheriff’s Department: 808-482-2470

Individuals with an upcoming court date should contact their attorney.
Individuals without an attorney, call before coming to court:
District Court: 808- 482-2645
Circuit Court or Family Court Legal Documents: 808-482-2330
Traffic Department: 808-482-2355

Pay for traffic citations at https://www.courts.state.hi.us/self-help/traffic/the_etraffic_hawaii_website

Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office (ADLRO)
ADLRO is closed through May 29 to help slow the spread of COVID-19.  All hearings scheduled during this time will be held telephonically. You may contact the office at Respondents.adlro@courts.hawaii.gov, by fax, or by mail.

Statewide Court Self-Help Centers and Access to Justice Room – Help by Telephone Available
Volunteer attorneys are available by phone on certain days of the week. Go to the Self-Help Centers page for details. Other resources for qualifying individuals:

  • The Legal Aid Intake Hotline will be available at its normal hours, Monday – Friday from 9 – 11:30 a.m. and from 1 – 3:30 p.m. Those needing legal help or have a legal issue due to the impact of COVID-19 should call 808-536-4302 (Oahu) and 1-800-499-4302 (Neighbor Islands).
  • Hawaii Online Pro Bono (HOP): https://hawaii.freelegalanswers.org/
    ABA Free Legal Answers is an online legal advice clinic for qualifying users to post civil legal questions at no cost. Volunteer Attorneys will respond via online.
  • Law Help: https://www.lawhelp.org/hi/
    Legal informational brochures, videos and online court forms for family, housing and other civil legal problems.

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Orders

Chief Justice

Courts of Appeal

First Circuit 

Second Circuit

Third Circuit

Fifth Circuit

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For Attorneys and Self-Represented Litigants

The Judiciary is taking steps to reduce the need for inter-island travel by attorneys and self-represented litigants during this time. Those scheduled to appear on a different island than the one on which they live may ask to appear telephonically or by video conference call as permitted by court rules. Requests for telephonic appearances by attorneys or self-represented litigants who would otherwise need to travel inter-island will be liberally granted while the COVID-19 situation is ongoing. (Announced March 5, 2020)

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Language Access

COVID-19 information in various languages may be found on the Judiciary’s language-specific pages by clicking on the language needed on the left side bar of this page.

The Office of Language Access (OLA) has translated COVID-19 materials from the Hawaii Department of Health and other agencies into multiple languages. Those materials can be found on OLA’s website at:

https://health.hawaii.gov/ola/covid19-multilingual/

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