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In Hawaii County, money disputes up to $5,000 go to the small-claims court: simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
This page sets out the ceiling on claims, what the court charges, the courthouse that covers Hawaii County, how notice reaches the other party, the time limits, and the filing steps. Squabble can prepare and lodge the paperwork when you decide to go ahead.
Hawaii County hears small claims at the courthouse listed here, with the venue confirmed at filing from the defendant's address or the location of the dispute.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Check the filing location first. The court's small-claims page lists where papers are taken today, and Squabble confirms it for your case as part of filing.
Hawaii Third Circuit District Court, in Kailua-Kona, is the courthouse listed for Hawaii County. About 209,790 people live in Hawaii County.
This court takes small-claims filings on paper, in person or by mail. Squabble prepares everything so your packet arrives filing-ready.
Small claims hearings are held in person at the courthouse.
Evidence is copied for the judge and for the opposing side; electronic submission ahead of time is accepted at some courts.
Residents of Hawaii County, a county of about 209,790 people, can bring small claims cases through the Hawaii Small Claims Court, which hears claims up to $5000. The Hawaii Third Circuit District Court is located in Kailua-Kona at 74-5451 Kamakaeha Ave, 96740, and can be reached at (808) 322-8700 or through the Hawaii state courts website at http://www.courts.state.hi.us/. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM and is closed Saturday and Sunday. Electronic filing is not available, so filings are handled in person at the courthouse. The county covers communities including Hilo, Kamuela, Honokaa, Pahoa, Naalehu, Captain Cook, and Kapaau, along with ZIP codes such as 96720, 96743, 96749, 96771, and 96704. Hawaii County lies near Maui County, Kalawao County, and Honolulu County. Information about court locations, hours, and procedures is published by the Hawaii state court system on its website.
A case filed here usually comes from one of these 30 communities:
Captain Cook, Hakalau, Hawaii National Park, Hawi, Hilo, Holualoa, Honaunau, Honokaa, Honomu, Kailua Kona, Kamuela, Kapaau, Keaau, Kealakekua, Keauhou, Kurtistown, Laupahoehoe, Mountain View, Naalehu, Ninole, Ocean View, Ookala, Paauilo, Pahala, Pahoa, Papaaloa, Papaikou, Pepeekeo, Volcano, Waikoloa.
With about 209,790 residents, Hawaii County ranks 2nd by population among the 5 counties of Hawaii. Hawaii Third Circuit District Court sits about 83 miles from the Honolulu County courthouse in Honolulu.
Counties nearest to this one:
Small claims is the court's track for everyday money disputes: simplified rules, and limits on how much you can sue for.
Maximum claim
The county where it happened and the county where they live are both generally available.
Courts do not allow one dispute to be filed as several in order to beat the maximum.
The court decides who pays whom and how much. Anything beyond money goes to a higher court.
Hawaii allows parties to be represented by an attorney in the small claims division of the district court, and with the court's approval a party may even be represented by a non-attorney who serves without compensation. However, in residential landlord-tenant security deposit disputes, Haw. Rev. Stat. 633-28(b) prohibits licensed attorneys from appearing on behalf of another person, so both landlord and tenant appear without counsel in those cases.
Under-18s are represented by a guardian the court appoints.
This state expects your supporting evidence to be submitted with the filing, not just brought to the hearing.
Over the limit? A claim above the ceiling can be trimmed to fit, or filed in full in the ordinary civil court. Trimming generally means writing off the remainder.
Hawaii County is under the same limits as nearby Maui County and Kalawao County. They are the same across all 32 Hawaii County ZIP codes, from 96704 onward.
This court handles money claims to a ceiling of $5,000. Below are the kinds of case filed most often.
Hawaii County has about 209,790 residents. Hawaii County takes in Captain Cook, Hakalau and Hawaii National Park and the rest of the county.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Prepare the claim form, work out which court covers it, and pay the court's charge.
Formal notice reaches the other party, who then has a window to respond or resolve it.
The hearing itself is short and informal. Some courts allow video. The ruling comes then or later in writing.
This is the route a Hawaii County case takes, whether it starts in 96704 or anywhere else among the county ZIP codes. Hawaii Third Circuit District Court publishes its counter hours; they are listed on this page.
A filed case still has to reach the defendant. Formal notice, known as service of process, does that, and delivering it personally is generally not allowed. The usual route in Hawaii is delivery arranged by the court, email service where the court allows it, certified mail or personal delivery by an approved server.
Who may serve depends on the court: law enforcement, a paid process server, the clerk by certified mail, or a disinterested adult. Costs and rules are local.
Each court sets how far before the hearing the defendant must be served. The clerk confirms your deadline when the hearing date is set. Court provides instructions for certified mail with return receipt and signature card.
The person who delivered the papers signs a proof of service. That document goes to the court ahead of the hearing.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
Addresses in Hawaii County include places such as Captain Cook, Hakalau and Hawaii National Park. A Hawaii County address carries one of its 32 ZIP codes, 96704, 96710 and 96718 among them.
Every claim carries a filing window that opens when the dispute happens. Once it closes, the court can turn the case away.
| What the claim is about | Deadline to file |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years |
| Oral contract | 6 years |
| Property damage | 2 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
The same periods apply in Hawaii County as in nearby Maui County and Kalawao County, which are in the same state. They do not change from one Hawaii County ZIP code to another, 96704 included.
Money owed under a contract in Hawaii generally accrues interest at 10% per year before judgment (Haw. Rev. Stat. §478-2, §636-16).
To see what interest has added so far, the Squabble interest calculator works out the running total.
The rate above is the one for Hawaii County, population about 209,790. It is the same rate across all 32 Hawaii County ZIP codes.
Two checks first: the amount must fall within the ceiling, and the claim must still be in time.
Name the correct party, describe what happened, and show how the amount is calculated.
File with the Hawaii County small-claims court on paper, by mail or at the counter, and pay the $35–$80 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
Arrange service once your hearing date is set and file the proof of service with the court.
Gather the paperwork and label your exhibits so each point can be shown quickly.
Turn up on the day, in person or remotely where offered, present what happened, and take the decision.
Describe the dispute to Eleanor. Squabble drafts the paperwork, puts it through a Triple-Check™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and lodges it with the court.
Start for FREE →A claim form opens the case, a proof of service records that notice was given, and a fee waiver applies where you qualify. Titles differ between courts, and Squabble uses the ones your courthouse expects.
Captain Cook, Hakalau and Hawaii National Park are among the places in Hawaii County that filings come from. Hawaii County takes in filings from 32 ZIP codes, 96704 first in the list.
Hearings are short and plainly run. Questions come from the judge, and most parties appear without help.
Captain Cook, Hakalau and Hawaii National Park are among the Hawaii County places a hearing can draw parties from. Hawaii Third Circuit District Court sits at the 96740 address shown above.
A judgment is the court's decision. Collecting it is a separate step, with court-backed tools if the other side doesn't pay. Which tools are available depends on state law.
Wage garnishment, where the state permits it, sends part of the debtor's pay toward the judgment.
With a bank levy, the court reaches funds held in the debtor's account directly.
Registering the judgment at county level can fix a lien on real estate the debtor holds.
There is also an examination procedure: the debtor is ordered to attend and give sworn answers about earnings and assets. Interest normally accrues at the statutory rate until payment.
Maui County and Kalawao County are the counties nearest to Hawaii County. The judgment in a Hawaii County case comes from Hawaii Third Circuit District Court in Kailua-Kona.
Information reviewed August 2026. Courts change fees, limits and procedures, so check the current details before filing.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares your demand letter and court-ready documents, Triple-Checks them for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your Hawaii County case for you.
