Find Court Records in Kalawao County
Kalawao County court records are part of the Second Judicial Circuit, which is managed from Maui. Because Kalawao has no local courthouse, no court clerk's office, and no county government of its own, all records searches and requests go through the Second Circuit Court in Wailuku or the Molokai District Court in Kaunakakai. This page explains the unique situation of Kalawao County, where to look up records, and how to submit a request for specific documents.
Kalawao County Court Records
What Makes Kalawao County Unique
Kalawao County is the smallest county in the United States by population, with fewer than 100 residents. It sits on the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the northern coast of Molokai island. The county is the historic site of a former Hansen's disease settlement and is now part of Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Access to the peninsula is restricted by state law, and the area is managed by the Hawaii Department of Health rather than a traditional county government.
There is no county council, no mayor, and no county administrative office. Kalawao has no courthouse, no court clerk, and no local judicial staff. These are not gaps in the system; the county simply has always functioned this way, given its extremely small and specialized population. For legal and judicial purposes, Kalawao County is administered by the Second Judicial Circuit, which is headquartered in Wailuku, Maui. This means every court matter that arises in Kalawao, whether civil, criminal, or family-related, is handled by the same circuit that manages Maui, Molokai, and Lanai cases generally.
For anyone trying to research Kalawao County court records, the key fact is simple. There are no local offices to contact. All records exist at one of two locations: the Second Circuit Court in Wailuku or the Molokai District Court in Kaunakakai. Most serious matters go to Wailuku; minor local matters may have been heard through Molokai District Court.
Which Court Handles Kalawao Cases
The type of case determines which court has jurisdiction. Civil cases involving amounts over $40,000 go to the Second Circuit Court in Wailuku. Felony criminal cases are also heard at the Maui Circuit Court. Family matters, including divorce, custody disputes, and protective orders, fall under the Maui Family Court, also at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku. Probate proceedings, estate matters, and guardianship cases are handled at the Circuit Court in Wailuku as well.
Minor criminal matters, traffic infractions, and small civil disputes may have been processed through the Molokai District Court. Molokai District Court is at 55 Makaena Street in Kaunakakai, Molokai, HI 96748. The phone number is 808-553-1100. The Molokai court serves the entire island of Molokai, which includes Kalawao County given its location on the Kalaupapa Peninsula. For small matters that did not rise to the level of Circuit Court, the Molokai court is the right place to start your inquiry.
When in doubt about which court handled a specific case, start with an online search using eCourt Kokua. That system covers all Second Circuit cases regardless of island location and will show you which division filed the case and what the current status is.
Searching Kalawao Records Online
The eCourt Kokua system is the most direct way to locate any Kalawao County court record. It is free to use for basic searches. You can look up cases by the names of parties involved, by case number if you have it, or by attorney name. The system returns docket entries, hearing dates, case status, and basic case details for most public records in the Second Circuit, which includes any Kalawao County matter.
The search process is the same for Kalawao as it is for Maui or Molokai. Select the Second Circuit from the dropdown menu, enter your search terms, and review the results. If a case came through the Molokai District Court, it will appear with a Molokai designation in the docket. If it went to Circuit Court in Wailuku, it will show the standard Second Circuit case number format. Either way, the docket information in eCourt Kokua should tell you enough to know whether you need to request the actual physical file.
The eCourt Kokua portal is the free online case search tool for all Second Circuit cases, including those filed for Kalawao County matters through the Wailuku or Molokai courthouses.
Basic case information is free. Document downloads cost $3 per file. The search process for Kalawao cases is identical to any Second Circuit case — select Second Circuit and enter the party name or case number.
Once you find a case, you can download documents from eCourt Kokua for a fee of $3.00 per document for files up to 30 pages, with $0.10 per additional page beyond that. Certified electronic copies carry an additional $5.00 fee. If you only need to confirm that a case exists or check a hearing date, that basic lookup costs nothing. Court calendars for Second Circuit proceedings are also available on the Hawaii Judiciary website at no charge.
Family Court cases in the Second Circuit, including any Kalawao County family matters, may appear in the Hoohiki system rather than eCourt Kokua. Hoohiki is specifically designed for family court records and uses a different interface. If your search in eCourt Kokua comes up empty for a family-related matter, try Hoohiki as a second step before concluding the record does not exist.
Requesting Records from Second Circuit Court
To request physical documents for a Kalawao County case, contact the Second Circuit Court's Legal Documents Branch at Hoapili Hale, 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793. The branch is in Room 106. The direct phone number is 808-244-2752, and the general line for the Legal Documents office is 808-244-2969. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
In-person requests require a valid photo ID. You fill out a request form with the case number, the names of the parties, and a list of the specific documents you want. Staff retrieve the file and let you inspect it or request copies. For records that may be archived or stored off-site, retrieval can take longer, and the office may ask you to return on a separate visit or arrange for mail delivery of copies. In-person copy rates are $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 per additional page. Certification of a document costs $2.00. A formal name search runs $5.00.
Mail requests are accepted and follow a straightforward process. Write down the case number or party name, the specific documents you need, your full return address, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Do not send payment with your initial letter. The court sends an invoice after processing your request, and you pay by money order or cashier's check. Send your letter to the Legal Documents Branch at 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793. The process is the same as it would be for any Second Circuit county.
The Second Circuit Court contact page provides complete contact information for the Wailuku courthouse, which maintains all official court records for Kalawao County cases, accessible by phone at 808-244-2752, by mail, or in person.
All record requests for Kalawao County go through Hoapili Hale in Wailuku. The Legal Documents Branch handles both phone inquiries and written requests for Kalawao matters.
Mail Request Process Step by Step
The mail process for Kalawao County records works best if you have already confirmed the case exists in eCourt Kokua. Search the system first and write down the case number exactly as it appears. That number is the most important piece of information you can include in your written request.
Your letter should include the case number, the full names of all parties as they appear in the docket, the type of document you want (order, judgment, motion, etc.), your name, your mailing address, a phone number or email address, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you are not sure which specific documents to request, describe what you are looking for in plain terms. Staff can help identify the right documents based on your description. Do not send a check or money order until you receive the invoice. Payment before receiving an invoice can slow down the process.
Court forms related to Second Circuit matters are available for download from the Hawaii Judiciary forms page. Form 1C-P-858 is used for written records requests and can be submitted to the Wailuku office by mail.
Historical Records and Older Kalawao Cases
Cases that predate the eCourt Kokua system, or records from many decades ago, may not appear in the online database. The Hawaii State Archives holds older judicial and governmental records from across the state, including historical materials related to the Kalaupapa settlement and Kalawao County. The Archives is located at 364 S King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. The phone number is 808-586-0329, and hours run Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM.
Given Kalawao County's unique history as the site of a state-managed leprosy settlement, some records may also be held by the Hawaii Department of Health rather than the court system. If you are researching historical matters tied to the Kalaupapa Peninsula specifically, the State Archives and the Department of Health are both worth contacting.
Legal Framework for Records Access in Hawaii
Public access to court records in Hawaii is governed in part by the Uniform Information Practices Act, codified in Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92F. This law sets the rules for what government records must be disclosed and what exemptions apply. Court records follow both this statute and the Hawaii Rules of Court, which address sealing, restricted access, and expungement of specific case types.
If your request for Kalawao County records is denied or not responded to within a reasonable time, you can contact the Office of Information Practices. The OIP handles complaints about public records access and can advise on how to appeal a denial. This process applies to all Hawaii counties, including Kalawao.
For questions about the Second Circuit generally, the Second Circuit contact page lists staff directories, division phone numbers, and mailing addresses. A full list of court locations across the state, including all Maui circuit locations, is available at the Hawaii Judiciary locations page.
Cities in Kalawao County
Kalawao County has no incorporated municipalities and no cities that meet the population threshold for individual records pages. The county's population of fewer than 100 residents is concentrated in the Kalaupapa settlement. There are no qualifying cities to link for this county.
Other Hawaii Counties
Court records for other Hawaii counties are administered through their own circuit court divisions. Each county page lists courthouse contacts, search procedures, and relevant local details.