Maui County Court Records
Maui County court records are held by the Second Circuit Court, based at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku, and cover civil, criminal, and family cases across Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. You can search these records online using the state's free case lookup tool, or visit the courthouse in person to view files and request certified copies. This guide covers where to search, which courts handle what types of cases, how to reach satellite locations on the outer islands, and what to expect when you make a records request.
Maui County Court Records
Second Circuit Court at Hoapili Hale
The main courthouse for Maui County is Hoapili Hale, located at 2145 Main Street in Wailuku. This building houses the Second Circuit Court, Maui District Court, and Maui Family Court. The Legal Documents Branch is in Room 106 and handles most public records requests. You can reach the main line at 808-244-2929. The Legal Documents Branch can be reached directly at 808-244-2752. General courthouse hours run Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM. The Legal Documents office is open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on those same days.
The District Court at Hoapili Hale sits on the third floor in courtrooms 3C and 3D. Civil matters are generally scheduled on Mondays, while criminal matters run Tuesday through Friday. Family Court uses the third and fourth floors. Rooms 3A and 3B on the third floor handle divorce, custody, temporary restraining orders, termination of parental rights, and juvenile matters. The fourth floor is used for domestic violence, protective order violations, and Circuit Court felony proceedings. Public access terminals are available in the building for anyone who wants to look up basic case information without paying document fees.
The Wailuku Division at Hoapili Hale covers central Maui, including Wailuku, Kahului, Waihee, Waikapu, and Maalaea. All felony cases from across the Second Circuit, including those originating on Molokai and Lanai, are tried here. Appeals from District Court decisions also come to Wailuku. If you have a matter that falls outside the District Court's jurisdiction or involves a sentence that could exceed one year, the Circuit Court in Wailuku is where it will be heard.
The court maintains a law library at Hoapili Hale in Room 207. The library is open Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM, and can be reached at 808-244-2959. A self-help center also operates at Hoapili Hale on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. You can call 808-909-2841 to ask about availability on select Mondays and Thursdays as well.
The official contact page for Second Circuit Court locations and staff directories is maintained by the Hawaii Judiciary. That page lists phone numbers, fax lines, and mailing addresses for all divisions operating out of Hoapili Hale.
The Second Circuit Court contact page provides complete addresses, phone numbers, and fax lines for all Maui court divisions operating out of Hoapili Hale, including the Legal Documents Branch at 808-244-2752.
The contact page is the authoritative reference for current hours, appointment requirements, and email contacts for each division before making an in-person visit or submitting a written request.
Satellite District Courts Across the Circuit
The Second Circuit has four satellite District Court locations outside of Wailuku. Each serves a distinct geographic area, but most records for these courts are stored and retrieved at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku. If you need documents from a satellite court, you will generally submit your request to the Legal Documents Branch in Wailuku rather than to the local office.
Lahaina District Court is at 1870 Honoapiilani Highway in Lahaina, phone 808-661-0970. It covers the Lahaina Division, which includes West Maui areas like Lahaina, Kaanapali, Napili, Kapalua, and Olowalu. Hearings take place at this location, but copies of records from these proceedings are typically retrieved through Wailuku. Hana District Court handles the Hana Division on East Maui, covering Kahikinui, Kaupo, Kipahulu, Hana, and Ko'olau. The Hana court's mailing address routes through the Lahaina office, and sessions are held periodically rather than on a daily schedule.
Molokai District Court is located at 55 Makaena Street in Kaunakakai, phone 808-553-1100. This court serves the entire island of Molokai and handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and small civil matters for residents on that island. Lanai District Court operates at 312 Eighth Street in Lanai City, reachable at 808-565-6447, and covers all matters arising on Lanai. Like the other satellite locations, Lanai and Molokai courts route records requests back to the main courthouse in Wailuku for document retrieval and certified copies.
The district court contact information page on the Judiciary website lists current addresses and phone numbers for all five District Court locations in the Second Circuit.
The Maui Judiciary contact directory lists all Second Circuit locations, including satellite courts on Molokai and Lanai, with current phone numbers and mailing addresses for each location.
All records requests for satellite court locations, including Lahaina, Hana, Molokai, and Lanai, are ultimately processed through the Legal Documents Branch at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku.
How to Search Maui Court Records Online
The Hawaii Judiciary provides free basic access to case information through eCourt Kokua, the statewide case search system. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows case status, scheduled hearing dates, and docket entries for most public cases. Criminal conviction records, civil judgments, and divorce decrees can all be located through eCourt Kokua if you have the right search terms.
Basic case lookup is free. Downloading actual documents costs $3.00 per document for files up to 30 pages. Pages beyond 30 cost an additional $0.10 each. Certified copies purchased online carry a $5.00 certification fee on top of the per-document charge. These fees apply to electronic copies accessed through the eCourt system. If you only need to confirm that a case exists, check a hearing date, or view a docket entry, those lookups cost nothing.
Family Court records are a separate matter. The Hoohiki system handles family court case records and uses a different search interface from eCourt Kokua. If you are searching for a divorce, custody, or protective order case, Hoohiki is the right starting point. Some family court records are sealed or restricted, and the system will indicate access limitations when they apply.
Court calendars are also available online at no charge. You can select the Second Circuit from the Judiciary website to view upcoming scheduled hearings. This is useful if you need to know when a case will be called or want to observe a proceeding as a member of the public.
In-Person Records Requests at Maui County
To request records in person, go to the Legal Documents Branch at Hoapili Hale, Room 106. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff will ask you to fill out a request form with the case number or party name, the specific documents you want, and your contact information. Once your request is submitted, staff will retrieve the file. For older or archived materials, retrieval may take additional time.
In-person copying fees differ from the online rates. The first page costs $1.00, and each additional page is $0.50. Certification of a document runs $2.00, and a name search costs $5.00. Inspecting a file at the courthouse without making copies is free of charge. Public access terminals at Hoapili Hale let you view basic case data on-screen without paying copy fees.
Mail requests are also accepted. Include the case number, names of parties, specific documents needed, your return address, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Do not send payment with your initial request. The court will send an invoice first, and you pay by money order or cashier's check after receiving it. Written requests can be mailed to the Legal Documents Branch at 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793. You can also call 808-244-2969 with general questions before submitting a written request.
The district court contact information page on the Hawaii Judiciary website lists current contact details for Lahaina District Court and other Second Circuit satellite locations for Maui County.
Lahaina District Court at 1870 Honoapiilani Highway handles the Lahaina Division serving West Maui, but most records requests from this location are processed through the Legal Documents Branch at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku.
Types of Records at the Second Circuit
The Second Circuit Court holds a wide range of case files and documents. Civil cases produce pleadings, motions, orders, and final judgments. Criminal cases generate arrest records, charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and probation terms. Family Court files contain divorce decrees, custody agreements, child support orders, and protective orders. Probate matters, including wills, estate inventories, and guardianship orders, are also held at Hoapili Hale.
Docket sheets list every filing and action taken in a case and are generally public. Hearing transcripts can be requested but may take time to prepare if a court reporter has not yet completed the transcript. Evidence and exhibits may have restricted access depending on the type of case. Sealed records, juvenile records, and certain family court matters are not available to the general public and require a court order to access.
Self-Help and Legal Resources in Maui
The court's self-help center at Hoapili Hale assists people who are handling legal matters without an attorney. It operates on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Volunteers and staff can help with forms, procedures, and general questions. Call 808-909-2841 for more details. Court forms used in Maui proceedings can also be downloaded from the Hawaii Judiciary forms page.
The Children's Justice Center serves families involved in cases with child abuse allegations. It is located at 1773-A Wili Pa Loop in Wailuku, and can be reached at 808-244-7926. This office coordinates with the court system but is separate from the courthouse itself.
Historical court records predating the current electronic system may be held at the Hawaii State Archives in Honolulu rather than at Hoapili Hale. The Hawaii State Archives is located at 364 S King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone 808-586-0329. If you are researching older cases and cannot locate them in eCourt Kokua, the Archives is the next place to check.
Public records access in Hawaii is governed by the Uniform Information Practices Act, found in Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92F. The Office of Information Practices handles complaints and questions related to public records requests that are denied or delayed.
Cities in Maui County
Three cities in Maui County have populations large enough to warrant their own records pages. Each is served by the Second Circuit Court system based in Wailuku.
Other Hawaii Counties
Court records for other Hawaii counties are handled by separate circuits. Each county has its own page with courthouse contacts, search procedures, and local details.