Small Claims Plainly

State guide

Hawaii

This is general information, not legal advice. Hawaii hears simplified cases in the small claims division of the district court. The Judiciary's questions-and-answers guide says the division may handle a case for the recovery of money when the amount claimed is no more than $5,000, excluding interest and costs the court may award. The same guide says a counterclaim may be no more than $40,000, plus interest and costs. It also covers residential security-deposit disagreements, return of leased or rented personal property worth $5,000 or less when the rent claimed does not exceed $5,000, and certain shopping-cart cases. The guide cites Chapter 633 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes and the small-claims rules.

Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

Try a ZIP like 30303, “Travis County” or “Columbus, OH”
Which court hears it
Small claims division of the district court
Dollar limit we could verify
The Judiciary's small-claims guide says the division may handle a money claim of no more than $5,000, excluding interest and costs. A defendant's counterclaim may be no more than $40,000, plus interest and costs. Return of leased personal property is limited to property worth $5,000 or less and rent claimed within $5,000.
Statute or court page
Official page →
Filing or self-help page
Official page →

Lawyers are allowed in most small-claims cases, and the guide says you pay your own lawyer unless a statute says otherwise. The exception is sharp: if the case is about keeping or returning a residential security deposit, neither side may be represented by an attorney. That rule surprises landlords and tenants who show up with counsel. Read it before you hire someone for a deposit dispute. The guide also says the district-court staff cannot give legal advice or draft your papers. The First Circuit publishes the pamphlet, and it describes the statewide division created by Chapter 633.

A counterclaim above $5,000 changes the jury-trial picture. The guide says that if a counterclaim is filed for more than $5,000, either party may ask to transfer the case to circuit court for a jury trial, if the request is timely and the required deposit is made. If the counterclaim is $5,000 or less, or if the claim is one the small-claims division hears exclusively, the guide says neither side has a jury-trial right. Security-deposit cases are in the exclusive group. Know which paragraph your case falls under before you promise a witness that a jury will hear the story.

The district-court rules of the small-claims division, published by the Judiciary, say a case starts by filing a statement of claim, and they set a hearing date not less than 5 nor more than 30 days from filing unless the court orders otherwise. They also address service by a process server or by registered or certified mail, addressee only, with a return receipt. Those rule numbers are the ones to read if the hearing is set quickly. Bring the lease, photos, and receipts to that first date, because the calendar is short.

Official resources in Hawaii

Hawaii small claims guide

Judiciary pamphlet stating the $5,000 money claim and the $40,000 counterclaim figure.

Hawaii district courts

Judiciary page stating that small claims are cases in which the amount claimed does not exceed $5,000.

Hawaii Judiciary

Court home page for forms, rules, and district-court locations.

Key facts for Hawaii

What to do next

  1. Do not bring a lawyer to a residential security-deposit case. The guide forbids it for both sides.
  2. If you are the defendant with a large counterclaim, read the jury-transfer instructions before the trial starts.
  3. Serve using the mail or personal-service method the rules describe, and file the receipt.
  4. Bring proof to the first hearing, because the rules set a short date.

Looking for your city or county in Hawaii?

We haven't found official court-level pages for Hawaii we can verify yet, so we don't show local numbers here rather than guess. Here's what to use instead, in order:

  1. General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Hawaii, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
  2. Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.
    Hawaii State Judiciary
    Website →
    Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.
    Your city or county office: Local governments →
    Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Hawaii page on USA.gov can point you to the right office.
  3. Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.

Helpful guides

Small claims planner →

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