Small Claims Court
HRS 633-27 — up to $5,000, a fee of not more than $35, and no appeal
- The small claims division of the district court hears claims for money only where the amount does not exceed $5,000, not counting interest and costs.
- Its jurisdiction over residential security deposit disputes is exclusive, apart from a summary possession case in the district court, and they are filed in the circuit where the rental is.
- It hears claims for the return of leased or rented personal property worth less than $5,000.
- A case is filed where the defendant lives or where the claim arose.
Who handles this in Hawaii: Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii and Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center; and legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Hawaii directory.
It awards money and, between landlord and tenant, orders to repair, replace, refund, reform or rescind, but no punitive damages and no class actions. The clerk prepares the papers for an individual on request, though not for a business.
- The fee for the summons, trial, judgment and satisfaction is not more than $35, and the judge may waive costs for a plaintiff unable to pay.
- With the court's approval, anyone may appear for a party without pay, except that in a deposit dispute no lawyer may.
- There is no appeal from a small claims judgment, though the court may alter or set it aside under its rules.
- A party entitled to a jury who demands one has the case sent to the circuit court.
Sources for this section (4)
- HRS 633-27 — District courts; powers
- HRS 633-28 — Small claims, no appeal; appearance by whom
- HRS 633-29 — Fees and costs; waiver
- HRS 633-31 — Jury trial; demand; assignment to other court
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Hawaii attorney.