How to file small claims in Hawaii

Sue for up to $5,000 in the District Court (small claims); filing fee around $60.

Hawaii District Courts hear small claims up to $5,000 (no cap for security deposits); the decision is final and cannot be appealed.

• Dollar limit: $5,000 — $5,000 generally; no limit for return of a residential security deposit.
• Filing fee: $60 — About $35–$60 plus service.
• Where to file: District Court (small claims)
• Lawyers at the hearing: allowed

1. Confirm your claim is at or under the dollar limit and within the statute of limitations for your claim type.
2. Send a written demand letter first — most courts expect it, and it often gets you paid without filing.
3. Get the correct filing form (often a "Statement of Claim" or "Plaintiff's Claim") from the District Court clerk or the court's website.
4. File the form with the District Court for the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened, and pay the filing fee.
5. Arrange service of process so the defendant is officially notified (by the sheriff, certified mail, or a process server, per local rules).
6. Gather your evidence — contract, texts, photos, receipts, the demand letter — and bring organized copies to your hearing.
7. Show up on your court date and present your case; if you win, ask the judge how to collect the judgment.
8. Hawaii small-claims decisions are final and cannot be appealed; security-deposit claims have no dollar cap.

What are you suing for?

• Suing for unpaid loan in Hawaii: 6 years to file
• Suing for security deposit in Hawaii: 6 years to file
• Suing for property damage in Hawaii: 2 years to file
• Suing for unpaid rent in Hawaii: 6 years to file
• Suing for contractor dispute in Hawaii: 6 years to file

Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 633-27. Reviewed 2026-06-17 (verify with the court clerk).

Nearby states: California ($12,500).

General legal information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by county and court; consult a licensed attorney or your court clerk.

Updated July 2026