Filing Bankruptcy in Hawaii: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

Hawaii is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii (https://www.hib.uscourts.gov).

1 person: $85,254; 2 people: $106,202; 3 people: $123,454; 4 people: $142,181; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026).

Filers may choose either Hawaii's exemptions or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d).

An interest in one parcel of real property in Hawaii worth up to $30,000 (fair market value over prior liens) for a head of a family or a person 65 or older, or up to $20,000 for any other person. Only one exemption per parcel. Does not apply against mortgages, tax liens and certain other liens.

One motor vehicle up to $2,575 over all liens, measured by wholesale used-car guide prices. A vehicle used in the debtor's trade or business may instead be covered by the tools-of-the-trade exemption, which has no dollar cap.

None. Hawaii's exemption statutes (HRS ch. 651) list specific property types; no general exemption for property of the filer's choosing was found.

Rights to pensions, annuities, retirement and disability allowances and other benefits under plans described in Internal Revenue Code sections 401(a), 401(k), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A, 414(d) or 414(e), and ABLE accounts, are exempt, including in bankruptcy. Not exempt: qualified domestic relations orders, and contributions made within three years before filing for bankruptcy (with a limited exception for state-statute retirement plans).

Wages, salaries, commissions and other pay for personal services rendered during the 31 days before the proceeding are exempt.

The court has a "Filing Without an Attorney" section with About Bankruptcy, Before Filing and After Filing pages, plus forms, local forms and local rules.

District of Hawaii (the state's only bankruptcy district): under the court's Chapter 13 Attorney Fee Guidelines, an attorney who opts in may have presumptively reasonable fees allowed as part of plan confirmation without a detailed fee application; the amounts are stated in Local Form H2016R, Chapter 13 Rights, Responsibilities and Fee Agreement (4/25). That form sets a $5,650 Presumptive Fee for Standard Services (standard services through 1 year after plan confirmation), plus a $450 "success fee" if the plan is confirmed at or before the initially scheduled confirmation hearing, and additional presumptive fees of $1,150 per parcel of real property or vehicle for a plan requesting valuation of collateral, and $1,150 per real property parcel for a motion to avoid a lien in real property. Presumptive fee amounts include associated costs (including any general excise tax per the Guidelines). Opposed preconfirmation matters and uncovered services require a standard fee application.