Eviction in Hawaii County, Hawaii
Where eviction cases are filed in Hawaii County, what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Hawaii County
- Eviction court
- District Court of the Third Circuit - Regular Claims (summary possession) — District court Court page
- Filing fee
- $155 District Court complaint (assumpsit; summary possession/landlord-tenant; personal injury/property damages; replevin) Hawaii State Judiciary - List of Civil Filing Fees (updated 6/17/2022), District Court Regular Claims
- Notice before filing (state law)
- From Feb. 5, 2026: written notice of at least 10 calendar days to pay, on a form with required contents, with a copy provided to a state-funded mediation center. If the tenant schedules mediation within the 10 days, the landlord may not file until 20 calendar days after the tenant received the notice (unless the tenant skips or cancels mediation), and the landlord must participate. Hawaii rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $2,076/month HUD
- Renter households
- 19,277 (26% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28
Where eviction cases are filed in Hawaii County
Eviction cases in Hawaii County are heard by the District Court of the Third Circuit - Regular Claims (summary possession) (District court).
- Hilo District Court (Hale Kaulike) — 777 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720 (address of Hale Kaulike as listed for the Hilo courts); Civil-Regular and Small Claims (808) 961-7515; information (808) 961-7470 · website
- Kona District Court (Keahuolu Courthouse) — 74-5451 Kama'eha Avenue, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740; (808) 322-8700 · website
- South Kohala District Court (Waimea) — Waimea Civic Center, 67-5187 Kamamalu Street, Kamuela, HI 96743; (808) 443-2030 · website
Court eviction page · Self-help center
The District Court's Regular Claims division hears all summary possession (eviction) cases regardless of the amount sought. Hawaii Island has District Court locations in Hilo, Kona and Waimea.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Hawaii County
$155 District Court complaint (assumpsit; summary possession/landlord-tenant; personal injury/property damages; replevin)
Statewide District Court fee. Service of process costs are separate.
The Hawaii eviction process
Hawaii state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Hawaii County:
- Notice: 10-calendar-day pay-or-terminate notice with mediation-center copy (nonpayment); 10-day cure notice (lease or rule violations); 45-day notice (month-to-month)
- Optional pre-filing mediation in nonpayment cases (Act 278 pilot, Feb. 5, 2026 - Feb. 4, 2028); filing not before day 20 if mediation scheduled
- Landlord files summary possession complaint (nonpayment complaints must show the notice was sent to the mediation center)
- Summons returnable at a hearing date set under court rules; tenant appears at the return hearing
- Judgment for possession; in nonpayment cases the writ is stayed if the tenant pays rent, 8% interest, costs, and landlord's attorney's fees before the writ issues
- Writ of possession executed by the sheriff, police officer, or authorized civil process server
Full Hawaii eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Hawaii County
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Hawaii County, HI (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,592 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,603 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,076 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,622 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,024 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Hawaii County: $1,510/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure is governed by state law. City rules, if any, are on city pages.
Eviction help in Hawaii County
Free legal help
- Legal Aid Society of Hawaii — Hawaii Island offices: Hilo, 101 Aupuni Street, PH 1002, Hilo, HI 96720; Kona, Hualalai Center, Suite B303A, 75-170 Hualalai Road, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. Neighbor-island toll-free intake: 1-800-499-4302.
Tenant and eviction lawyers in Hawaii County
Other Hawaii counties
Related
- Hawaii landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Hawaii
- Hawaii eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Hawaii (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Hawaii County?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Hawaii County?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Hawaii County?
What is the fair market rent in Hawaii County?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.