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Eviction in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu), Hawaii

Where eviction cases are filed in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu)

Eviction court
District Court of the First Circuit - Civil Division (Regular Claims / Summary Possession) — District court Court page
Filing fee
$155 (complaint for summary possession, District Court) Hawaii State Judiciary, District Court Filing Fees and Costs (HRS 607-4(b)(1), incl. $35 indigent legal services surcharge HRS 607-5.7 and $20 administrative fee HRS 607-4(b)(10))
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)
$2,642/month HUD
Renter households
136,264 (40% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22

Where eviction cases are filed in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu)

Eviction cases in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu) are heard by the District Court of the First Circuit - Civil Division (Regular Claims / Summary Possession) (District court).

Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center

The District Court hears all summary possession (eviction) cases regardless of the amount sought. District Court civil eFiling (JEFS) has been available since 10/7/2019; self-represented parties can register once they have an active civil case. Case records: eCourt Kōkua.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu)

$155 (complaint for summary possession, District Court)

From the court's official fee schedule PDF (rev. 12/31/2013, effective Jan. 1, 2014); the Judiciary's later List of Civil Filing Fees PDF (updated 6/17/2022, https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Civil-Filing-Fees.pdf) shows the same $155. A judge may waive fees for hardship (O'ahu form 1DC13, Ex Parte Application for Relief From Costs). No fee figure stated for Act 278 nonpayment complaints; service and writ costs not verified.

Source: Hawaii State Judiciary, District Court Filing Fees and Costs (HRS 607-4(b)(1), incl. $35 indigent legal services surcharge HRS 607-5.7 and $20 administrative fee HRS 607-4(b)(10))

How eviction cases work locally

Pre-filing eviction mediation (Act 278)For residential evictions based on nonpayment of rent alone (effective Feb. 5, 2026), the Judiciary runs a statewide pre-filing mediation program; Mediation Centers of Hawaiʻi / the Mediation Center of the Pacific serve Oʻahu. (Notice requirements are state law - see state page.)
Source: Official source
Steps to Avoid Eviction (STAE)Judiciary-supported effort to steer landlords and tenants to mediation, legal aid and assistance early.
Source: Official source

The Hawaii eviction process

Hawaii state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu):

  1. 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)
  2. Optional pre-filing mediation in nonpayment cases (Act 278 pilot, Feb. 5, 2026 - Feb. 4, 2028); filing not before day 20 if mediation scheduled
  3. Landlord files summary possession complaint (nonpayment complaints must show the notice was sent to the mediation center)
  4. Summons returnable at a hearing date set under court rules; tenant appears at the return hearing
  5. 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
  6. Writ of possession executed by the sheriff, police officer, or authorized civil process server

Full Hawaii eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Urban Honolulu, HI MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$1,877
1 bedroom$2,016
2 bedrooms$2,642
3 bedrooms$3,674
4 bedrooms$4,432

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu): $2,083/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No City and County of Honolulu landlord-tenant ordinance identified.

Eviction help in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu)

Free legal help

Rental assistance

City rules in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu)

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu)?
Eviction cases in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu) are filed with the District Court of the First Circuit - Civil Division (Regular Claims / Summary Possession).
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu)?
$155 (complaint for summary possession, District Court)
Where can I get help with an eviction in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu)?
Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi; Legal Navigator Hawaiʻi; Aloha United Way 2-1-1.
What is the fair market rent in Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu, Oʻahu)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $2,642 per month (1-bedroom: $2,016).

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.