How to Get a Restraining Order in Hawaii
In Hawaii these are called Temporary Restraining Order (TRO); Order for Protection. A protective order is a court order that tells someone to stop abusing, threatening, stalking or contacting you. Here is how to ask for one, what happens next, and where to get free help — each rule linked to the statute or official court page.
Quick answers for Hawaii
- Emergency / temporary orders
- A family court judge can grant an ex parte temporary restraining order without notice to the other person. You will not see a judge the same day; the judge reviews your petition and grants or denies it. HRS §§ 586-4(a), 586-5(a); Hawaii Judiciary self-help
- How long an order lasts
- After the hearing, the court can issue a protective order for a fixed reasonable period it considers appropriate (for a minor, it can extend past age 18). It can be extended for further fixed periods after a hearing; HRS § 586-5.5; Hawaii Judiciary self-help
- Where to ask
- Call the Family Court TRO Unit (Oahu 808-538-5959, Maui 808-244-2706, Hawaii island 808-969-7798, Kauai 808-482-2330), Monday–Friday 7:45 a.m.–4:15 p.m. A TRO court officer helps prepare the documents; Hawaii Judiciary, Family Court Protective Order
Last verified: 2026-10-25
Safety first
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
- You can talk to a trained advocate any time, for free and confidentially, through the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
- Advocates can help you make a safety plan and fill out the court forms. Many courts have advocates on site.
- Keep copies of the order with you. Give copies to people who need to know, such as your workplace or your child's school.
Getting an order
| Types of orders | Family Court temporary restraining orders (TRO) and orders for protection for domestic abuse by a family or household member; District Court TROs and injunctions against harassment for people who are not related and never lived together. |
|---|---|
| Who can ask for an order | For a Family Court order, the other person must be a family or household member: a current or former spouse or reciprocal beneficiary, someone you have a child with, a parent, a child, a blood relative, a current or former dating partner, or someone you live or lived with (not just as roommates for economic reasons). If not related and never lived together, file in District Court. |
| Where to ask | Call the Family Court TRO Unit (Oahu 808-538-5959, Maui 808-244-2706, Hawaii island 808-969-7798, Kauai 808-482-2330), Monday–Friday 7:45 a.m.–4:15 p.m. A TRO court officer helps prepare the documents; the process can take up to 2 hours. On Oahu, file at the Circuit Court building (Punchbowl and Pohukaina streets) or Family Court in Kapolei. |
Emergency orders and the hearing
| Emergency / temporary orders | A family court judge can grant an ex parte temporary restraining order without notice to the other person. You will not see a judge the same day; the judge reviews your petition and grants or denies it. A TRO lasts up to 180 days or until a protective order takes effect, whichever comes first. |
|---|---|
| Serving the order | Orders must be personally served on the respondent or served by certified mail, unless the respondent was at the hearing. A copy is mailed to the county police chief. Source: HRS § 586-6 |
| The court hearing | A hearing is held no later than 15 days after the TRO is granted, with notice to all parties. If the respondent has not been served, a new date can be set within 90 days of the TRO. If your petition alleges domestic abuse, the court must let you attend remotely. Source: HRS § 586-5(b) |
| How long an order lasts | After the hearing, the court can issue a protective order for a fixed reasonable period it considers appropriate (for a minor, it can extend past age 18). It can be extended for further fixed periods after a hearing; in District Court, injunctions can last up to three years. |
What the order does
| What an order can require | Orders can prohibit contacting, threatening or physically abusing you and people living with you, and entering or visiting your home; require a party to leave the home; protect household animals; and, in a protective order, set temporary custody and visitation of children and require domestic violence intervention. Source: HRS §§ 586-4, 586-5.5 |
|---|---|
| Firearms | A person under a protective order or restraining order may not possess, control or transfer ownership of any firearm or ammunition while the order is in effect, and must turn them over to the county police department for safekeeping. Police may take custody of firearms when serving the order. Source: HRS § 134-7(f) |
| If the order is violated | Knowingly or intentionally violating a TRO or order for protection is a misdemeanor. A first conviction for violating an order for protection carries a mandatory minimum of 5 days in jail and a $300–$500 fine; a second or later conviction carries at least 45 days and a $500–$1,000 fine, plus required domestic violence intervention. Report violations to police (911). |
Children and privacy
| Minors and children | A minor 16 or older can file on their own without a parent's consent, as can an emancipated minor. A family or household member or a state agency can file on behalf of a minor. Source: HRS § 586-3(b) |
|---|
Forms and help in Hawaii
- Hawaii courts: protective order help
- Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (HSCADV) — (808) 832-9316 (office)
- Free legal aid in Hawaii
Hawaii protective order FAQ
What kinds of protective orders are available in Hawaii?
Family Court temporary restraining orders (TRO) and orders for protection for domestic abuse by a family or household member; District Court TROs and injunctions against harassment for people who are not related and never lived together.
Who can get a restraining order in Hawaii?
For a Family Court order, the other person must be a family or household member: a current or former spouse or reciprocal beneficiary, someone you have a child with, a parent, a child, a blood relative, a current or former dating partner, or someone you live or lived with (not just as roommates for economic reasons). If not related and never lived together, file in District Court.
Where do I file for a restraining order in Hawaii?
Call the Family Court TRO Unit (Oahu 808-538-5959, Maui 808-244-2706, Hawaii island 808-969-7798, Kauai 808-482-2330), Monday–Friday 7:45 a.m.–4:15 p.m. A TRO court officer helps prepare the documents; the process can take up to 2 hours. On Oahu, file at the Circuit Court building (Punchbowl and Pohukaina streets) or Family Court in Kapolei.
How fast can I get an emergency protective order in Hawaii?
A family court judge can grant an ex parte temporary restraining order without notice to the other person. You will not see a judge the same day; the judge reviews your petition and grants or denies it. A TRO lasts up to 180 days or until a protective order takes effect, whichever comes first.
What happens at the restraining order hearing in Hawaii?
A hearing is held no later than 15 days after the TRO is granted, with notice to all parties. If the respondent has not been served, a new date can be set within 90 days of the TRO. If your petition alleges domestic abuse, the court must let you attend remotely.
How long does a restraining order last in Hawaii?
After the hearing, the court can issue a protective order for a fixed reasonable period it considers appropriate (for a minor, it can extend past age 18). It can be extended for further fixed periods after a hearing; in District Court, injunctions can last up to three years.
What can a protective order do in Hawaii?
Orders can prohibit contacting, threatening or physically abusing you and people living with you, and entering or visiting your home; require a party to leave the home; protect household animals; and, in a protective order, set temporary custody and visitation of children and require domestic violence intervention.
Does a protective order affect firearms in Hawaii?
A person under a protective order or restraining order may not possess, control or transfer ownership of any firearm or ammunition while the order is in effect, and must turn them over to the county police department for safekeeping. Police may take custody of firearms when serving the order.
How is a restraining order served in Hawaii?
Orders must be personally served on the respondent or served by certified mail, unless the respondent was at the hearing. A copy is mailed to the county police chief.
What happens if someone violates a protective order in Hawaii?
Knowingly or intentionally violating a TRO or order for protection is a misdemeanor. A first conviction for violating an order for protection carries a mandatory minimum of 5 days in jail and a $300–$500 fine; a second or later conviction carries at least 45 days and a $500–$1,000 fine, plus required domestic violence intervention. Report violations to police (911).
Can a minor get a restraining order in Hawaii?
A minor 16 or older can file on their own without a parent's consent, as can an emancipated minor. A family or household member or a state agency can file on behalf of a minor.
Protective orders in other states
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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.