How much can you claim in small claims court in Hawaii?

An individual can claim up to $5,000. A business can claim up to $5,000. A public agency can claim up to $5,000. That comes from HRS §633-27(a).

What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Hawaii?

$35 for a claim up to $5,000. That comes from Hawaii State Judiciary, List of Civil Filing Fees (Small Claims).

How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Hawaii?

The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under HRS §657-7. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.

Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Hawaii?

No, Hawaii does not require it, per Hawaii State Judiciary, Small Claims Questions and Answers. Sending a demand letter first is still the usual first step, and it is often what gets the money paid.

Which court handles small claims in Hawaii?

District Court, Small Claims Division. The small claims division of the district court for the circuit where the other side lives or where the dispute happened.

Small claims in Hawaii

The court

District Court, Small Claims Division: The small claims division of the district court for the circuit where the other side lives or where the dispute happened.

The court's own small claims page

The most you can claim

The small claims limit in Hawaii
Claiming as	Most you can claim	Rule
An individual	$5,000	HRS §633-27(a)
A business	$5,000	HRS §633-27(a)
A public agency	$5,000	HRS §633-27(a)

What it costs to file

The fee runs from $35 to $35, set by the size of the claim.

Hawaii State Judiciary, List of Civil Filing Fees (Small Claims) · The filing fee for a small claims statement of claim, including a security deposit claim, is $35.

How long you have

The shortest window in this state is 2 years from the day the damage happened.

HRS §657-7 · A claim for damage to your property must be filed within two years of the damage.

Also worth knowing

A claim for property damage against a county usually needs written notice to the county official named in its charter within two years of the damage, stating when, where, and how it happened and the amount claimed. HRS §46-72
A tenant's claim against a landlord about a residential security deposit is heard in the small claims division with no dollar limit. Other claims above $5,000 go to the district court's regular civil calendar. HRS §633-27(a)

Does small claims fit your dispute in Hawaii?

Pick what it is about. The next screens ask the amount and the dates. Nothing is saved, and no account is needed.

The detail

The limit
The limit is the most the court can award on one claim. It depends on who is claiming, and in some states on which court hears it.
What it costs
The court charges this when you hand in the claim. It is separate from the amount you are claiming.
How long you have
Every kind of claim has its own window, counted from the day the clock started. Miss it and the court usually cannot hear the claim.

Common questions

How much can you claim in small claims court in Hawaii?: An individual can claim up to $5,000. A business can claim up to $5,000. A public agency can claim up to $5,000. That comes from HRS §633-27(a).
What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Hawaii?: $35 for a claim up to $5,000. That comes from Hawaii State Judiciary, List of Civil Filing Fees (Small Claims).
How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Hawaii?: The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under HRS §657-7. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Hawaii?: No, Hawaii does not require it, per Hawaii State Judiciary, Small Claims Questions and Answers. Sending a demand letter first is still the usual first step, and it is often what gets the money paid.
Which court handles small claims in Hawaii?: District Court, Small Claims Division. The small claims division of the district court for the circuit where the other side lives or where the dispute happened.

Verify with your court

Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Hawaii's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.

Open the court's small claims page

Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2022-06-17.

HRS §633-27(a) · effective 2011-07-01 · The small claims division of the district court hears money claims of up to $5,000, not counting interest and costs. A dispute between a tenant and landlord about a residential security deposit is heard there with no dollar limit.
Hawaii State Judiciary, List of Civil Filing Fees (Small Claims) · effective 2022-06-17 · The filing fee for a small claims statement of claim, including a security deposit claim, is $35.
HRS §657-7 · effective 1972-07-01 · A claim for damage to your property must be filed within two years of the damage.
Hawaii State Judiciary, Small Claims Questions and Answers · effective 2026-09-05 · Hawaii does not require a written demand before filing a small claim; the court says it is normally not necessary to show earlier attempts to collect. Asking first is still the usual first step.
HRS §46-72 · effective 2007-07-01 · A claim for property damage caused by a county or its employees needs written notice to the county official named in its charter within two years, stating when, where, and how the damage happened and the amount claimed.

FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.