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.

How long do you have on a property damage claim in Hawaii?

2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under HRS §657-7.

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).

How long you have in Hawaii

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.

How long you have in Hawaii
Kind of claim	Window	Counted from	Rule
Unpaid Invoice	6 years	the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken	HRS §657-1(1)
Unpaid Loan	6 years	the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken	HRS §657-1(1)
Contractor Dispute	6 years	the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken	HRS §657-1(1)
Auto Repair	6 years	the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken	HRS §657-1(1)
Security Deposit	6 years	the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken	HRS §657-1(1)
Other	6 years	the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken	HRS §657-1(1)
Property Damage	2 years	the day the damage happened	HRS §657-7
Sale of Goods	4 years	the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken	HRS §490:2-725(1)

Worked example

If the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken was 2026-03-15, a window of 6 years runs out on 2032-03-15. That is the same arithmetic the check uses: calendar months, clamped to the end of the month, and no roll forward to the next court day.

More about Hawaii

Common questions

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.
How long do you have on a property damage claim in Hawaii?: 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under HRS §657-7.
How long do you have on a sale of goods claim in Hawaii?: 4 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under HRS §490:2-725(1).
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).

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 §657-1(1) · effective 1978-07-01 · A claim to recover money owed under an agreement, written or spoken, must be filed within six years of when the right to claim arose.
HRS §657-7 · effective 1972-07-01 · A claim for damage to your property must be filed within two years of the damage.
HRS §490:2-725(1) · effective 1967-01-01 · A claim about a sale of goods must be filed within four years of the breach.

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