Hawaii State District Courts
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The Hawaii State District Courts are a level of state courts in Hawaii.
They have exclusive jurisdiction for traffic infractions, summary possession and ejectment proceedings between landlords and tenants (eviction), regardless of the amount of the claim; non-jury trial civil cases, where the relief sought is under US$10,000, and small-claims cases where the amount claimed does not exceed $3,500.
In addition, the District Courts have jurisdiction over civil cases where the debt, amount, damages, or value of the property claimed does not exceed $25,000; the remedy sought is specific performance valued under $25,000; criminal offenses punishable by fine or by imprisonment do not exceed one year (misdemeanors); cses arise from violations of a county ordinance; and petitions for restraining orders for relief from and for injunctions against harassment are involved.
[edit] Small Claims Court
The Hawai'i State Small Claims court is a division of the District Courts. Its primary purview is civil cases in which the amount in controversy is $3,500 or less. If the party being sued counterclaims against the plaintiff bringing the suit, the small claims court will still retain jurisdiction if the counterclaim is $25,000 or less.
The small claims court also has jurisdiction over all returns of residential security deposits from landlords, regardless of amount; returns of leased or rented personal property, where the property is worth $3,500 or less and where the rental amount claimed does not exceed $3,500; and suits to recover damages or repossess items stolen from business property, such as shopping carts, shopping baskets, or other similar devices.
The advantage of the small claims process is that it is informal. However, a disadvantage is that the decision of the judge is final and there is no right to appeal.
