Kauai County Criminal Court Records
Kauai County criminal court records are maintained by the Fifth Circuit Court, located in the Pu'uhonua Kaulike Building in Lihue. Kauai County serves the island of Kauai, and its court system handles the full range of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters for county residents. You can search criminal court records online at no cost through eCourt Kokua, visit the courthouse in Lihue for in-person requests, or contact the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center for conviction history checks.
Kauai County Overview
Fifth Circuit Court - Kauai County
The Fifth Circuit Court in Lihue handles all judicial matters for Kauai County. The court system includes Circuit Court for felony criminal cases and civil disputes over $40,000, District Court for misdemeanors, traffic, and civil under $40,000, Family Court for divorce and custody matters, and Small Claims Court for disputes under $5,000. The Kauai County Law Library within the complex provides access to legal documents and research assistance. The Records Department handles copy requests during business hours.
| Court Complex | Pu'uhonua Kaulike Building 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue, HI 96766 |
|---|---|
| Records Department | (808) 482-2347 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Copy Fees | $1.00 per page (standard), $2.00 per page (certified) |
| Online Records | courts.state.hi.us - eCourt Kokua |
In-person records requests at the Kauai courthouse require completing a records request form with the subject's full name, date of birth, or case number. Present valid government-issued photo ID and pay applicable fees. The Records Department hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Kauai County Law Library within the complex provides legal research assistance and access to court records databases.
Criminal court records for Kauai County cases that include a conviction are public and available from the clerk during business hours. Online access is available through eCourt Kokua for case information including hearing dates, case status, and party names. No cost for basic searches.
The Fifth Circuit Court at the Pu'uhonua Kaulike Building in Lihue handles all Kauai County criminal court records from misdemeanor cases at the District Court level through felony matters at the Circuit Court level.
How to Search Kauai County Criminal Court Records
The State of Hawaii Judiciary makes Kauai County case information available online through eCourt Kokua. The system covers traffic, District Court and Circuit Court criminal cases, Family (Adult) Court criminal cases, civil matters, Land Court, Tax Appeal Court, and appellate cases from Kauai. Basic case information is free. Search by entering first and last name of the record subject. Additional details such as case type and filing dates help refine results.
Records available through the Kauai County court system include:
- Case number and filing date
- Charges filed and case type
- Hearing dates and times
- Case status and disposition
- Judgment information
- Attorney of record
Mail requests to the Fifth Circuit Court Records Department go to 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue, HI 96766. Include the subject's full legal name and aliases, date of birth, Social Security number if available, notarized consent if requesting another person's records, return address, and check or money order for fees. Allow 10 to 15 business days for mail requests. Online eCrim searches cost $5.00 per name-based search for conviction history checks.
Kauai County Criminal History Checks
Criminal history record checks for Kauai County can be conducted through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center or in person at the Fifth Circuit Court. HCJDC provides statewide criminal history including Kauai County arrests and convictions. Their eCrim portal costs $5 per name-based online search. An official printed report costs $12. Direct requests to HCJDC cost $25 for name checks at public access sites and $35 for fingerprint-based checks.
| Online Search | eCrim portal at ag.hawaii.gov/hcjdc - $5 per search |
|---|---|
| Name Check (public site) | $25 per printed copy, money order or cashier's check |
| Fingerprint Check | $35 per request through authorized agency |
| In-Person Kauai | Fifth Circuit Court Records Dept., 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue, HI 96766 |
| HCJDC Mail | 465 South King Street, Room 101, Honolulu, HI 96813 |
| HCJDC Phone | (808) 587-3100 |
Only conviction information is public through HCJDC. Non-conviction records, pending cases, and juvenile records are confidential. Kauai County criminal court records for conviction cases are also accessible through eCourt Kokua for the case information view, with actual documents requiring payment or a courthouse visit.
Kauai County criminal records are accessible through the Fifth Circuit Court in Lihue and through HCJDC's statewide criminal history system for conviction information checks.
What Kauai County Criminal Records Are Public
Public records in Kauai County are defined under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 92F-3 as government records required by law to be disclosed. Kauai County criminal court records follow this framework, with conviction records generally accessible and non-conviction data confidential. The Fifth Circuit Court maintains public records of criminal case filings, hearing dates, docket entries, and final judgments.
Kauai County also maintains a broader set of public records beyond court files. These include property records through the Bureau of Conveyances, vital records through the Hawaii Department of Health, business records through various county departments, tax records through the Real Property Tax Division, and voting records through the County Clerk. The Hawaii State Judiciary provides the Ho'ohiki database for searching certain Family Court civil records. For offline access to court records, visit the Fifth Circuit Court in Lihue.
Restricted records include juvenile proceedings, sealed cases, and family court domestic relations files. Under HRS Section 846-2.7, criminal history checks for certain purposes require specific authorization.
Kauai County public records include court records through the Fifth Circuit, property records, vital records, and other government documents maintained by state and county agencies on the island.
Note: The Kauai County Law Library within the Pu'uhonua Kaulike Building provides free access to legal materials and can assist with court record research for Kauai County cases.
Kauai County Court Record Fees
Standard copy fees at the Fifth Circuit Court are $1.00 per page for standard copies and $2.00 per page for certified copies. Records in off-site storage require a retrieval fee plus standard copy costs. Mail requests need case information, fees, and a return address. Allow 10 to 15 business days for mail requests from Kauai to process. The Records Department at (808) 482-2347 can confirm current fees and procedures.
Online document purchases through eCourt Kokua cost $3 for 1 to 30 pages and 10 cents per additional page. Subscriptions for unlimited downloads cost $125 per quarter or $500 per year. Online eCrim searches through HCJDC cost $5 for a name-based search, with official reports at $12. Fingerprint-based checks through authorized agencies cost $35 per request.
Kauai County court records searches can be conducted at the courthouse in Lihue, through eCourt Kokua online, or through the HCJDC system for criminal history conviction data.
Important: For Kauai County cases, always confirm whether the record was filed at the Fifth Circuit in Lihue or at a satellite court on another part of the island before making a trip.
Cities in Kauai County
Kauai County covers the island of Kauai. All criminal court records for island residents are filed through the Fifth Circuit Court system at the Lihue complex.
Kauai's communities include Lihue, Kapaa, Waimea, Princeville, Hanapepe, and many others. All criminal court matters for these communities go through the Fifth Circuit Court in Lihue.
Nearby Counties
Other Hawaii counties each have their own judicial circuit. Criminal court records for matters on those islands are held by the appropriate circuit court.