Urban Honolulu Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records for Urban Honolulu are held at the First Circuit District Court, located at Kauikeaouli Hale on Alakea Street. If you need to search traffic court records for a case in the Honolulu Division, you can use the free eCourt Kokua online portal or visit the court in person. The Traffic Violations Bureau handles most requests and can pull up case details, abstracts, and document copies. This guide walks you through how the system works, what you can get, and where to go.
- Circuit: First Circuit
- Division: Honolulu Division (Red Hill to Hawaii Kai)
- Traffic Violations Bureau: (808) 538-5500
- Counter Hours: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday
The First Circuit Court in Urban Honolulu
The Honolulu District Court is part of Hawaii's First Circuit and sits at Kauikeaouli Hale, 1111 Alakea Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. This building is the main courthouse for traffic matters in Urban Honolulu. The Honolulu Division covers everything from Red Hill on the west end out to Hawaii Kai on the east. If you got a traffic citation anywhere in that stretch, the First Circuit is where it was filed. The court does not just handle moving violations. It also processes cases for speeding, running red lights, driving without insurance, and other civil infractions under Hawaii law.
The Traffic Violations Bureau is on the third floor of Kauikeaouli Hale. Counter hours run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office itself is open from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. if you need to reach staff by phone. The main number for traffic matters is (808) 538-5500. For criminal and traffic documents specifically, call Legal Documents Branch 2 at (808) 538-5100. Civil document requests go to (808) 538-5151. If you want to send a request by mail, call (808) 538-5149 first or send an email to LDB2.1DC@courts.hawaii.gov.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 1111 Alakea Street, 3rd Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813 |
| Traffic Violations Bureau | (808) 538-5500 |
| Legal Documents Branch 2 (Criminal & Traffic) | (808) 538-5100 |
| Legal Documents Branch 2 (Civil) | (808) 538-5151 |
| Mail Requests | (808) 538-5149 or LDB2.1DC@courts.hawaii.gov |
| Counter Hours | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday |
| Office Hours | 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Search Urban Honolulu Traffic Cases Online
The Hawaii Judiciary offers a free public search tool called eCourt Kokua. You can use it to find traffic court records for Urban Honolulu without leaving home. The system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at no cost. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. Results show case status, hearing dates, charges, and disposition. It is the quickest way to check if a citation was filed or to confirm a case outcome.
The eCourt Kokua search portal covers the full First Circuit, so you can pull up cases from Urban Honolulu's Honolulu Division alongside other areas in the circuit. Case details are visible at the summary level for free. If you need actual documents from the file, those carry a small fee: $3 per document or $0.10 per page, plus $2 extra for certified copies. You can also check the Hawaii courts self-help traffic page for more guidance on reading case information and understanding what each case status means.
The eCourt Kokua online portal is the official place to search Urban Honolulu traffic court cases from the First Circuit. The screenshot below shows how the search interface looks when you pull up traffic records by name or citation number.
Public access terminals are also available inside Kauikeaouli Hale from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you prefer to search in person. Legal Documents is on the third floor. Call (808) 538-5629 before visiting if you are not sure whether the documents you need are available online or if you want to confirm they are ready to pick up.
Traffic Abstracts and Driving Records
A traffic abstract is a formal record of your driving history as it appears in the court system. It lists past traffic violations, case outcomes, and any points or suspensions tied to your license. The Traffic Violations Bureau at Kauikeaouli Hale issues these for $20. You can get one in person at the counter or by mail.
To request by mail, send a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a $20 money order made out to "District Court." Include your full name, date of birth, and driver's license number. Mail the package to the Traffic Violations Bureau at 1111 Alakea Street, 3rd Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813. Processing time can vary, so plan ahead if you need the abstract for a deadline. Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 287-3 sets the rules for how driving records are maintained and who can access them. The abstract you get from the court reflects case-level data rather than the full DMV record. For a complete driver history from the state, the Hawaii Department of Transportation also offers driver history records through its Motor Vehicle Safety Office.
The court also has a separate traffic court report, sometimes called a complete abstract. That document costs $1 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. It is only available in person and requires a photo ID. The traffic abstract and the traffic court report are two different things, so make sure you know which one you need before you go.
Traffic abstracts are available at the Traffic Violations Bureau counter during hours 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For mail requests, include a money order only. Cash and checks are not accepted by mail.
Honolulu Police Department and Traffic Citations
The Honolulu Police Department is the agency that writes traffic citations in Urban Honolulu. When an officer stops a driver and issues a ticket, HPD records that citation on their end. But the legal case is filed with the First Circuit District Court, not with HPD. The two systems are separate. If you want to look up the court case tied to a citation, you go to eCourt Kokua or the Traffic Violations Bureau. If you want to find out about the citation itself before it was filed, or if you have questions about HPD's process, the department's website has more detail.
The Honolulu Police Department website covers traffic services, how citations are issued, and how to contact HPD for citation-related questions in Urban Honolulu.
HPD also posts daily arrest logs on its site. If you need to find out about an arrest related to a traffic stop, the arrest log is a starting point. For inmate information, call (808) 832-1777. Citations go to the court, not to HPD, so for case updates, hearings, or outcomes, always check eCourt Kokua or call the Traffic Violations Bureau directly.
The HPD citations and citation books policy page explains how officers issue traffic citations in Urban Honolulu, including the rules around citation books and enforcement procedures.
Paying a Traffic Citation in Honolulu
Hawaii offers an online payment system called eTraffic Hawaii. You can use it to pay a traffic citation without going to the courthouse. The portal accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 3 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday from noon to midnight Hawaii Standard Time. If you prefer to pay by phone, call (800) 679-5949.
Under HRS Chapter 291D, most traffic violations in Hawaii are classified as civil infractions rather than criminal matters. That means you have 21 days from the citation date to respond. You can pay the fine, request a hearing, or take a traffic course if you are eligible. The eTraffic Hawaii payment portal handles the payment side. If you want to contest the citation or request a hearing, you need to contact the Traffic Violations Bureau directly. Missing the 21-day window can result in additional fees and a default judgment.
The court's fee schedule for record requests at the First Circuit includes a $5 search fee, $1 for the first page of copies, $0.50 for each page after that, $2 for certification, and $10 for expedited processing.
Legal Help Available at the Courthouse
Kauikeaouli Hale has an Access to Justice Room open to the public. The room provides free, short-term legal consultations. Attorneys and AmeriCorps Advocates staff the room and can help you understand your rights and options for your traffic case. This is a good resource if you are not sure whether to pay a fine, request a hearing, or take some other action. The consultation is free and does not require an appointment. It is not a full legal representation service, but it can help you figure out your next step.
The First Circuit District Court resource page on Legal Navigator Hawaii has more information about the court's services, hours, and what to expect when you visit. If you are dealing with a more complex traffic matter, such as a license suspension or a case that carries criminal charges, it may be worth speaking with a private attorney. The Access to Justice Room can help point you in the right direction even if your situation goes beyond what they can handle on the spot.
Honolulu County Court Records
Urban Honolulu sits within Honolulu County. All traffic cases from the Honolulu Division are filed through the First Circuit Court, which serves the county. The county page has more detail on courts, record access, and services across all of Honolulu County.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Urban Honolulu also have traffic court records pages. Cases from these areas may also be handled by the First Circuit or nearby district courts.