Find Traffic Court Records in Hawaii County
Hawaii County traffic court records are managed by the Hawaii State Judiciary through the Third Circuit, which covers the entire island of Hawaii. The county operates three District Court locations in Hilo, Kona, and South Kohala to handle traffic citations and hearings from communities across the Big Island. If you need to look up a traffic case, get a certified traffic abstract, or pay a citation issued anywhere on Hawaii Island, this page covers where to go, how to search online, and what you need to bring to the courthouse.
Hawaii County Traffic Court Overview
Third Circuit District Court Locations
Hawaii County traffic court records are processed through the Third Circuit, which has three courthouse locations serving different parts of the island. All locations operate Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with counter hours for traffic matters from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Traffic Violations Bureau for the Third Circuit is located at the Hilo courthouse. Full contact details are on the Third Circuit Hawaii Island contact page.
| Hilo District Court (Traffic Violations Bureau) | Hale Kaulike, 777 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: (808) 961-7470 Circuit Court Information: (808) 961-7400 Legal Documents: (808) 961-7400 |
|---|---|
| Kona District Court | Keahuolu Courthouse, 74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Phone: (808) 322-8700 |
| South Kohala District Court | Waimea Civic Center, 67-5187 Kamamalu Street, Kamuela, HI 96743 Phone: (808) 443-2030 |
| Family Court (Third Circuit) | Civil: (808) 961-7415 Criminal/Juvenile: (808) 961-7473 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Traffic counter: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
The Hilo District Court serves the South Hilo, North Hilo, Hamakua, and Puna Divisions. The Kona District Court handles North Kona, South Kona, and Ka'u. South Kohala District Court covers the South Kohala and North Kohala Divisions.
The Third Circuit Hawaii Island contact page on the judiciary website lists every department, fax number, and direct phone line for courthouse operations in Hawaii County.
This page is the official source for verifying current hours and contact information before making a trip to the courthouse.
Searching Hawaii County Traffic Court Records Online
The main tool for searching Hawaii County traffic court records online is eCourt Kokua, available through the Hawaii Judiciary court records search page. You can search Third Circuit cases by party name, case number, or citation number. Basic case information is free. The system shows case status, hearing dates, docket entries, and financial assessments for traffic cases filed in the Hilo, Kona, and South Kohala District Courts. eCourt Kokua is available 24 hours a day and does not require registration.
Public access computer terminals are also available at the Hilo and Kona courthouses during regular business hours. These let you view records on-screen at no charge. If you need printed copies, copy fees apply. The Hilo Law Library at Hale Kaulike provides additional resources, including an eCourt Kokua kiosk for viewing public court records. The library also offers access to GovInfo for federal government information, Hein Online for legal research, and LexisNexis Digital Library for more in-depth legal materials.
In-person requests for court record copies can be made at the Third Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The Hilo Division is at 777 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 961-7400. The Kona Division is at 74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, (808) 322-8700. Records can be inspected free of charge during regular business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 92F-11. Copying fees apply for printed copies.
The Third Circuit's traffic court records, including case details and hearing schedules, are searchable online through eCourt Kokua by selecting the Third Circuit and entering your search criteria.
The eCourt Kokua system covers all case types in the Third Circuit, including traffic infractions, District Court criminal matters, and Circuit Court cases.
Hawaii County Police and Traffic Citations
Traffic citations on the Big Island are issued primarily by the Hawaii County Police Department (HCPD). Citations are filed with the Third Circuit District Courts and processed through the court system from there. The police department does not handle payments or court appearances. For a police report related to a traffic incident, the HCPD provides an online request process. Visit the Hawaii County Police Department records request page for details on how to request crash reports and other police records.
After a citation is filed, defendants in Hawaii County have 21 days to respond under HRS Chapter 291D. You can pay online through eTraffic Hawaii, by phone at (800) 679-5949, in person at any District Court, or by mail. Citations requiring a court appearance must be handled in person. Failing to respond within 21 days can result in a default judgment and a hold on your license renewal or vehicle registration.
Traffic crimes on Hawaii Island, including DUI and reckless driving, are prosecuted as criminal cases at the Hilo or Kona District Courts depending on where the incident occurred.
The HCPD records request page explains what types of reports are available, how to submit requests, and what fees may apply for copies of police records.
Police records and court records are separate systems, so you may need both sources depending on what information you are trying to obtain.
Hawaii County Traffic Abstracts and Record Copies
Certified traffic abstracts are available at the Traffic Violations Bureau at Hale Kaulike in Hilo and at the Kona District Court. The fee is $20 per abstract. Under HRS Section 287-3, the abstract shows all alleged moving violations and resulting convictions, along with any administrative license revocations. Mail requests are accepted with a self-addressed stamped envelope, a money order or cashier's check for $20 payable to "District Court," and your full name, date of birth, and driver license number.
For a traffic court report (complete abstract, including parking and equipment citations), the cost is $1.00 for the first page and 50 cents per additional page. This report is only available in person with a valid photo ID. It cannot be ordered by mail. Personal inspection of records is available during regular hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at no charge under state law.
Note: Online records through eCourt Kokua are not certified and cannot substitute for an official traffic abstract. For certified copies needed for licensing or insurance purposes, visit the Traffic Violations Bureau in person or request by mail.
Hawaii County traffic court records are publicly accessible through the eCourt Kokua portal, where you can search by party name, case number, or citation number at no cost.
The online search is a useful starting point to confirm case details before visiting the courthouse to request certified copies.
Cities in Hawaii County
All communities on Hawaii Island file traffic cases with the Third Circuit District Courts. The following city has a dedicated page with local court resources.
Other communities on Hawaii Island, including Kailua-Kona, Waimea, and Pahoa, are also served by the Third Circuit courts. Traffic cases from these areas go through the Kona or South Kohala District Courts depending on location.
Other Hawaii Counties
Traffic cases outside Hawaii County are handled by other judicial circuits. Select a county below to find courts and resources for that area.