Access Traffic Court Records in Kalawao County
Kalawao County traffic court records are processed through the Second Circuit in Maui County. Kalawao is the smallest county in the United States by land area and is located on the Kalaupapa Peninsula of Molokai. The county does not operate its own courthouse. Traffic citations issued within Kalawao County boundaries are handled by the Second Circuit, with cases accessible through the Molokai District Court and searchable online through the same tools used for all Hawaii State Judiciary records.
Kalawao County Traffic Court Overview
How Traffic Court Works in Kalawao County
Kalawao County occupies the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north side of Molokai. The county was founded in 1905 and is now the location of Kalaupapa National Historical Park, managed by the National Park Service. The resident population is very small, approximately 88 people. Because of its limited size and its status as primarily a national park, Kalawao County has no courthouse of its own. All judicial matters for Kalawao, including any traffic citations issued within county boundaries, fall under the Second Judicial Circuit based in Wailuku, Maui.
The Molokai District Court at 55 Makaena Street, Kaunakakai, HI 96748, phone (808) 553-1100, is the primary court location for Kalawao County matters. Kaunakakai is the main community on Molokai, across the island from the Kalaupapa Peninsula. The Molokai District Court hears cases from all of Molokai, including any matters originating in Kalawao County. For more complex cases or Circuit Court matters, residents and parties must travel to Hoapili Hale in Wailuku, Maui, where the Second Circuit Court is based.
The Kalaupapa National Historical Park's website at nps.gov/kala provides information about the park, its history, and conditions on the Kalaupapa Peninsula, which is relevant background for anyone dealing with matters in this area.
Physical copies of court records for matters originating in Kalawao County are kept at the Maui Circuit Court Clerk's office in Wailuku. The main contact for Second Circuit records is Hoapili Hale, 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793-1679, phone (808) 244-2929, fax (808) 244-2849.
Kalaupapa National Historical Park covers most of the county's land area, giving Kalawao its unusual status as both a county and a federally managed historical site.
Accessing Kalawao County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records for Kalawao County are accessible through the same tools used for all Second Circuit cases. eCourt Kokua is the main online portal. Search Second Circuit cases at the Hawaii Judiciary court records search page by entering a party name, case number, or citation number. Results show case status, hearing dates, and financial information. The system is free and available 24 hours a day.
For in-person access, the two relevant locations are the Molokai District Court in Kaunakakai and the main Second Circuit courthouse at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku, Maui. The Molokai District Court at 55 Makaena Street, Kaunakakai, HI 96748, (808) 553-1100, handles local District Court matters. The Wailuku courthouse handles Circuit Court cases and more involved record requests. Its contact information is: Hoapili Hale, 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793, phone (808) 244-2846 for District Court clerks and (808) 244-2929 for Circuit Court.
The Second Circuit Maui contact page lists all departments and phone numbers for the Wailuku courthouse, which handles records for both Maui County and Kalawao County matters at the circuit level.
Since Kalawao has no courthouse of its own, all certified copies and formal record requests go through the Second Circuit office in Wailuku.
Traffic Citations Issued in Kalawao County
Traffic citations issued within Kalawao County boundaries are filed with the Second Circuit and processed just like any other Maui County traffic case. Defendants have 21 calendar days to respond under HRS Chapter 291D. Payment options include online through eTraffic Hawaii, by phone at (800) 679-5949, in person at the Molokai District Court or the Wailuku District Court, or by mail. Citations requiring a court appearance must be handled at the appropriate District Court based on where the citation was issued.
The unique geography of Kalaupapa creates logistical considerations. The peninsula is only accessible by air, by mule trail, or by foot, and access is restricted since it is a national park. Court matters for residents or people cited in this area are typically handled through the Molokai District Court in Kaunakakai, which is the nearest operational court on Molokai Island.
Moving violations issued in Kalawao County appear on a certified traffic abstract just like any other Hawaii traffic violation. Abstracts cost $20 and are available at the Second Circuit Traffic Violations Bureau at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku, (808) 244-2800, under HRS Section 287-3.
Despite the county's small size, its records are part of the same state court system and are fully searchable through eCourt Kokua like any other Second Circuit case.
Online Search for Second Circuit Traffic Records
Because Kalawao County is part of the Second Circuit, searching its traffic court records online follows the same process as Maui County. Go to the Hawaii Judiciary search court records page and select the Second Circuit. Enter your search terms. The system will return matching cases from the Second Circuit, which covers Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kalawao. Basic case information is free. If you need certified documents, you must visit or mail a request to the Second Circuit courthouse in Wailuku.
The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center at 465 South King Street, Room 101, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone (808) 587-3100, handles criminal history record checks statewide. This is a separate system from the eCourt Kokua court records portal and handles background checks rather than individual traffic case lookups.
Note: Kalawao County has no independent courthouse. All traffic court matters are handled through the Second Circuit, with the Molokai District Court serving as the nearest operational court and Hoapili Hale in Wailuku serving as the circuit-level facility for certified records.
For additional context on Kalawao County's court history and how records are maintained for this jurisdiction, the Hawaii State Archives provides access to historical judiciary records going back to 1839.
Historical Kalawao records from earlier periods, including those from the Kalaupapa Settlement era, are accessible through the State Archives rather than through the current court system.
Other Hawaii Counties
Traffic cases in other Hawaii counties are handled by their respective judicial circuits. Select a county below to find the courts and resources for that area.