Kauai County Traffic Court Records
Kauai County traffic court records are maintained by the Hawaii State Judiciary through the Fifth Circuit, which serves the islands of Kauai and Niihau. The county has a single centralized courthouse in Lihue, Puuhonua Kaulike, where the Traffic Violations Bureau, District Court, Circuit Court, and Family Court are all located. If you received a traffic citation on Kauai, need to search a traffic case, or want to request a certified traffic abstract, this page covers the courthouse, online search tools, and the process for accessing records.
Kauai County Traffic Court Overview
Fifth Circuit Court in Kauai County
All Kauai County traffic court matters are handled at a single location, Puuhonua Kaulike in Lihue. This courthouse houses the Traffic Violations Bureau, District Court, Circuit Court, and Family Court for the Fifth Circuit. The District Court at this location has jurisdiction over traffic violations, misdemeanors, civil cases up to $40,000, small claims under $5,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and temporary restraining orders. Office hours are 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state holidays. Counter hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Full contact details are on the Fifth Circuit Kauai contact page.
| Traffic Violations Bureau (Fifth Circuit) | Puuhonua Kaulike, 3970 Ka'ana Street, Room A-105, Windows 5, 6, and 7 Lihue, HI 96766 Phone: (808) 482-2355 |
|---|---|
| District Court Clerks | Phone: (808) 482-2645 |
| Circuit Court Information | Phone: (808) 482-2300 |
| Legal Documents Branch | Phone: (808) 482-2330 |
| Civil Division | Phone: (808) 482-2303 |
| Self-Help Center | Phone: (808) 909-2836 |
| Jury Information Line | Phone: (808) 482-2331 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Counter hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
The Kauai County Law Library is located within the Puuhonua Kaulike complex and provides access to legal documents and research assistance for residents handling traffic or other court matters.
The Fifth Circuit contact page on the state judiciary website provides current numbers for every department at the Kauai courthouse, from the Traffic Violations Bureau to Family Court.
The Self-Help Center at (808) 909-2836 is a resource for residents who need assistance understanding how the court process works for traffic and other cases.
Searching Kauai County Traffic Court Records Online
eCourt Kokua is the primary online tool for searching Fifth Circuit traffic court records. Access it through the Hawaii Judiciary court records search page. The system is free, available around the clock, and does not require registration. You can search by party name, case number, or citation number. Results include case status, hearing dates, docket entries, and financial assessments for traffic cases filed in the Lihue District Court. For civil and family cases in Circuit or Family Court, the Ho'ohiki portal provides additional access.
For offline access to Kauai County traffic court records, visit the Fifth Circuit Court at Puuhonua Kaulike, 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue, HI 96766. Call (808) 482-2300 to confirm what you need to bring and what the current requirements are before visiting. Some records may be confidential or restricted; basic case information is publicly accessible, but detailed records may require in-person requests.
The District Court contact information page lists the Kauai District Court phone number as (808) 482-2355 for traffic matters. That is the direct line for the Traffic Violations Bureau at Puuhonua Kaulike.
The eCourt Kokua search portal is updated as case actions occur, so checking it is a good first step before calling or visiting the courthouse.
The portal covers all case types in the Fifth Circuit, including traffic infractions, misdemeanor cases, and appellate matters filed on Kauai.
Kauai Police Department Traffic Records
Traffic citations on Kauai are issued by the Kauai Police Department (KPD). Once a citation is filed, court matters are handled by the Fifth Circuit District Court, not the police department. For police reports related to traffic incidents, the KPD Records Section handles requests from the public. Visit the Kauai Police Department Records Section page for information on how to request crash reports and other police records. The KPD Records Section is a separate process from court record requests.
Under HRS Chapter 291D, defendants have 21 days after receiving a traffic citation to respond. For Kauai County citations, you can pay online through eTraffic Hawaii, by phone at (800) 679-5949, in person at the Traffic Violations Bureau in Lihue, or by mail. If your citation requires a court appearance, you must appear at the Lihue District Court on the date shown on the ticket. Failing to appear can result in a bench warrant.
Moving violations issued on Kauai appear on a certified traffic abstract under HRS Section 287-3. Abstracts cost $20 and can be requested at the Traffic Violations Bureau at Puuhonua Kaulike.
The Kauai Police Department Records Section handles police report requests while the Fifth Circuit courthouse handles all court record requests, citations payments, and traffic abstracts.
Police records and court records are maintained separately, so you may need to contact both offices depending on what information you need.
Traffic Abstracts and Record Copies in Kauai County
The Traffic Violations Bureau at Puuhonua Kaulike in Lihue is where you go for certified traffic abstracts, citation payments, and traffic record requests in Kauai County. The standard traffic abstract covers all alleged moving violations and convictions, plus any license revocations. The fee is $20 per abstract. Bring your full name, date of birth, and driver license number. Mail requests are accepted with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order or cashier's check for $20 payable to "District Court."
For a traffic court report (the complete abstract including parking and equipment citations), the cost is $1.00 for the first page and 50 cents for each additional page. This report is only available in person with a valid photo ID and cannot be ordered by mail. The Judiciary provides accommodations for persons with disabilities and court interpreters for people with limited English proficiency at no charge. To request disability accommodations, contact the court at least 10 days in advance.
Note: Online case information through eCourt Kokua is not a certified record. For a certified traffic abstract required by insurance companies or government agencies, you must request one at the Traffic Violations Bureau in Lihue.
Traffic case records for Kauai County are also available through the eCourt Kokua portal for free basic searches, or through the Kauai District Court in person for certified copies.
Basic case information is publicly accessible at no charge, while in-depth records and certified copies require a visit to the courthouse or a mail request with the appropriate fee.
Communities Served by the Fifth Circuit
All communities on Kauai and Niihau file traffic cases with the Fifth Circuit District Court in Lihue. This includes Lihue, Kapaa, Waimea, Princeville, Koloa, and all other communities on the island. There is one District Court on Kauai, so all traffic matters are handled at the Puuhonua Kaulike complex regardless of where on the island the citation was issued.
Other Hawaii Counties
Traffic cases outside Kauai County are handled by other judicial circuits across the state.