Find Divorce Records in Kihei

Kihei divorce records are handled by the Second Circuit Family Court in Wailuku, about 30 to 40 minutes north of Kihei. All divorce cases filed in Maui County go through that court, so whether you need to search for an old case or get a copy of a final decree, Hoapili Hale in Wailuku is where you start. You can also search case information online through the Hawaii State Judiciary's eCourt Kokua system before making the drive. This page covers what's available online, how to get copies, what it costs, and where to find help if you need it.

Second Circuit Family Court in Wailuku

If you live in Kihei and need to file for divorce, get copies of divorce records, or look up a case in person, you go to Hoapili Hale in Wailuku. This is the main courthouse for the Second Judicial Circuit, which covers all of Maui County including Kihei, Lahaina, Hana, Molokai, and Lanai. The Family Court division handles all divorce and dissolution filings. There is no family court clerk office in Kihei itself, so Wailuku is the place to go.

The drive from Kihei to Wailuku takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic on Pi'ilani Highway and through Kahului. Plan to get there early in the day so you have enough time to deal with whatever you need. The courthouse has public access terminals on the first floor where you can look up legal documents and case files without using the online system.

The public access terminals at Hoapili Hale are located on the first floor. One terminal is in the Legal Documents area and another is near the Traffic Violations Bureau. Both give you access to case files for Second Circuit matters. You don't need to place a staff request just to look up basic case info at those terminals.

Search Kihei Divorce Records Online

Online search is especially useful for Kihei residents. Before you commit to the drive to Wailuku, use the Hawaii State Judiciary's eCourt Kokua system to check whether a case exists and see its current status. The search is free. You just select "Second Circuit" from the court selector and enter a name or case number.

eCourt Kokua shows party names, case type, filing date, hearing dates, and docket entries. It won't show you the full text of documents in the file, but it gives you enough to confirm whether a case is there and what circuit handled it. If you need to download a specific document from the system, the fee is $3 per document. That is still cheaper and faster than driving to Wailuku for a quick lookup.

To search, you'll want at least one party's full name and a rough idea of the filing year. A case number speeds things up if you have one. Divorce cases in the Second Circuit are typically filed under the "FC-D" case type designation, which stands for Family Court Divorce.

The court records search page on the Hawaii State Judiciary website also links to public access terminal locations and has general guidance on what each circuit's records contain. The legal documents public access terminal page covers how in-person terminals work statewide.

The eCourt Kokua portal lets you search Second Circuit divorce cases from Maui by name or case number at no cost. You pay only if you download individual documents.

Getting Copies of Divorce Records

You can get copies of Kihei divorce records in person at Hoapili Hale or by mail. Call the Records Division at (808) 244-2752 before you visit to confirm what they need and whether your file is available on site. Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $2 for the first page and $1 for each page after that.

If you want to request by mail, send a written request to Second Circuit Court – Family Division at Hoapili Hale. Your letter should include the full names of both parties, the approximate filing date, and the case number if you have it. Include a copy of your photo ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a money order or cashier's check made out to the State Director of Finance. Do not send personal checks or cash.

Divorce certificates from the Hawaii Department of Health cover only cases from 1951 through 2002. The DOH stopped issuing divorce certificates in February 2026. For cases after 2002, or if you need the actual court decree rather than a certificate, you need to go through the Second Circuit Family Court directly. The Maui District Health Office is located at 54 South High Street, Room 301, Wailuku, HI 96793, and can be reached at (808) 984-8210 for questions about older records.

One thing to be aware of: the Maui DOH office does not offer walk-in pickup service. All vital records certificates from that office are mailed. If you need a divorce certificate quickly and were expecting to pick it up in person, plan for delivery time instead. You can also order through the state's online portal at vitrec.ehawaii.gov. The fee is $10 for a certified copy and $4 for each additional copy in the same order.

Note: The DOH vital records portal at health.hawaii.gov/vitalrecords has full details on what certificates are available and what the current ordering process looks like.

Filing for Divorce in Kihei

Kihei residents file for divorce at the Second Circuit Family Court in Wailuku. Hawaii uses a no-fault divorce system under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 580-41. You don't have to prove fault or wrongdoing by either spouse. The court grants a divorce when it finds that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

Residency rules under HRS § 580-1 require that one spouse be domiciled in Hawaii at the time of filing. Hawaii does not have a minimum residency waiting period before you can file, which sets it apart from many other states. You just need to be domiciled here, meaning Hawaii is your legal home. Kihei qualifies, so if you live here you can file in the Second Circuit.

Property division is governed by HRS § 580-47, which gives the court broad equitable powers. The judge weighs 13 factors when dividing assets and debts, including the length of the marriage, each spouse's economic circumstances, and contributions made by each party. Hawaii is not a strict community property state, so the split doesn't have to be exactly 50/50.

When a divorce case is filed, an Automatic Temporary Restraining Order takes effect under HRS § 580-10.5. This ATRO prevents either spouse from selling or transferring property, changing insurance coverage, or taking children out of state while the case is active. The ATRO applies to both parties automatically once the petition is served.

The Hawaii State Judiciary's divorce self-help page has forms, instructions, and guides for people who want to handle their own case. It covers both contested and uncontested divorces and walks through each step of the process.

The Hawaii courts self-help divorce page has all the forms and instructions you need to file on your own in the Second Circuit, including cases filed by Kihei residents.

Divorce Filing Fees for Kihei Residents

The filing fee to start a divorce case in the Second Circuit is $215 for cases without minor children and $265 for cases that involve children. These fees are set by the Hawaii State Judiciary and apply at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku.

Other costs to plan for:

• Plain copies of court records: $1 per page
• Certified copies: $2 for first page, $1 per page after that
• eCourt Kokua document downloads: $3 per document
• DOH divorce certificate (1951–2002): $10 first copy, $4 each additional
• Service of process: varies depending on method

If cost is a barrier, you can ask the court about a fee waiver. The court staff at Hoapili Hale can point you toward the right forms, or you can check the self-help section on the Hawaii State Judiciary site. Legal Aid Society of Hawaii can also help low-income residents navigate the process at no cost.

Historical Divorce Records for Maui

For older divorce cases from Maui, the Hawaii State Archives holds Second Circuit records going back to 1848. The archive collection covers filings from 1848 through 1900, plus a 1915 set, and is cataloged under microfilm roll MFL 54. If you're doing genealogy research or need to verify a very old divorce, the State Archives is the right place to look.

The Hawaii State Archives has a genealogy research guide specifically for divorce case files at ags.hawaii.gov. The guide explains what's in the collection, the date ranges covered, and how to request access. Records from this era are not available through eCourt Kokua. You need to contact the archives directly or visit in person at the Kekauluohi Building in Honolulu.

For legal research on Hawaii court records more broadly, the University of Hawaii at Manoa Library maintains a guide at guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/hawaiicourts that covers court record types, access methods, and where different sets of historical records are held.

Note: For cases from 1901 through 1950, access may vary. Contact the Second Circuit Family Court Records Division at (808) 244-2752 or the State Archives to find out where those records are stored.

Legal Help for Kihei Divorce Cases

Several resources are available for Kihei residents who need legal help with a divorce. Whether you want to understand the process, get help filling out forms, or find an attorney, there are places to start without spending a lot of money.

The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii offers free legal services to people who qualify based on income. They handle family law matters including divorce and can help with paperwork, court prep, and understanding your rights. Contact them through their website to see if you qualify and to ask about availability on Maui.

The Hawaii State Judiciary self-help center at courts.state.hi.us/self-help/divorce has all the court forms and step-by-step instructions for filing on your own. The site is set up for people who don't have an attorney and covers both agreed and disputed divorces. For Kihei residents handling a straightforward, uncontested case, the self-help materials are often enough to get through the process.

If you want help finding an attorney, the Hawaii State Bar Association maintains a lawyer referral service. You can also check the UH Manoa Library's Hawaii courts research guide at guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/hawaiicourts for links to court resources and research tools. The clerks at Hoapili Hale can direct you to the right forms and explain the process, but they cannot give legal advice.

Maui County Divorce Records

Kihei is in Maui County, and all divorce filings for the area go through the Second Circuit Family Court at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku. The county page has more detail on the court system, online access options, and other resources available throughout Maui County.

View Maui County Divorce Records

Nearby Cities

These cities in Maui County also file divorce cases through the Second Circuit Family Court in Wailuku.