Hawaii Small Claims for a Security Deposit: Where to File, What It Costs, Does It Fit
In Hawaii, a security deposit claim is heard by District Court (Small Claims Division); the court for your county is listed below. The comparable deposit claim limit varies by court. The filing fee in 5 of 5 listed counties with a comparable amount is $35. Pick your county, calculate your deadline, then send a dated letter.
State law last checked .
Filing facts
| Court | District Court (Small Claims Division) · Court source |
|---|---|
| Listed limits and jurisdictions | $5,000 (District Court Small Claims Division general claims; residential security-deposit return claims heard in Small Claims with no statutory monetary cap per HI Judiciary self-help only) |
| Comparable deposit claim limit | Residential security deposit return claims have no statutory monetary cap in Small Claims under Hawaii Judiciary guidance. |
| Time limit to sue, from state data | 1 years; check when the claim accrued before counting from it. |
| Listed county filing fees | The filing fee in 5 of 5 listed counties with a comparable amount is $35. |
| E-filing | 5 yes, 0 no, 0 unverified among 5 listed counties |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Deposit statute | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 |
Which county is the rental in?
Does your claim fit the limit?
No comparable statewide deposit claim limit is available: Residential security deposit return claims have no statutory monetary cap in Small Claims under Hawaii Judiciary guidance. Choose your county and confirm the applicable court limit.
From a letter to court
- Calculate the return date and send a letter using your own move-out date, deposit and state conditions.
- Keep the letter, delivery proof, lease, payment records and photos.
- Use your county guide and court's official instructions to check the filing location and fee.
Calculate your deadline and next letter
Your free letter
Get a DOCX letter with the dates and amount you entered.
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit return | 14 days | after the termination of the rental agreement |
Hawaii return rule: 14 calendar days. Check the dates you entered above.
Free Hawaii template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Hawaii law (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 14 calendar days after the termination of the rental agreement.
Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.
Who do you name in the claim?
Compare the name on the lease and deposit receipt with the property record and the Hawaii DCCA Business Registration Division. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant. Confirm the defendant with the court or legal aid.
What to bring to the clerk
- Lease and deposit receipt or payment record.
- Demand letter and proof of delivery.
- Move-out photos, inventory and any itemized deductions.
- Your calculation and the cited deposit statute.
What you can recover
failure to furnish required written notice/itemization within 14 days: landlord forfeits right to retain any part of deposit and must return entire deposit; if court finds wrongful and wilful retention, damages may equal three times the amount wrongfully and wilfully retained plus costs; if wrongful (not wilful), damages equal the amount wrongfully retained plus costs Bad faith required: No.
This is class P1, found in 36 of 51 jurisdictions. Computed from cited state records, not measured outcomes.
Statute says
If the landlord does not furnish the tenant with the written notice and other information required by this subsection, within fourteen days after the termination of the rental agreement, the landlord shall not be entitled to retain the security deposit or any part of it... The landlord wrongfully and wilfully retained a security deposit or part of a security deposit, the court may award the tenant damages in an amount equal to three times the amount of the security deposit, or part thereof, wrongfully and wilfully retained and the cost of suit.
What this means
Tenant resources
- Legal Aid Society of Hawaiilegal aid, 808-536-4302
- Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection - Landlord-Tenant Codeag consumer
- Hawaii Judiciary - Small Claims Informationcourt self help
- Hawaii Office of Consumer Protectionag consumer
- Hawaii Landlord-Tenant Information Centerhotline, 808-586-2634
FAQ
Which court handles a security deposit claim in Hawaii?
District Court (Small Claims Division). Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
What is the deposit claim limit in Hawaii?
Residential security deposit return claims have no statutory monetary cap in Small Claims under Hawaii Judiciary guidance.
What is the return deadline in Hawaii?
14 calendar days