Honolulu County, Hawaii: Small Claims for a Security Deposit
Limits: $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). E-filing: Yes. Court: First Circuit District Court - Small Claims Division. County filing fee: $35.
Filing facts
| State small claims limits | $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) |
|---|---|
| County filing fee | $35, per the Hawaii Judiciary small-claims guidance. |
| E-filing | Yes |
| Time limit to sue in Hawaii | 1 years. |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Penalty formula | 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. |
| Deposit statute | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 |
Where to file
First Circuit District Court - Small Claims Division
Courthouse city: Honolulu
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.
Court page check not recorded
See how to file in Hawaii for the state filing procedure.
Rent and deposits in Honolulu County
County median gross rent: $2,054 per month.
| Bedrooms | Monthly rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,400 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,555 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,071 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,894 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,427 |
Illustrative deposit example computed from the county median rent: one month of the Census two-bedroom median is $2,071; two months is $4,142. This is an example computed from the county median, not a legal cap or a survey of deposits. The calculations below use the one-month deposit of $2,071.
State legal maximum deposit in Hawaii: Not more than one month's rent ($2,071 at the example rent), plus an optional additional pet security deposit not exceeding one month's rent ($2,071 at the example rent) (not for assistance animals). At the beginning of the rental agreement landlord may receive first month's rent ($2,071 at the example rent) and the security deposit only (no other upfront money).
County filing fee for a deposit-only claim of $2,071: $35, about 2% of that deposit, rounded to a whole percent. Adding other amounts to the claim may change the filing fee.
Total households in Honolulu County: 337,061.
Renter households: 136,375 (40.5% of all households).
Renters spending more than half their household income on rent: 6.4%. A delayed deposit refund can leave these households with less money for their next rent payment.
County rent and household source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070. Accessed .
Will my deposit claim fit the limit?
Using the county Census figure: two-bedroom median gross rent for Honolulu County, $2,071 per month.
The deposit range does not include penalties, interest, or other amounts you may claim.
- Compared with $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), the whole deposit range fits.
A claim above the applicable limit must either be reduced to that limit or go to a different court.
Courthouse details
Address: 1111 Alakea Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808-538-5629
Address and phone checked against the court's own page on 2026-09-21
Statewide help
- Legal Aid Society of Hawaii
free civil legal assistance for low-income Hawaiʻi residents statewide, including landlord-tenant code issues, eviction resources, and other housing problems; neighbor-island intake is 1-800-499-4302
Phone: (808) 536-4302
- Volunteer Legal Services Hawaiʻi
free legal assistance for low- and moderate-income Hawaiʻi residents on private landlord-tenant and other district-court matters through volunteer attorneys
Phone: (808) 528-7046
- Hawaiian Council
HUD-certified housing counseling statewide, including tenant rights and responsibilities, rental-subsidy counseling, and help advocating with landlords
Phone: (808) 596-8155
These are independent organisations, not DemandLetterLab.
From letter to filing
- Send a Hawaii security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 14 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in Hawaii: 1 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
This template uses Hawaii law. Your county decides where you file, not which law applies.
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.
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Honolulu County?
County filing fee: $35, per the Hawaii Judiciary small-claims guidance.
How long do I have to sue?
Time limit to sue in Hawaii: 1 years.
Where do I file?
First Circuit District Court - Small Claims Division. Courthouse city: Honolulu. Check the court's instructions for the right filing location.