Kalawao 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: Second Circuit District Court - Molokai. Statewide 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)
Statewide filing fee	$35.
E-filing	Yes
Time limit to sue in Hawaii	1 years.
State deposit return deadline	14 calendar days after the termination of the rental agreement.
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

Second Circuit District Court - Molokai

Courthouse city: Kaunakakai

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.

Official court website

Court page check not recorded

See how to file in Hawaii for the state filing procedure.

Rent and deposits in Kalawao County

County median gross rent: $1,300 per month.

Rent estimates for the other bedroom sizes were suppressed or not published by the Census Bureau.

State legal maximum deposit in Hawaii: Not more than one month's rent, plus an optional additional pet security deposit not exceeding one month's rent (not for assistance animals). At the beginning of the rental agreement landlord may receive first month's rent and the security deposit only (no other upfront money).

Total households in Kalawao County: 22.

Renter households: 22 (100% of all households).

Renters spending more than half their household income on rent: 54.5%. 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 2026-09-21.

Will my deposit claim fit the limit?

Using the county Census figure: median gross rent for Kalawao County, $1,300 per month.

A deposit of one to two months at that rent would range from $1,300 to $2,600. This is an example, not a legal deposit cap.

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.

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.

Choose how to send your letter

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We write the letter from the facts you send, mail it by USPS Certified Mail with tracking, and send you the tracking number and a PDF record of what was sent.

Mailed within 2 business days of your completed form, or a full refund.

Document preparation and mailing, not legal advice. We do not assess your claim, choose a strategy, or promise a recovery.

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A print-ready PDF of the Hawaii letter template, ready to download after payment.

Certified-mail instructions: what to ask for at the counter and what it costs.
Hawaii small-claims details: the limit, the deadline to sue, and where to file.

You fill in the template, print it, and pay postage. The same letter template is also available free by email below. The kit adds the print-ready PDF, mailing guide, and local details in one place.

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Free Hawaii template, built from verified state data

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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 Kalawao County?

Statewide filing fee: $35.

How long do I have to sue?

Time limit to sue in Hawaii: 1 years.

Where do I file?

Second Circuit District Court - Molokai. Courthouse city: Kaunakakai. Check the court's instructions for the right filing location.