Maui County, Hawaii: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is Second Circuit District Court - Small Claims Division in Wailuku. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: $35. Claim limit varies by court. Hawaii return time: 14 calendar days. ACS two-bedroom rent: $1,906. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | Second Circuit District Court - Small Claims Division |
|---|---|
| City | Wailuku |
| Address | 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793 |
| Phone | 808-244-2706 |
| Statewide filing fee | $35. |
| E-filing | Yes, see filing page |
| Small claims limit | $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) |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Time limit to sue | 1 years |
| Deposit statute | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 |
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.
Details
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).
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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.
Court listed for this county: Second Circuit District Court - Small Claims Division. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.
Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.
Who do you name in the claim?
Find and compare the legal names
Find and compare the legal names in these records:
- The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
- The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
- The owner of record in the property records of Maui County.
- The Hawaii business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Hawaii DCCA Business Registration Division
A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.
What to bring to the clerk
- Your lease.
- Deposit receipt or payment record.
- The demand letter and proof of delivery.
- Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.
Is it worth filing here?
Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Maui County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.
| Bedrooms | Deposit owed | Statutory amount | Total illustration | Limit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,287 | $2,574 | $3,861 | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
| 2 | $1,906 | $3,812 | $5,718 | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
| 3 | $2,300 | $4,600 | $6,900 | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
| 4 | $2,962 | $5,924 | $8,886 | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
At 1 bedrooms, the statewide filing fee of $35 is about 3% of the illustrated deposit. Filing costs for other claim sizes may differ.
At 2 bedrooms, the statewide filing fee of $35 is about 2% of the illustrated deposit. Filing costs for other claim sizes may differ.
At 3 bedrooms, the statewide filing fee of $35 is about 2% of the illustrated deposit. Filing costs for other claim sizes may differ.
At 4 bedrooms, the statewide filing fee of $35 is about 1% of the illustrated deposit. Filing costs for other claim sizes may differ.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.
How does Maui County compare with other Hawaii counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,906: rank 2 of 4 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 35% of households rent in Maui County.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Honolulu County | $2,071 |
| Maui County | $1,906 |
| Kauai County | $1,805 |
| Hawaii County | $1,453 |
Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 4 of 5 listed counties. Census source.
Free legal 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
- 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
- Hawaiian Council: HUD-certified housing counseling statewide, including tenant rights and responsibilities, rental-subsidy counseling, and help advocating with landlords
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Maui County?
Statewide filing fee: $35..
Where do I file a deposit claim in Maui County?
Second Circuit District Court - Small Claims Division is listed. 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
Who should I name in the claim?
Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
What should I bring to the clerk?
Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.