1. Visit the official website of the Hawaii State Judiciary. 2. Locate the link for **eCourt Kokua** (often listed under the "Self-Help" or "Legal Research" sections). 3. Read the terms of use and the system disclaimer. You must accept these terms to proceed to the search screen. For general public searches, you do not need to register for an account or log in. You can begin searching for cases immediately after accepting the disclaimer. ## How to Log In to the eKokua System If you are an attorney, a frequent user, or a subscriber who needs to purchase document copies, you will need to log in to your account.
1. Navigate to the eCourt Kokua homepage. 2. Click on the login link, usually located in the upper right corner of the screen. 3. Enter your registered username and password. 4. Click the submit button to access your account dashboard. If you are an attorney looking to file court documents electronically, note that the judiciary uses a separate system called the Judiciary Electronic Filing System (JEFS). You will need to log in through the JEFS portal rather than the standard eCourt Kokua search page to submit filings. ## Searching for Records in eCourt Kokua Once you have accessed the portal, you can search for case information using several criteria. The system allows you to search by:
* **Party Name:** Enter the first and last name of an individual, or the name of a business or organization. * **Case Number:** Enter the specific case ID for direct access to the record. * **Filing Date:** Narrow your search results by entering a specific date range. If your search does not return any results, double-check the spelling of the names or the format of the case number. ## Important Limitations of the System While the eCourt Kokua system is a valuable resource, it does have limitations:
* **Case Availability:** The database primarily covers traffic, civil, and district court criminal cases. Family court cases, juvenile records, and certain confidential legal matters are generally not available online. * **Historical Records:** The availability of older or archived court records is not guaranteed. Some historical cases may only be available in physical formats at the respective courthouse. * **Official Verification:** Online records are for informational purposes. If you need certified copies for official or legal use, you must request them directly from the clerk of the court. ## What to Do If You Cannot Log In If you experience technical issues or cannot log in to your account, verify that your login credentials are correct. The Hawaii State Judiciary occasionally performs scheduled system maintenance, which may temporarily take the portal offline. If the system is active but you still cannot access your account, contact the Hawaii State Judiciary's IT help desk or the court clerk's office for technical assistance.
