Hawaii (HI) eviction guide
Quick answer
To evict a tenant in Hawaii, serve the correct written notice (as short as 5 days for unpaid rent), then file a summary possession lawsuit in District Court if the tenant does not comply. The full process from notice to lockout typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. Note: as of February 5, 2026, nonpayment evictions require a pre-filing mediation window if the tenant requests it within 10 days of receiving notice.
| Legal grounds | Nonpayment of rent, lease violation, holdover, illegal activity, no-cause (month-to-month) |
|---|---|
| Minimum notice | 5 days (nonpayment of rent) |
| Where to file | District Court (circuit where the property sits) |
| Filing fee | About $150 to $165 |
| Typical timeframe | 4 to 8 weeks |
Required for nonpayment of rent; tenant must pay in full or vacate within 5 days (HRS 521-68).
Required for a fixable lease violation; tenant has 10 days to correct the problem or leave (HRS 521-69).
Used for serious or repeated violations, illegal activity, or substantial property damage where no cure is allowed.
Required to end a month-to-month tenancy without a specific lease violation; tenant must vacate by day 45.
| Step | Timeframe | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Serve the Written Notice | Day 1 | Deliver the correct notice type in writing; personal delivery or posting plus mailing both satisfy HRS requirements. |
| 2. Wait for the Notice Period to Expire | 5 to 45 days | The tenant has the full notice period to pay, cure, or vacate before you can file in court. |
| 3. File a Summary Possession Complaint | 1 to 3 days | File at the District Court serving the property's circuit and pay the filing fee of about $150 to $165. |
| 4. Serve the Tenant with Court Summons | Within a few days of filing | The court issues a summons; a process server or the sheriff delivers it to the tenant along with your complaint. |
| 5. Attend the District Court Hearing | Typically 1 to 3 weeks after filing | Both parties present their case; if you win, the judge issues a judgment for possession and signs the writ of possession. |
| 6. Execute the Writ of Possession | 3 to 7 days after writ issues | The sheriff or constable posts the writ and returns to remove the tenant if they have not vacated, completing the lockout. |
Filing a summary possession case in Hawaii District Court costs approximately $150 to $165 in court fees, plus service costs of roughly $50 to $75 for a process server or sheriff. Attorney fees (if you hire one) can add $500 to $2,000 or more depending on whether the tenant contests the case.
After the court rules in the landlord's favor, the clerk issues a writ of possession; the sheriff or constable posts the writ and schedules a lockout, typically within 3 to 7 days. The officer physically removes any remaining tenant and their belongings. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities without a writ) is illegal in Hawaii and exposes the landlord to damages.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 521, Residential Landlord-Tenant Code. Self-help eviction is illegal everywhere; always follow the court process.
Hawaii eviction FAQ
Most uncontested evictions in Hawaii take **4 to 6 weeks** from notice to lockout; contested cases or those involving the 2026 mediation requirement can stretch to **8 weeks or more**. The notice period alone runs 5 to 45 days before you can even file.
Expect to spend at least **$200 to $250** in court filing and service fees for a straightforward case. If you hire an attorney or the tenant fights the eviction, total costs can reach **$1,500 to $3,000** or higher.
No. Hawaii law requires a court judgment before any lockout. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, or cutting utilities to force a tenant out) is illegal under HRS 521-63 and can result in the tenant suing you for damages.
Under Act 278, which took effect **February 5, 2026**, tenants facing eviction for nonpayment of rent can request mediation within **10 days** of receiving the eviction notice. If requested, the landlord must participate before filing suit. The pilot program runs through February 4, 2028.
A landlord can end a month-to-month tenancy without cause by giving **45 days' written notice**. Fixed-term lease tenants generally cannot be evicted without cause before the lease expires unless a specific legal ground exists under HRS Chapter 521.
Revun screens tenants, automates rent reminders, and logs every notice, so fewer tenancies ever reach court.
