You MUST attend your Answer Date hearing. If you do not attend your hearing, the court will rule in favor of your landlord and enter a "default judgment." You could be evicted from your unit within 24-48 hours.
If you failed to attend your Answer Date hearing, call the Legal Aid Hotline (808-536-4302) immediately. Legal Aid also has a brochure on how to stop an eviction when you miss your court hearing. Click here to access the brochure. This brochure will inform you what you can do and the necessary forms to file if you do miss your court hearing.
If you filed your Counterclaim on or before your Answer Date, then you MUST attend the hearing AND enter a "general denial"
If you DID NOT file your Counterclaim on or before your Answer Date, then you MUST attend the hearing, enter a "general denial," AND ask the judge for a "leave of court to file a counterclaim.
Depending on the District in which your case is held, you will receive either one or two dates at the end of your Answer Date hearing. In Honolulu District Court, you will receive your pre-trial hearing date. Click next for more information. In other Districts, you will receive two dates - skip to Deadline to Exchange Exhibits.