Small claims court is a less formal court process which handles claims for $5,000.00 or less. Lawyers can represent people in every kind of case except security deposit disagreements between residential landlord and tenant. However, be aware that while the law says you are not allowed to be represented by an attorney for a security deposit claim, many judges do not remember this law or enforce it. It is a good idea to take with you a copy of the law to show the judge just in case the other side brings an attorney.
The District Court has concurent jurisdiction (i.e. has the power to hear the case also) over disputes involving security deposits in situations where the landlord filed a Summary Possession action against the tenant in the District Court. A Summary of Possession means that your landlord wants to evict you.
What this means for you as a tenant is that the District Court will hear the dispute about the security deposit part of the damages portion of the eviction, rather than at the Small Claims Court. If you file a complaint in the Small Claims division for return of your security deposit while you are being evicted, your claim will be "joined" with the Summary Possession.
If you've moved out and your landlord did not file a Summary Possession in District Court, but there is only a dispute over your security deposit, then you can file a claim in Small Claims Court.
For more information on Small Claims Court, visit http://www.courts.state.hi.us/self-help/small_claims/small_claims.html. You can also call or visit the District Court in your island.