Take the 4 packets (1 original and 3 copies) to the District Court on your island.
On Oahu, you must file all your forms at the Honolulu District Court.
On the other islands, check the following list on where to file your forms:
- Maui: Hoapili Hale. 2145 Main Street, Suite 137 Wailuku.
- Big Island:
- Hilo - 75 Aupuni Street, Hilo
- Kona - Old Kona Hospital. Keakealani Bldg., Rm. 240 Kealakekua
- Hamakua - South Kohala Courthouse. Waimea Civic Center. 67-5175 Kamamalu Street, Kamuela
- Kauai: 3059 Umi Street, Rm. 111 Lihue
The District Court is open for filing on Mondays to Fridays between 7:45 am to 4:00 pm. They are not open on holidays. Double check with your District Court on their hours.
When you go in to file your forms, a court clerk will date-stamp every set of forms. There is a filing fee so you will have to pay this fee OR fill out a fee waiver application (Ex Parte Application for Relief from Costs). You can find this form from the Hawaii State Judiciary Website or in person in your District Court.
Once you have either paid the filing fee or filled out the waiver form, you can turn in your packets. You will need to wait for the judge to approve your TRO. This could take a few hours so you may have to come back later in the day or even the next day to pick up the approved packets.
After the judge approves your forms, the court will keep the original packet and return the copies to you.
If the clerk says there is a problem with your papers, ask the clerk to explain what is wrong. Then, you can correct the problem then and there.