Hawaii · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Hawaii: get back what you're owed

Nine free guides for Hawaii, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Hawaii

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$5,000
Court
Small Claims Division
Filing fee
$35
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Hawaii

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
14 days
Security deposit limit
1 month's rent (with exceptions)
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
10 days
Notice before the landlord enters
2 days

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Hawaii

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Minimum wage (2026)
$16.00
Final paycheck if fired
Immediately
Deadline to file a wage claim
See the guide

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Hawaii

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
24 mo / 24,000 mi
What makes it a lemon
3 repairs · 1 if unsafe · 30 business days
Covers used cars
No
Before you sue
Optional

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Hawaii

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
Jan 15 (Oahu); Dec 31 / Apr 9 others
Where you appeal first
County Board of Review
Median effective tax rate
0.27%
Median yearly tax on a home
$2,239

Opens soonNo Hawaii county is taking appeals right now. Kauai's window runs December 1-31, 2026; Honolulu mails notices by December 15, 2026 and appeals are due January 15, 2027; Maui and Hawaii County mail notices in early spring 2027 (Maui by March 15), with appeals usually due April 9. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Hawaii

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
$120,000 (Honolulu)
Homestead deadline
See the guide
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
See the rules

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Hawaii

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
State of Hawaii Unclaimed Property Program
Held by the state
See the guide
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
No

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Hawaii

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
No minimum time
Waiting period
No set waiting period
Filing fee
Check with your court

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Debt Collector Map

Debt collectors in Hawaii

A collector can sue you only for a limited time, and state law limits how much of your pay it can take after a judgment. You can dispute the debt in writing.

Time limit to sue on a debt
6 years
Wage garnishment limit
5–20%
State license for collectors
Yes

Facts from Debt Collector Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Hawaii

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Hawaii
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage2 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit14 daysTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent10 daysTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claimSee the guideWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedImmediatelyWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period24 mo / 24,000 miLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineAny action under the Lemon Law must be started within 1 year after the Lemon Law rights period ends (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 481I-3(j)); the state program applies the same 1-year deadline to arbitration filings.Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appealJan 15 (Oahu); Dec 31 / Apr 9 othersTax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineSee the guideExemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can fileNo minimum timeDivorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting periodNo set waiting periodDivorce Law Map
Debt collectorsTime limit to sue on a debt6 yearsDebt Collector Map

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Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.

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