How long does an eviction take in Hawaii?
For unpaid rent, expect about 4 weeks from the first notice to the lockout in Hawaii, and anywhere from 2.5 to 10 weeks if the tenant fights it or the court is busy.
Hawaii eviction timeline, step by step
- Notice to pay or leave 10 daysofficial source
10-day notice; if the tenant schedules mediation within 10 days, the landlord must wait 20 days from notice to file (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-68) source - File the case and get a judgment about 7-30 days (typical 14)official source
Return date on the summons, generally at least 5 days after service on the same island source - Judgment to lockout 1-8 days (upper end is our model default)official source
The writ of possession can issue and be executed right after judgment; the usual 10-day stay does not apply (DCRCP 62(a)). Paying rent, interest, costs and fees before it issues gets a stay (HRS § 666-14, kept by DCRCP 62(i)). We found no official day count for the sheriff's execution source - If the tenant appeals 30-day windowofficial source
30 days to appeal (HRAP 4); a supersedeas bond is needed to stay the writ source
Timeline model: notice + filing-to-judgment window + judgment-to-lockout window; the high case adds 21 days for a contested hearing. Methodology.
Can the tenant pay and stay?
Can pay in full during the notice period. official source source
Eviction costs in Hawaii
| Cost | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $55-$175 | Not verified for Hawaii; the calculator uses the national default range. unverified |
| Serving the tenant | $30-$77 | Not verified for Hawaii; the calculator uses the national default range. unverified |
| Sheriff/marshal lockout | $75-$180 | Not verified for Hawaii; the calculator uses the national default range. unverified |
| Lawyer, uncontested | $500-$1,500 | National rough estimate, not state-specific estimate |
| Lawyer, contested | $2,000-$5,000+ | National rough estimate estimate |
| Median gross rent | $1,942/mo | Census ACS 2024 1-year (±$36) data file |
Tenant protections
| Statewide rent control | No | None statewide found in the sources we checked |
| Statewide just-cause rules | No | None statewide found in the sources we checked |
| Right to counsel for tenants | No | None statewide found in the sources we checked |
| Seasonal or weather limits | No | None statewide found in the sources we checked |
| Required mediation / pre-filing program | Yes | Nonpayment notice must offer mediation; filing waits if mediation is scheduled official source source |
Eviction cost calculator for Hawaii
| What | Typical | Low to high |
|---|
Full timeline and sources · Total = rent × (months behind + months to evict + months to re-rent) + court fees + lawyer + turnover. How we calculate.
Tenant screening
Reserved for a tenant-screening partner (credit, eviction and background checks). No partner yet; nothing here is a recommendation.
Rent-guarantee insurance
Reserved for a rent-guarantee or landlord insurance partner that covers unpaid rent and eviction costs. No partner yet.
Landlord-friendliness score: 82/100
Timeline 41.7/50 · right to cure 14/20 · statewide protections 26/30. How the score works.
Hawaii eviction FAQ
How long does an eviction take in Hawaii?
A nonpayment eviction in Hawaii typically takes about 4 weeks from notice to lockout, with a range of roughly 2.5 to 10 weeks. Contested cases, court backlogs and appeals can take longer. This is an EvictionMath estimate built from the state's notice period and court deadlines, last checked 2026-10-17.
How much notice does a landlord have to give for unpaid rent in Hawaii?
10-day notice; if the tenant schedules mediation within 10 days, the landlord must wait 20 days from notice to file (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-68).
Can a tenant stop an eviction in Hawaii by paying the rent?
Can pay in full during the notice period.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Hawaii?
We have not verified Hawaii's eviction filing fee yet. Fees are set by court and county, so check with the local clerk. Lawyer fees commonly run about $500-$1,500 for an uncontested case (a national estimate).
Is Hawaii landlord-friendly for evictions?
Hawaii scores 82 out of 100 on the EvictionMath landlord-friendliness score (timeline 41.7/50, right to cure 14/20, statewide tenant protections 26/30). The formula is on our methodology page.
Sources and last-checked dates
| Field | Source type | Link | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notice period | official source | www.capitol.hawaii.gov | 2026-10-17 |
| Court deadlines | official source | www.capitol.hawaii.gov | 2026-10-17 |
| Judgment to lockout | official source | www.courts.state.hi.us | 2026-10-17 |
| Appeal | official source | www.courts.state.hi.us | 2026-10-17 |
| Filing fee | unverified | none yet | 2026-10-17 |
| Service fee | unverified | none yet | 2026-10-17 |
| Lockout fee | unverified | none yet | 2026-10-17 |
| Mediation | official source | www.capitol.hawaii.gov | 2026-10-17 |
| Median rent | official source | census.gov (ACS B25064) | 2026-10-17 |
Not yet verified for Hawaii: filing fee, service fee, lockout fee, post judgment max. Fields we couldn't source are left blank, never guessed. Found an error? Laws change; tell us via the newsletter reply.
Compare similar states
North Carolina (82, 5 wk) · Nebraska (83, 3.5 wk) · Alaska (84, 4.5 wk) · Connecticut (80, 5.5 wk) · Florida (84, 4.5 wk)