Reviewed August 2026
Protective Orders in Hawaii
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline number is 1-800-799-7233. Hawaii's civil protection order for family or household abuse is called a Domestic Abuse Protective Order. Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 586 authorizes it. Anyone physically abused or threatened by a family or household member can petition family court. Filing costs nothing. Hawaii family courts can grant a temporary restraining order the same day if the danger is immediate. A protective order issued after a hearing can require no contact, order the respondent out of a shared home, and set temporary custody terms for shared children.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how protective orders works under Hawaii law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Hawaii paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Who qualifies for a protective order
Hawaii's domestic abuse law covers family or household members. That includes current and former spouses or reciprocal beneficiaries, and people related by blood or marriage. It also covers people who live together or used to live together. People with a child in common or a current or former dating relationship qualify too. This family or household connection sets a Chapter 586 petition apart from Hawaii's civil harassment restraining order process. That separate process covers people without that kind of relationship.
Temporary orders and the full hearing
A petitioner who shows immediate danger can get an ex parte temporary restraining order the same day. The respondent does not need to be present. That order takes effect once served and lasts until the full hearing. Hawaii law generally schedules that hearing within about two to three weeks so both sides can be heard. If the judge finds grounds for protection, the order can become a longer-term protective order. In Hawaii this can last for a fixed period the court sets, typically up to a few years, and it can be renewed.
Hearing scheduling can vary by circuit. Confirm the exact hearing date and any paperwork requirements with the family court clerk in that circuit.
Filing is free, and where to file
Hawaii charges no filing fee for a Domestic Abuse Protective Order petition. File the petition in the family court of the circuit where you live. Hawaii's judiciary operates family courts on Oahu and in the Second, Third, and Fifth Circuits. Each accepts petitions for its own area.
Firearms provisions
Once a court issues a protective order, Hawaii law requires the respondent to surrender firearms, ammunition, and any firearm permits. Federal law separately bars firearm possession for anyone subject to certain qualifying domestic violence protective orders. Violating a Hawaii protective order, including the firearms surrender requirement, is a criminal offense.
Protective orders and divorce or custody cases
A Domestic Abuse Protective Order in Hawaii is a separate case from a divorce or custody case. A petitioner does not need either open to request one. The protective order can still set temporary custody and visitation terms for shared children while it is active. Because Hawaii's family courts also handle divorce and custody, a protective order and a related custody case are often coordinated at the same courthouse.
Sources: Hawaii State Judiciary, Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Not independently confirmed
- The Hawaii Legislature's statute site was not directly reachable to re-confirm the exact current text of HRS Chapter 586; the statute number is stated from established public record but should be checked against the Hawaii Revised Statutes directly.
- Exact maximum duration for a longer-term Hawaii protective order can depend on the circuit court's findings; confirm with the filing family court.
- HSCADV does not run a single statewide crisis line itself; it lists island-specific programs, so this page uses the National Domestic Violence Hotline number only.
Protective Orders in Hawaii: frequently asked questions
What is a Domestic Abuse Protective Order in Hawaii?+
It is Hawaii's civil protective order for family or household abuse, authorized under HRS Chapter 586. It applies to spouses, family and household members, co-parents, and current or former dating partners, and it can require no contact and firearms surrender while it is active.
Where do I file for a protective order in Hawaii?+
In the family court of the circuit where you live. Hawaii's judiciary operates family courts covering Oahu and the Second, Third, and Fifth Circuits, and each accepts protective order petitions for its area.
Does it cost money to file in Hawaii?+
No. Hawaii family courts charge no filing fee for a Domestic Abuse Protective Order petition.
How fast can I get protection in Hawaii?+
A judge can grant a temporary restraining order the same day if you show immediate danger, without notifying the other person first. Hawaii courts generally set a full hearing within a few weeks for both sides to be heard.
How long does a protective order last in Hawaii?+
A protective order issued after a hearing lasts for the period the judge sets. That can run up to several years, depending on the circumstances. It can be renewed if the petitioner still needs protection when it is set to expire.
Can a protective order affect custody in Hawaii?+
Yes. It can include temporary custody and visitation terms for children the parties share, even without a separate custody case open. Because the same family court often handles both matters, a protective order and a custody case are typically coordinated together.
This page is general information about protective orders in Hawaii, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Hawaii's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Hawaii. Virdix does not prepare or file Hawaii divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Hawaii.
More Hawaii divorce guides
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In the states Virdix serves, it guides you through that state's own court forms so your paperwork is complete and consistent before you file. If you're filing in Hawaii, the resources above are the right place to start, and the form above will tell you the moment Virdix reaches your state.
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