How to Get an Order for Protection in Hawaii
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Hawaii · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Hawaii, an Order for Protection is a family court order that directs an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you, and it follows a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that the court can grant right away. These orders are issued under Hawaii's Domestic Abuse Protective Orders law (Haw. Rev. Stat. chapter 586). You seek one when a family or household member, such as a spouse, partner, or relative, has abused or threatened you. You start by filing a petition for an order for protection with the family court in the circuit where you live, and there is no filing fee (Haw. Rev. Stat. 607-2.5). A judge can grant an ex parte Temporary Restraining Order the same day, without the other person present, to restrain contact and abuse (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-4). That TRO stays in effect for a period the court sets, up to 180 days, until a hearing that must be held no later than 15 days after the order is granted (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5). At the hearing the judge decides whether to issue an Order for Protection, which lasts for a further fixed reasonable period the court deems appropriate and can be extended (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5.5). If you are in immediate danger, call 911; the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in Hawaii
Where are you in getting a restraining order?
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How do I get an Order for Protection in Hawaii?
File a petition for an order for protection with the family court in the circuit where you live. There is no filing fee (Haw. Rev. Stat. 607-2.5). A judge can grant a Temporary Restraining Order the same day, and a hearing is set no later than 15 days after.
How long does it take to get a restraining order in Hawaii?
A judge can issue an ex parte Temporary Restraining Order the same day you file, without the other person present, if your petition shows abuse (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-4). The court then holds a hearing no later than 15 days after the TRO is granted (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5).
How long does an Order for Protection last in Hawaii?
A Temporary Restraining Order stays in effect for a period the court sets, up to 180 days, until your hearing (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5). After the hearing, an Order for Protection lasts for a further fixed reasonable period the court deems appropriate and can be extended (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5.5).
Which court handles restraining orders in Hawaii?
You file in the family court in the circuit where you live, when the person is a family or household member such as a spouse, partner, or relative (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-3). The Hawaii State Judiciary self-help pages provide the petition and step-by-step guidance for filing.
Hawaii restraining order law at a glance
In Hawaii, an Order for Protection stops abuse by a family or household member, and it follows a Temporary Restraining Order the court can grant right away, both under the Domestic Abuse Protective Orders law (Haw. Rev. Stat. chapter 586). You ask for one by filing a petition with the family court in the circuit where you live, and there is no filing fee (Haw. Rev. Stat. 607-2.5). A judge can grant an ex parte Temporary Restraining Order the same day, without notice to the other person, to restrain contact and abuse (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-4). That order lasts up to 180 days, until a hearing held no later than 15 days after it is granted (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5). An Order for Protection then lasts a further fixed reasonable period the court sets and can be extended (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5.5).
Getting a Hawaii Order for Protection after threats from an ex-partner
A relative you shared a house with in Hawaii has been threatening you by phone and turning up unannounced. You file a petition for an order for protection with the family court in the circuit where you live, at no cost (Haw. Rev. Stat. 607-2.5). The same day, a judge reviews your petition and signs an ex parte Temporary Restraining Order because it shows abuse (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-4), setting a hearing within 15 days. A police officer serves your ex with the papers. At the hearing you bring screenshots and testify. The judge issues an Order for Protection for a fixed period the court deems appropriate, which can be extended (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5.5). You keep a copy with you. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-4 (ex parte temporary restraining order)
Authorizes a court to grant an ex parte temporary restraining order, without notice, to restrain either or both parties from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing each other, on a petition by a family or household member.
Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5 (period of order; hearing)
Provides that a temporary restraining order remains in effect at the discretion of the court for a period not to exceed 180 days from the date granted, or until a protective order takes effect, and that the court shall hold a hearing no later than fifteen days from the date the order is granted.
Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5.5 (protective order; duration and extension)
Provides that after a hearing the court may order a protective order issued for a further fixed reasonable period as the court deems appropriate, and that a protective order may be extended for a further fixed reasonable period as the court deems appropriate.
Haw. Rev. Stat. 607-2.5 (no filing fee for a protection order)
Provides that persons subject to domestic abuse, abuse of family or household members, stalking, or sexual assault are exempt from paying the costs and fees for filing, issuance, registration, or service of a protection order or a petition for a protection order.
Regional Variances
Hawaii restraining order rules at a glance
Order name
Order for Protection, issued after a hearing under the Domestic Abuse Protective Orders law (Haw. Rev. Stat. chapter 586), and preceded by a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) the court can grant right away. Cases between family or household members are heard in family court.
Where to file
The family court, in the circuit where you live (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-3). There is no filing fee for a domestic abuse protective order (Haw. Rev. Stat. 607-2.5). If the person is not related to you, a district court TRO may apply instead.
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can grant an ex parte Temporary Restraining Order the same day you file, without the other person present, to restrain contact and abuse (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-4). The TRO lasts up to 180 days, until a hearing held no later than 15 days after it is granted (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5).
Final order duration
After a hearing, an Order for Protection lasts for a further fixed reasonable period the court deems appropriate, and it can be extended for another fixed reasonable period the court sets (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5.5).
Main form
A petition for an order for protection, filed with the family court. The Hawaii State Judiciary provides the petition and instructions, and the family court designates staff to help you complete it. The exact form number varies by circuit.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the petition for an Order for Protection
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out the family court petition for an order for protection, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. The family court designates staff to help you complete it (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-3). Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your petition with the family court
Same day you finish the petition days after startingFile the petition with the family court in the circuit where you live. There is no filing fee for a domestic abuse protective order (Haw. Rev. Stat. 607-2.5). Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on your Temporary Restraining Order.
Get and carry the Temporary Restraining Order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge grants an ex parte Temporary Restraining Order (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-4), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It stays in effect up to 180 days, until your hearing (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5). Note your hearing date.
Arrange service on the other person
Before the hearing days after startingHave the other person served with your filed papers and the notice of hearing. Law enforcement can serve the papers. Service is required so the court can hold the hearing and issue a longer Order for Protection (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5).
Attend the court hearing with your evidence
No later than 15 days after the TRO is granted days after startingGo to the family court hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5). The judge decides whether to issue an Order for Protection. If you miss the hearing, your Temporary Restraining Order can expire.
Track the duration and extend if needed
Before the Order for Protection expires days after startingAn Order for Protection lasts a further fixed reasonable period the court sets (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5.5). Calendar the expiration date and ask the family court to extend it before it ends. An extension is for another fixed reasonable period the court deems appropriate.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the petition for an Order for Protection | Fill out the family court petition for an order for protection, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. The family court designates staff to help you complete it (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-3). Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your petition with the family court | File the petition with the family court in the circuit where you live. There is no filing fee for a domestic abuse protective order (Haw. Rev. Stat. 607-2.5). Ask the clerk when the judge will decide on your Temporary Restraining Order. | - | Same day you finish the petition |
| Get and carry the Temporary Restraining Order | If the judge grants an ex parte Temporary Restraining Order (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-4), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It stays in effect up to 180 days, until your hearing (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5). Note your hearing date. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the other person | Have the other person served with your filed papers and the notice of hearing. Law enforcement can serve the papers. Service is required so the court can hold the hearing and issue a longer Order for Protection (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5). | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the court hearing with your evidence | Go to the family court hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5). The judge decides whether to issue an Order for Protection. If you miss the hearing, your Temporary Restraining Order can expire. | - | No later than 15 days after the TRO is granted |
| Track the duration and extend if needed | An Order for Protection lasts a further fixed reasonable period the court sets (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5.5). Calendar the expiration date and ask the family court to extend it before it ends. An extension is for another fixed reasonable period the court deems appropriate. | - | Before the Order for Protection expires |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There is no filing fee for a domestic abuse protective order in Hawaii. Under Haw. Rev. Stat. 607-2.5, persons subject to domestic abuse are exempt from paying costs and fees for filing, issuance, registration, or service of a protection order or a petition for one. You are not charged for service.
You can file if the person who abused or threatened you is a family or household member, such as a spouse or former spouse, a current or former dating partner, someone you live or lived with, or a relative (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-3). A family member can also file on behalf of a minor.
A Temporary Restraining Order is the emergency, short-term order a judge can grant the same day without the other person present (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-4). An Order for Protection is the longer order the judge issues after a hearing where both sides can appear (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5.5).
At the hearing, held no later than 15 days after the TRO is granted, both you and the other person can attend, present evidence, and testify (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5). The judge decides whether to issue an Order for Protection and what terms to include, such as no contact and stay-away orders.
Yes. An Order for Protection lasts for a further fixed reasonable period the court deems appropriate, and it can be extended for another fixed reasonable period the court sets (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-5.5). Ask the family court to extend it before it expires. The court can end an extended order by mutual consent.
You file a petition for an order for protection with the family court. The Hawaii State Judiciary provides the petition and instructions, and the family court designates staff to help you complete it (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-3). The exact form number varies by circuit, so use the current form for your court.
Violating a Temporary Restraining Order or Order for Protection is a crime in Hawaii. Call the police, who can arrest the person, and the court can also enforce the order. Keep a copy with you at all times and report every violation so law enforcement can act on it quickly.
No. Hawaii family courts are set up for people to request protective orders on their own. The family court designates staff to help you complete the petition (Haw. Rev. Stat. 586-3), and the Hawaii State Judiciary offers self-help resources. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested or the other person has a lawyer.
Other Hawaii guides
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