Haw. Rev. Stat. § 666 § 666-6
Summary possession proceedings; venue.
Operative Text
In the case of summary possession proceedings, the person entitled to the possession of the premises shall bring and prosecute the person's action in the district court of the circuit wherein the lands and premises in question are situated. [CC 1859, §940; am L 1905, c 95, §1; RL 1925, §2779; RL 1935, §4014; RL 1945, §10405; RL 1955, §240-6; HRS §666-6; am L 1972, c 90, §8(c); gen ch 1985]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 666-6 establishes where summary possession (eviction) proceedings must be filed and heard. Under this rule, the party seeking to reclaim possession of a property is required to bring that legal action in the district court of the circuit where the property is physically located. This is a venue requirement, meaning the geographic placement of the case is fixed by the location of the land or premises at issue, not by the preference of either party.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 666-6, a property owner or manager initiating a summary possession action must file in the district court of the circuit where the rental property is situated. Compliant operators confirm the correct circuit court jurisdiction before preparing and filing eviction paperwork, since filing in the wrong venue could affect the proceeding. Keeping accurate records of the property's address and corresponding circuit court district is a standard part of managing a Hawaii rental portfolio.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 666-6 means that any summary possession case brought against a tenant must be filed in the district court of the circuit where the rental property is located. If a tenant receives notice of a proceeding filed in a different venue, that misplacement may be a procedural issue worth raising in the case. Tenants facing eviction proceedings in Hawaii can consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how venue rules under § 666-6 may apply to their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 23, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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