National Eviction

How long does an eviction take in Hawaii?

For landlords and property managers · Updated September 2026

There is no fixed timetable for every step in Hawaii; the court's calendar sets the pace.

The Hawaii eviction timeline, step by step

Calendar days for a nonpayment case the tenant does not contest. Business and court days are converted to calendar days.

  1. 1Notice for unpaid rent

    10 days

    From serving the notice until you can file.

    10 calendar days after tenant receives notice

    From our guide: “not less than ten calendar days after the tenant receives the notice”

  2. 2Court case

    5 to 7 days

    From filing through service and the answer period or first hearing, to a judgment for possession.

    Return day 5 to 7 days after service

    From our guide: “no less than five days after the date of service when service is made in the circuit where the case was filed” and “not less than seven days when service is made in another circuit”

  3. 3Judgment to possession

    Varies

    Any waiting period before the writ issues, plus the officer's notice before the lockout.

    Varies; set by the court

What can slow it down

  • If the tenant schedules mediation within the ten-day notice period, the landlord cannot file until 20 calendar days after the tenant's receipt of the notice; chapter 666 states no fixed number of days between judgment, the writ, and the officer's removal, so possession timing depends on the court's order and the officer's schedule.
  • A defective notice is the most common reason a case is dismissed and has to start over. Check the form and the delivery method in the full guide before you serve it.
  • A tenant who files an answer, raises a defense or appeals adds hearings and waiting periods. Busy urban dockets can add weeks at every stage.
  • Never change the locks or shut off utilities yourself. Self-help eviction is illegal in every state and can cost more than the unpaid rent.

Read the full Hawaii eviction guide, with the statute or rule behind each step.

Hawaii scores 9 of 10 on our landlord-friendly states map (landlord-leaning).

Compare eviction timelines in every state.

This timeline is general information for landlords, not legal advice. Deadlines change and courts vary by county. Confirm current rules with a licensed Hawaii attorney before acting.