Hawaii Legal Overview: Kapaa

The Kapaa metropolitan area in the state of Hawaii is defined by the Census Bureau as covering all of Kauai County. Apart from the Island of Kauai, the county includes the islands of Niihau, Lehua, and Kaula. Kauai County is served by the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Hawaii only has four judicial districts for each of the main islands, but the 4th Circuit has been merged into the Third Judicial Circuit, which serves Big Island. Listed below are the main cities and towns in the Kapaa metro area.

To locate an attorney and find more legal information in your area, click on any of the following links:

Top Hawaii cities for Legal Issues:

Kapaa
Lihue
Puuwai
Poipu
Hanalei
Hanapepe
Princeville
Wailua

Hawaii/Kapaa Laws That are Trending

Current Law Topics People are Talking About in the Hawaii and Kapaa Area:

1. The Kauai Circuit Court based in Lihue is the main trial court with general and original jurisdiction. It handles all the felony prosecutions and civil matters above $25,000. Non-jury civil cases not less than $10,000 but not more than $25,000 are handled by the Kauai District Court, which also has limited jurisdiction over traffic and county ordinance violations. The district court also hears small claims not exceeding $5,000. The Family Court division in Lihue handles divorce petitions and juvenile cases.

2. An investigation of the small plane crash last year in Kauai has found the root cause was due to an accidental application of the choke which temporarily shut down the engine. This will likely help the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the widow of Vista, CA resident Ray Foreman who was killed in the crash along with the pilot Steve Sprague.

3. The Kauai County Council is debating whether to settle the assault and battery lawsuit filed against a Kauai police officer by Lebeau Lagmay. The plaintiff alleges that defendant thrice used a 50,000 volt stun gun on him even though Lagmay had his hands raised and was not resisting arrest.

Hawaii/Kapaa Courthouses and Courts Links

Other Legal Information for Kapaa

Trending Kapaa Legal Topics: Trial court appeals must be filed in Honolulu, with the Intermediate Court of Appeals. The Hawaii Supreme Court, also based in Honolulu, may agree to take on certain appeals. Bankruptcy petitions are to be filed with the federal bankruptcy court, which is the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii. Other federal cases may be filed with the U.S. District Court in Honolulu. Federal appeals for the state of Hawaii come under the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.