Don't Let Your Hawaii Exhibits Get Rejected
Get the complete Hawaii exhibit requirements checklist. Know exactly what RCCH Rule 18 (Rules of the Circuit Courts of the State of Hawai'i — Pre-Trial Disclosure and Marking of Exhibits) requires before your filing deadline.
- Hawaii exhibits must be marked for identification at least one day before trial under RCCH Rule 18(a)(4); the exhibit list is filed with the pre-trial statement no later than 7 days before a final pre-trial conference, or 14 days before trial if none is set (RCCH Rule 12.1).
- Exhibit practice in Hawaii centers on the Hawaii Circuit Courts.
- Hawaii's e-filing file-size limit is commonly cited as 10 MB per document (and 10 MB per exhibit), but limits change — confirm the current limit with the court or clerk before filing.
- First Circuit (Oahu): Honolulu, handles the largest share of Hawaii state caseload.
- Second Circuit (Maui): Covers Maui, Molokai, and Lanai islands.
- Hawaii's exhibit procedure is governed by RCCH Rule 18 (Pre-Trial Disclosure and Marking of Exhibits), with RCCH Rule 12.1 governing the pre-trial statement exhibit list.
- A Hawaii exhibit-filing mistake to avoid: missing the RCCH Rule 12.1 pre-trial statement deadline for the exhibit list.
Free Hawaii Exhibit Guide
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Use the guide as a preparation checklist
- Check the instructions for your assigned court.
- Confirm labels, deadlines, and delivery method.
- Review the finished files before submitting.
Quick Reference
Source citations apply to the statement beside them, not the whole page. Check current court instructions and your case orders before filing.
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Try It FreeExhibitPrep formats documents; it does not provide legal advice or filing approval. Some guidance remains unverified. Citations support only their stated claims and scope. Review the finished files against current court instructions and case orders before filing.
Two Ways to Prepare Hawaii Exhibits
Manual Stamping
- •Place each label individually
- •Keep a separate exhibit list
- •Check numbering across files
- •Review instructions and finished files
With ExhibitPrep
- •Apply chosen labels across a batch
- •Create a contents page and bookmarks
- •Review stamps before saving
- •Revise and compare saved copies
About Hawaii Exhibit Requirements
Exhibit disclosure and marking in Hawaii's circuit courts are governed by RCCH Rule 18 when a pretrial is held. Under RCCH Rule 18, exhibits must be marked for identification at least one day before trial, so bring numbered exhibits ready to present. In FY 2023-24 the First Circuit (Oahu) held 24,051 of the state's 30,801 circuit civil cases.
Before you file
ExhibitPrep formats documents. It does not provide legal advice, submit filings, or determine whether evidence is admissible or a filing meets court requirements.
Some guidance has not been verified against current official sources. A citation supports only its stated claim and scope. Compare the finished PDF with current court instructions and orders in your case. Follow the filing review checklist.
What's in the Guide
- RCCH Rule 12.1 pre-trial statement requires a list of all trial exhibits except impeachment or rebuttal
- JEFS e-filing is mandatory for attorneys in civil cases
- First Circuit (Oahu) handles the largest share of statewide court caseload
- JEFS user guides are published for the First, Second, Third and Fifth Circuits
- Exhibits must be marked for identification at least one day before trial and listed in any pretrial order; confirm the label format with the judge
- 10 MB per document, split larger exhibits
- Exhibits marked for identification at least one day before trial (RCCH Rule 18(a)(4))
- Hawaiian is an official language of Hawaii; confirm court handling of Hawaiian-language exhibits
County-Specific Rules Covered
First Circuit (Oahu)
- • Honolulu: handles the largest share of Hawaii state caseload
- • Complex commercial litigation and tourism industry disputes
Second Circuit (Maui)
- • Second Circuit courts on Maui, Molokai and Lanai Source (opens in a new tab)
- • Tourism and hospitality industry litigation
Third Circuit (Hawaii Island)
- • Big Island (Third Circuit) — courthouses in Hilo, Kailua-Kona and Waimea Source (opens in a new tab)
- • Agriculture, ranching, and geothermal energy disputes
Pro Tips Included
- •Register for JEFS early, well before a filing deadline
- •Allow extra time for inter-island logistics when coordinating witnesses
- •Confirm the First Circuit (Oahu) current deadlines and procedures with the court before filing
- •Confirm with the court whether Hawaiian-language exhibits need English translations
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1.Underestimating inter-island logistics for physical evidence
- 2.Missing circuit-specific rules or judge orders that supplement the HRCP
- 3.Not registering for JEFS before filing deadline approaches
- 4.Filing a PDF larger than the 10 MB JEFS limit instead of splitting it into smaller files
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Hawaii Exhibit FAQs
How do I e-file exhibits in Hawaii courts?
Hawaii uses JEFS (Judiciary Electronic Filing and Service System) for all four circuits. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys. Attorneys must register as JEFS Users through the Judiciary's website before filing electronically. Exhibits must be in PDF format with a 10 MB per-document limit. JEFS is a unified system serving all Hawaiian islands through a single portal.
What are Hawaii's exhibit exchange deadlines?
Hawaii sets two exhibit timing points rather than a single exchange date: the exhibit list in the pretrial statement, and marking before trial. Under RCCH Rule 12.1, the pre-trial statement — which must include the exhibit list — is filed no later than 7 days before any final pre-trial conference, or 14 days before trial if no conference is set. Under RCCH Rule 18(a)(4), exhibits must be marked for identification at least one day before trial and listed in any pre-trial order. The court may set different dates by order, so check your scheduling order. Consider stipulating to the authenticity of exhibits to streamline trial proceedings.
What exhibit marking system does Hawaii require?
Labels such as P-1 and D-1 may be used, but RCCH Rule 18 prescribes no party-based format, so confirm the assigned judge's pre-trial order. RCCH Rule 18 requires exhibits to be disclosed and marked but prescribes no party-based format, so confirm the assigned judge's pre-trial order. Exhibits must be marked for identification at least one day before trial and listed in any pre-trial order under RCCH Rule 18(a)(4).
Are there special considerations for inter-island litigation in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii's four circuits span multiple islands (Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai), creating unique logistical challenges. Travel between islands for document delivery, depositions, and hearings can be time-consuming and expensive. The First Circuit (Oahu/Honolulu) handles the largest share of Hawaii's caseload. Exhibits that cannot be electronically converted, such as videotapes or large maps, may be filed conventionally instead of through JEFS.
Can Hawaiian language be used in Hawaii court proceedings?
Yes. The Hawaii Constitution makes English and Hawaiian the official languages of the State. Hawaiian is an official language of Hawaii; confirm with the court how Hawaiian-language exhibits and testimony are handled. Confirm with the court whether Hawaiian-language documents need English translations. Hawaii's constitution recognizes Hawaiian as an official language alongside English.
See It in Action
A video walkthrough of ExhibitPrep stamping exhibits for Hawaii courts.
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