Restraining Orders

Even though you can only apply for a domestic abuse protective order while the courts are open, if you need protection when the courts are closed the police may be able to help. A police officer who is investigating the physical abuse of a family/household member can order an abusive adult to leave the home for a “period of separation.”¹

The period of separation will last from:

• the time the officer gives him/her the order; until
• 6:00 p.m. on the second business day after the day the order was issued.¹

The day the order is issued is not counted when calculating the two business days. So, for example, a period of separation which began at 10:00 am on Thursday would last until 6:00 pm on Monday.

During the period of separation, it’s also illegal for the abuser to contact you, either by telephone or in person.¹ 

For more information, you can read the law on our Selected Hawai‘i Statutes page.

¹ Haw. Rev. Stat. § 709-906(4)(b)