Restraining Orders

After you complete the necessary forms, a judge will look at your petition. S/he may ask you questions or make a decision based on your petition only. The harasser does not need to be present. If the judge believes your allegations meet Hawai‘i’s definition of harassment, s/he will grant you an immediate TRO. This TRO can last up to 90 days or until your full court hearing.¹

If a TRO is granted:

A hearing will be scheduled within 15 days. If the harasser has not been properly notified before the date of the hearing, the court may set a new date for the hearing. The new date can’t be more than 90 days from the date the TRO was initially granted.¹

The court clerk will give you certified copies of the order. Ask the clerk to “conform” all copies by stamping the judge’s signature and date on all orders.² Review the order before you leave the courthouse to make sure that the information is correct. If something is wrong or missing, you can ask the clerk how you can correct the order before you leave. Be sure to keep it with you at all times. You may want to keep copies in your car, at your workplace, or at your child’s daycare, for example.

¹ Haw. Rev. Stat. § 604-10.5(g)
² See Hawai‘i State Judiciary website