FILED IN THE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF HAWAII
Sep 29, 2025, 9:37 am
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT Lucy H. Carrillo, Clerk of Court
FOR THE DISTRICT OF HAWAII
IN RE:
PROCEDURES FOR ACCESS
AND MANAGEMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
SEALED DOCUMENTS
WHEREAS, in response to recent cyberattacks on the Case Management/Electronic
Case Files ("CM/ECF") system of the federal courts, the United States District Court for
the District of Hawaii hereby implements new procedures for the access, service, and
management of sealed documents. Effective as of the date of this order and until such
time as the Court orders otherwise, the Court adopts the below procedures regarding
sealed documents filed in CM/ECF:
1. Filing and Electronic Access to Sealed & Restricted Documents. Sealed
documents will continue to be filed in CM/ECF under the Court’s existing
procedures. After filing, these documents will no longer be accessible or viewable
in CM/ECF.
2. Service of Sealed Documents Filed in CM/ECF. Parties must serve sealed
documents conventionally by other appropriate means as provided by the Federal
Rules of Procedure. (See, Fed. R. Civ. P. 5, Fed. R. Crim. P. 49.) The Court will
serve sealed orders, notices, and other Court-generated documents by U.S. mail to
attorneys of record and self-represented parties.
3. Additional Copies of Sealed Documents. A party with permission to receive a
sealed document in a case who requires a copy of a sealed document will contact
the Clerk’s Office to request a copy. After confirming that the party making the
request has permission to access the document, the Clerk’s Office will provide the
document(s) by U.S. Mail or in-person. Requests for paper copies of sealed
documents will be subject to the current docket copy fee rate as set by the District
of Hawaii Fee Schedule.
4. Highly Sensitive Documents (HSDs). Sealed documents that are defined as
HSDs will continue to be subject to the Court’s HSD procedures. For more
information on the filing of HSDs, see the General Order 23-9000.
5. Questions about Sealed Document Procedures. Any questions about the
filing of and access to sealed documents should be directed to the Clerk’s Office at
(808) 541-1300.
This Order supersedes any and all inconsistent prior Court orders, local rules, or other
guidance regarding the filing of sealed documents.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: September 25, 2025 at Honolulu, Hawaii.
/s/ Derrick K. Watson
_______________________________
Derrick K. Watson
Chief United States District Judge
