Family Court is a specialized division of the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary, established in 1965 to provide a fair, speedy, economical, and accessible forum for resolving legal matters involving families and children. It stands out as a dedicated public institution focused exclusively on family law and juvenile proceedings, serving all circuits across the state.
The court’s mission centers on protecting the well-being of children and families through a structured, compassionate, and legally sound approach. It handles a wide range of sensitive cases, from domestic violence and child welfare to divorce and custody disputes, ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive appropriate legal attention and support through various specialized programs and volunteer initiatives.
Services Offered
- Delinquency cases
- Status offenses
- Child abuse and neglect proceedings
- Termination of parental rights
- Adoption
- Guardianships for minors and adults
- Detention hearings
- Divorce proceedings
- Child support cases
- Paternity establishment
- Uniform child custody jurisdiction cases
- Domestic violence protective orders
- Abuse of family and household members offenses
- Felony offenses against household members
- Civil commitment cases
- Adult abuse cases
- Mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
- Victim services
- Language access and court interpreter services
- Self-help resources and interactive forms
- Access to justice initiatives
- Volunteer court navigator programs
- Kids First educational program for divorcing families
Family Court serves all circuits in Hawaiʻi, including Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, and Kauaʻi, and offers language assistance in multiple languages, such as Cantonese, Chuukese, Hawaiian, Ilokano, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Marshallese, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog, Tongan, and Vietnamese. It also provides ADA accommodations and support for self-represented litigants.
