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Age of Majority and Emancipation in Hawaii

In Hawaii, the age of majority is 18, and a minor who has reached 16 can petition the family court for a declaration of emancipation.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Hawaii at a glance

Age of majority
18
Emancipation by court petition
Yes
Procedure: Declaration of emancipation. The petition must be filed on the minor's behalf by a state agency or the minor's attorney, not by a parent.
Minimum age to petition
16

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Hawaii

What is the age of majority in Hawaii?

Age of majority in Hawaii: 18.

Does Hawaii have a statute that lets a minor petition a court for emancipation?

Yes. Emancipation by court petition in Hawaii: yes. Procedure: Declaration of emancipation. The petition must be filed on the minor's behalf by a state agency or the minor's attorney, not by a parent.

How old must a minor be to petition for emancipation in Hawaii?

Minimum age to petition in Hawaii: 16.

Where do the Hawaii age of majority laws come from?

The rules above come from Haw. Rev. Stat. 577-1 and Haw. Rev. Stat. 577-25. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The family court petition process was added to HRS 577-25 by Act 79 of 2023.

What this means in practice

The age of majority is not the same as every age limit in the law. Separate rules can set the age for drinking alcohol, buying tobacco, making a will, marrying without consent or ending child support, so check the specific rule that applies to the question you have.

Emancipation usually requires a court petition and proof that the minor can support and manage themselves. A court order may grant full adult status or only specific rights, and it can end a parent's duty of support. Read the order and the statute together to see exactly what changes.

Documents signed for a minor, such as a medical consent form or a power of attorney for a child, generally stop being needed once the child reaches the age of majority. Contracts signed by a minor may be voidable, so adults dealing with minors often ask a parent or guardian to sign as well.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.