How Hawai‘i Calculates Child Support
Hawai‘i converts gross income to net income, sets the children’s primary need at $455 per child plus child care and insurance, shares the SOLA income left over at 10% per child up to 30%, and splits the total by each parent’s net-income share, less the child care and insurance each parent pays.
Step 1: Net income and shares
Each parent’s gross monthly income from all sources is converted to monthly net income using the Table of Incomes (Appendix B), and the two are added. Each parent’s percentage of the total, rounded to a whole percent, is his or her share (Lines 1 to 3). See net income and the Table of Incomes.
Step 2: The children’s primary need
The primary child support need is $455 for each child, which is based on the federal poverty level for Hawai‘i, plus reasonable child care expenses actually paid so the custodial parent can work or train, plus the children’s health insurance premiums actually paid (or the cash medical amount). Lines 4 to 7.
Step 3: The Standard of Living Adjustment
Add the parents’ SOLA incomes, which are gross income above a $1,303 set-aside, subtract the primary need, and multiply what is left by 10% for each child, up to 30% (one child 10%, two children 20%, three or more 30%). The result is the SOLA amount for the children. Lines 8 to 12.
Step 4: Obligations and credits
Add the primary need and the SOLA amount (Line 13) and multiply by each parent’s share to get each parent’s total support obligation (Line 14). Each parent’s obligation is at least $91 per child and cannot exceed that parent’s net income. Then subtract the child care and health insurance that parent actually pays (Lines 15 and 16). If the parent is the noncustodial parent, Line 17, rounded to the nearest dollar, is what he or she pays the other parent.
A worked example
Two children live mostly with their mother (A), who earns $4,500 a month and pays $600 for child care. The father (B) earns $7,000, pays $250 for the children’s insurance and has 40 overnights a year.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross monthly income: custodial parent (A) / paying parent (B) | $4,500 / $7,000 |
| Net income (Line 2) | $1,529 / $3,081 |
| Share of total net income (Line 3) | 33% / 67% |
| Base primary support: 2 children x $455 (Line 4) | $910 |
| Child care $600 paid by A (Line 5) | $600 |
| Health insurance $250 paid by B (Line 6) | $250 |
| Primary child support need (Line 7) | $1,760 |
| SOLA income, both parents (Line 8) | $8,894 |
| Remaining SOLA income after the primary need (Line 10) | $7,134 |
| SOLA amount at 20% (Lines 11 and 12) | $1,427 |
| Child support calculation (Line 13) | $3,187 |
| Total obligation (Line 14) | $1,052 / $2,135 |
| Less credits for child care and insurance each parent pays (Lines 15 and 16) | −$600 / −$250 |
| Remaining obligation after credits (Line 17) | $452 / $1,885 |
The Hawai‘i child support calculator reproduces this example.
What to gather
Pay stubs and tax returns for both parents, the child care invoices, the premium that covers the children, and a calendar of the actual overnights. The Judiciary’s Excel worksheets use the same inputs.
More overnights
At 143 overnights or fewer the amount above is the order. More than 143 overnights is extensive time-sharing and about 183 is equal time-sharing; the same family would pay $1,389 a month at 160 overnights and $717 at equal time. See equal and extensive time-sharing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the primary child support need in Hawai‘i?
$455 per child plus child care and health insurance premiums actually paid.
How is SOLA income computed in Hawai‘i?
A parent's gross income above a $1,303 set-aside, added for both parents, less the primary need, times 10% per child up to 30%.
Is there a minimum child support in Hawai‘i?
Yes, $91 per child on the worksheet, and a parent's obligation cannot exceed that parent's net income.
Are child care and insurance credited in Hawai‘i?
Yes. The child care and children's health insurance a parent actually pays are credited against that parent's obligation.
Who pays child support in Hawai‘i?
The noncustodial parent pays Line 17 to the other parent, adjusted under the extensive or equal time-sharing worksheets when overnights exceed 143.
Official sources
- 2024 Hawai‘i Child Support Guidelines
- 2024 Child Support Guidelines Excel Worksheets
- Appendix B: Table of Incomes
- Hawai‘i State Judiciary: Child Support Guidelines
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Hawaii statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Hawaii attorney.