Quick answer: Hawaii awards custody to either parent or both according to the child’s best interests, with no presumption for joint or sole custody, though a family violence finding raises a presumption against custody with the perpetrator. For child support, 143 or fewer overnights is standard, more than 143 and fewer than 183 is extensive time-sharing, and about 183 is equal.
This Hawaii parenting time calculator turns a schedule into overnights a year and shows the support category in the guidelines at the Hawaii Child Support Guidelines. Enter the overnights in a 14-day cycle and any extra nights: the result is arithmetic, and the court decides custody and support.
Hawaii parenting time and custody rules at a glance
| Rule | What Hawaii says |
|---|---|
| Best interests | Custody is awarded to either parent or to both parents according to the best interests of the child, and the court also may consider frequent, continuing and meaningful contact of each parent (HRS 571-46(a)(1)) |
| Presumption | None for joint or sole custody; neither parent has a preferred status |
| Family violence | A determination that a parent committed family violence raises a rebuttable presumption against sole custody, joint legal custody or joint physical custody with that parent (571-46(a)(9)) |
| Factors | Sixteen factors the court shall consider, from abuse and neglect to the overall quality of the parent-child relationship (571-46(b)) |
| Child support categories | Standard: 143 or fewer overnights; extensive: more than 143 and fewer than 183; equal: about 183 (Child Support Guidelines section V.H) |
| Moving | No relocation statute found; electronic visitation may not be used to justify a custodial parent’s relocation (571-46(a)(16)(B)) |
How do custody and parenting time work in Hawaii?
- Joint or sole custody. See joint versus sole custody in Hawaii.
- Schedules. See parenting time schedules in Hawaii.
- Moving with a child. See moving away with a child in Hawaii.
What does this parenting time calculator check?
You enter the overnights the other parent has in a typical 14-day cycle and any extra overnights a year, such as summer and holidays. The calculator scales the cycle to 365 nights, adds the extras, finds the parent with fewer overnights, and shows the guideline category and, for extensive time-sharing, how far the parent is along the 40-overnight band between 143 and equal. It does not calculate child support: use the Hawaii child support calculator for that, and the Hawaii divorce timeline calculator for the dates of the case.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hawaii presume joint custody?
No. Custody goes to either parent or both according to the child’s best interests, and neither parent has a preferred status.
How many overnights is extensive time-sharing in Hawaii?
More than 143 and fewer than 183 overnights a year for a parent.
How many overnights is equal time-sharing in Hawaii?
Approximately 183 overnights each.
Does domestic violence affect Hawaii custody?
A court finding of family violence raises a rebuttable presumption against sole, joint legal or joint physical custody with the perpetrator.
Does this Hawaii calculator set child support?
No. It counts overnights and shows the category; the Hawaii child support calculator estimates the guideline amount.