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HRS §352-8

Guardianship and custody of committed youth

This section says the director of Hawaii youth correctional facilities is the legal guardian of every youth sent there, with the same duties a parent would have. The director is not responsible for damage the youth causes. For people 18 or older, the director has custody for the time the court orders.

everyone

The statute, as written — Guardianship and custody of the person committed

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the director shall be the guardian of every youth committed to or received at the Hawaii youth correctional facilities. The director shall have all the powers and duties of a natural guardian of the youth; provided that the director shall not be liable in damages for the tortious acts committed by the youth. (b) The director shall have custody of any committed person who is eighteen years of age or older for the period provided for by the court.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.