HRS §576B-204
When Hawaii can handle a support case filed in another state
This section decides which state or country gets to handle a child support case when cases are filed in more than one place. Hawaii can take the case only if the other place's deadline to challenge its authority hasn't passed, someone challenges it there, and Hawaii is the child's home state. If the other place filed first and meets those conditions, Hawaii must not take the case.
childrencourtsparents
The statute, as written — Simultaneous proceedings
(a) A tribunal of this State may exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed after a pleading is filed in another state or a foreign country only if: (1) The petition or comparable pleading in this State is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in the other state or the foreign country for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by the other state or the foreign country; (2) The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in the other state or the foreign country; and (3) If relevant, this State is the home state of the child. (b) A tribunal of this State may not exercise jurisdiction to establish a support order if the petition or comparable pleading is filed before a petition or comparable pleading is filed in another state or a foreign country if: (1) The petition or comparable pleading in the other state or foreign country is filed before the expiration of the time allowed in this State for filing a responsive pleading challenging the exercise of jurisdiction by this State; (2) The contesting party timely challenges the exercise of jurisdiction in this State; and (3) If relevant, the other state or foreign country is the home state of the child.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.