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HRS §580-18

Gender-neutral reading of family terms

This section says that when the law uses words like wife, husband, mother, or father, those words apply to any gender. It also applies to rules made under this law. This makes the law fair for all people.

everyone

The statute, as written — Interpretation of words to be gender-neutral

With regard to the rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities of persons set forth under this chapter, all gender-specific terminology, such as "wife", "husband", "mother", "father", "aunt", "uncle", "niece", "nephew", or similar terms, shall be construed in a gender-neutral manner. This rule of interpretation shall apply to all administrative rules adopted hereunder.
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.