HRS §658J-3

What this law covers and what arbitrators cannot decide

Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗

This law applies to arbitration of family law disputes. It says an arbitrator cannot make decisions about divorce, adoption, parental rights, child guardianship, or child protection status. Those matters must be handled by courts, not arbitrators.

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The statute, as written — Scope

A copy, taken August 20, 2026. The version published by the Legislature is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.

(a) This chapter governs arbitration of a family law dispute. (b) This chapter does not authorize an arbitrator to make an award that: (1) Grants a divorce, annulment, or separation under chapter 580; (2) Terminates parental rights under section 571-61 or section 587A-33; (3) Grants an adoption under chapter 578, or a guardianship of a child under section 560:5-202 or section 560:5-204, or incapacitated individual under section 560:5-301 or section 560:5-304; or (4) Determines the status of a child in need of protection under chapter 587A.

Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§560:5-202 How parents can name a guardian for their child

§560:5-204 When a court can appoint a guardian for a minor

§560:5-301 How a Guardian Is Appointed and How Long It Lasts

§560:5-304 How to ask the court for a guardian

§571-61 How to end parental rights in Hawaii

§587A-33 Termination of parental rights hearing

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