Kids First Hawaii: What to Know About the Mandatory Parenting Class

If you're filing for divorce, separation, or a paternity action involving minor children in Hawaii, the court assigns a circuit-specific parent-education program. In the First Circuit, the notice is a "Notice to Attend Kids First Program" (Form 1F-P-787). The requirement isn't optional, and the programs are funded by the $50 Parent Education Surcharge built into the $265 child-related filing fee.

What the Parent-Education Program Covers

Hawaii's court-mandated parent-education programs are designed to help divorcing parents understand how separation affects children. The program covers:

• How children of different ages react to divorce and parental conflict
• Communication strategies for co-parents
• How to reduce the emotional impact of divorce on children
• Conflict-reduction techniques that apply directly to parenting plan negotiations

Children ages 6–17 participate as directed by the circuit; the First Circuit, for example, requires a live, one-hour Zoom class for children in that age range. These age-appropriate sessions help children process the divorce and develop healthy coping strategies.

Requirements vary by circuit. Maui requires the Verification Feedback Form and Feelings Quiz within 10 days of the assigned class date; Hilo and Kona require a Verification of Online Program Completion form. Confirm your circuit's attendance-verification process.

How to Enroll by Circuit

Each judicial circuit has its own parent-education coordinator and program:

• First Circuit (Oahu): (808) 954-8280
• Second Circuit (Maui): (808) 244-2770
• Third Circuit — Hilo: (808) 896-6465
• Third Circuit — Kona: (808) 987-1046
• Fifth Circuit (Kauai): (808) 482-2350

Contact your circuit's coordinator to schedule your session. Some circuits offer online attendance options, but requirements vary — confirm with your specific court.

What Happens If You Don't Attend

Non-compliance has real consequences:

Court delays: Nonattendance can delay the final decree or judgment. A non-compliant parent can stall the proceeding.

Judicial scrutiny: A parent who refuses to attend can be brought before the judge. Nonattendance may be weighed negatively in the custody determination.

Negative custody implications: Judges notice when a parent drags their feet on the assigned program. In a contested case, it signals a lack of engagement that can influence the custody determination.

How the Parent-Education Program Connects to Your Parenting Plan

The conflict-reduction strategies taught in the parent-education program aren't just theory — they directly apply to drafting a workable parenting plan. The program emphasizes:

Separating adult conflict from the child's experience: Your disagreements with your co-parent shouldn't filter down to your child. This maps to Factor 12 of the best-interest factors (separating parent needs from child needs).

Age-appropriate communication: What you tell a 6-year-old about the divorce is different from what you tell a 14-year-old. The program provides frameworks for these conversations.

Transition management: The program addresses how to handle exchanges between households — the moments when children are most likely to witness parental conflict.

Making the Most of It

Most parents approach the assigned program as a box to check. The parents who benefit most use it as preparation for the harder conversations ahead — mediation, parenting plan negotiations, and the ongoing co-parenting relationship.

Take notes on the communication frameworks. Consider how the conflict-reduction techniques apply to your specific situation. And complete the program early — getting it done quickly removes a potential delay in your case.

The Hawaii Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide builds on the principles taught in Hawaii's parent-education programs with practical worksheets for drafting your parenting plan, tracking overnights, and structuring communication rules that reduce ongoing conflict.

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