Hawaii is a combination state, meaning that delinquency services are organized at both the state and local level. Delinquency services are organized at the state level in Hawaii.

How is detention organized? 

The Family Court of the First Circuit, Detention Services Branch, administers the only secure detention facility in the state for youth.

Juveniles who are first-time offenders or are charged with misdemeanors may be eligible for diversion projects or informal adjustment at the Family Court. Hawaii Revised Statutes section 571-31.4 addresses diversion from court or informal adjustment, with Hawaii Family Court Rule 124 providing detail concerning detention procedures.

The Hawaii Bill of Rights for Victims and Witnesses specifically extends rights to the victims of juvenile violence, including a right to receive information from the police and the prosecuting attorney concerning the disposition of the case and any efforts to plea bargain, have a secure waiting area at court, receive information from the Department of Public Safety concerning release decisions, and attend all court hearings.

Juvenile probation services are organized under each circuit's Family Court. Each circuit is responsible for their juvenile probation staff. The Judiciary Branch of the state government funds probation services.

The minimum education and experience requirements for the position of a juvenile probation officer are a bachelor's degree and work experience. Currently, probation officers are not professionally certified in the state. Supervisors conduct initial and ongoing in-service training for juvenile probation officers.

The Family Court judge decides where to place committed juveniles, either in the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF) or in community-based residential placements. There are two types of commitment-–short-term and minority.

There is no juvenile parole authority or board in Hawaii. The Office of Youth Services director makes the release decision. Juveniles can remain in Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility custody until age 19. 

Aftercare (called parole in Hawaii) is the responsibility of Juvenile Parole under the supervision of the Office of Youth Services. Juvenile parole officers supervise youth on parole.

Hawaii’s Purpose Clause emphasizes punishment, deterrence, accountability, and/or public safety and can loosely characterized as “tough” as is stresses community protection, offender accountability, crime reduction through deterrence or punishment.

Lower Age: None specified

Upper Age: 17

Extended Age of Delinquency Jurisdiction: until full term of dispositional order

There is no state mandated risk/needs assessment instrument used to determine levels of probation supervision. The Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory is used to identify juveniles' service needs and to measure their risk of recidivism when considering placement options.