Restraining Orders

You can file a domestic abuse protective order against a family or household member who has committed acts of domestic abuse against you or your minor child.

You can also file a petition on behalf of a family or household member who is: 

• a minor child - however, a minor child who is 16 or older can also choose to file on his/her own; 
• an “incapacitated person”; or 
• someone who is physically unable to travel to complete or file the petition.¹

An “incapacitated person” is someone over the age of 18 who cannot care for his/her own physical health, safety, or self-care needs - even with technological assistance.²

A family or household member includes:

• your current or former spouse;
• your current or former reciprocal beneficiary;
• someone you share a child with;
• someone you are dating or used to date;
• your parent;
• your child;
• someone related to you by blood or marriage; and
• someone you live with, or used to live with, unless they fall into one of the following categories:
  • adults who lived together as roommates; or
  • adults who were cohabitants only for economic reasons, or due to a contract or lease.³

¹ Haw. Rev. Stat. § 586-3(b)
² Haw. Rev. Stat. § 560:5-102
³ Haw. Rev. Stat. § 586-1

A minor is a person who has not yet turned 18.¹ If you are a minor, any family member, household member, or state agency may file for an domestic abuse protective order on your behalf. However, if you are 16 or older, you can also choose to file on your own without an adult.²

¹ Haw. Rev. Stat. § 577-1
² Haw. Rev. Stat. § 586-3(b)