Rule 121.Purpose and Scope; Definitions.

Current through July 1, 2026 · Last verified September 11, 2026

In one sentenceRule 121 states the purpose of the juvenile rules and defines the eight terms Part D runs on.

Full Text of Rule 121

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) (a) Purpose and scope. The purpose of these Rules is to implement the provisions of the Hawaiʻi Family Court Act, Chapter 571, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, relating to cases coming under sections 571-11(1) and (2).

(b) (b) Definitions. In addition to statutory definitions set forth in HRS section 571-2 as used in these Rules, unless the context requires another meaning:

(1) (1) “Adjudication hearing” means a hearing for the purpose of determining whether the allegations of a petition are admitted or established under the provisions of HRS chapter 571, and these Rules.

(2) (2) “Complaint” means an oral or written report to the court concerning a child who is alleged to come within the provisions of HRS section 571-11(1) or (2).

(3) (3) “Custodian” means a parent or other person or an agency having or legally exercising the physical custody of a child.

(4) (4) “Disposition hearing” means a hearing for the purpose of determining what shall be done on behalf of a child who has been adjudged to come within the provisions of HRS section 571-11(1) or (2).

(5) (5) “Parent” means a legal parent of a child who is the legal subject of a court proceeding. If the child has no legal parents but does have a legally appointed guardian of the child’s person, such legal guardian shall be deemed to be the parent for the purpose of these Rules unless the court shall have appointed a guardian ad litem for the child pursuant to these Rules in which event the guardian ad litem shall be deemed the child’s parent.

(6) (6) “Party” means a child who is the subject of a court proceeding; or the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of such child; or any person or agency denominated by the statute or the court as a party in a given case.

(7) (7) “Petition” means the legal document containing the allegations upon which the court’s jurisdiction is based.

(8) (8) “Transfer hearing” or “Waiver hearing” means a hearing for the purpose of determining whether a person should be transferred for trial as an adult for a felony offense allegedly committed during the person’s minority.

End

Amendment History

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary’s compiled text of this rule carries no amendment order for this rule. For the adopting orders and any later amendments, see the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary’s rules page.

Plain-English Summary

Part D opens by saying what it is for: implementing the provisions of the Hawaii Family Court Act relating to cases under the two jurisdictional paragraphs that cover juvenile offenders and children beyond control.

Eight definitions follow, and they carry the rest of Part D. An adjudication hearing determines whether the allegations of a petition are admitted or established. A complaint is an oral or written report to the court about a child alleged to come within those provisions. A custodian is a parent or other person or agency having or legally exercising physical custody. A disposition hearing determines what shall be done on behalf of a child already adjudged to come within them.

Parent means a legal parent, and where a child has none but has a legally appointed guardian of the person, that guardian is deemed the parent unless the court has appointed a guardian ad litem. Party reaches the child, the parent, guardian or legal custodian, and anyone the statute or the court names as a party. Petition is the document containing the allegations the court jurisdiction rests on. A transfer or waiver hearing determines whether a person should be tried as an adult for a felony allegedly committed during their minority.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the Hawaii juvenile rules apply to?

Cases under the two jurisdictional paragraphs of the Family Court Act covering juvenile offenders and children beyond control, governed by Part D, Rules 121 to 158.

What is an adjudication hearing?

A hearing to determine whether the allegations of a petition are admitted or established.

What is a disposition hearing?

A hearing to determine what shall be done on behalf of a child who has been adjudged to come within the statutory provisions.

Who counts as a party in a juvenile case?

The child who is the subject of the proceeding, the parent, guardian or legal custodian, and any person or agency the statute or the court names as a party.

What is a transfer or waiver hearing?

A hearing to determine whether a person should be transferred for trial as an adult for a felony offence allegedly committed during their minority.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Hawaii Family Court Rules (Haw. Fam. Ct. R. 121). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Hawaii. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 11, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: hawaii juvenile court rules definitionsadjudication hearing hawaii juveniledisposition hearing hawaiihawaii family court rule 121