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

If you're filing for divorce or a paternity action involving children in Hawaii, you'll receive a "Notice to Attend Kids First Program" (Form 1F-P-787). This isn't optional — it's mandatory for every custody case, funded by the $50 Parent Education Surcharge built into the $265 filing fee.

What Kids First Covers

Kids First is a court-mandated education program 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

For children ages 6–17, there's a separate Kids First component. Children attend their own age-appropriate sessions that help them process the divorce and develop healthy coping strategies.

The program includes required videos and a child Feelings Quiz. Parents must complete all components and verify attendance with the court clerk in their circuit.

How to Enroll by Circuit

Each judicial circuit has its own Kids First coordinator:

• 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: Your divorce or paternity case cannot move forward until both parents complete Kids First. A non-compliant parent can stall the entire proceeding.

Judicial scrutiny: A parent who refuses to attend can be brought before the judge. Non-compliance is viewed as an unwillingness to put the child's needs first — which directly undermines Factor 5 of the sixteen best-interest factors (cooperation in developing a plan for the child).

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

How Kids First Connects to Your Parenting Plan

The conflict-reduction strategies taught in Kids First 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. Kids First 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 Kids First 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 Kids First with practical worksheets for drafting your parenting plan, tracking overnights, and structuring communication rules that reduce ongoing conflict.

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