What is the Romeo and Juliet law in Hawaii?
Asked by: Julie Auer | Last update: February 6, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (74 votes)
Hawaii has a "Romeo and Juliet law" provision in its sexual assault statutes that creates an exception to statutory rape charges for consensual sexual activity between young people close in age, specifically if one person is 14 or 15 and the other is less than five years older, allowing a 14-year-old to consent with a 17-year-old, for instance, but not a 20-year-old. This exception prevents prosecution when the age gap is small, acknowledging that teens close in age might not be mature enough to understand the legal complexities but should not face severe penalties for consensual relationships.
Does Hawaii have Romeo and Juliet laws?
Hawai'i law has an age gap provision that intends to avoid penalizing sexual activity among certain teens. Persons at least 14 years old and less than 16 years old can consent to sexual activity with a person who is less than five years older.
Is there a Romeo and Juliet law in the USA?
Thirty U.S. states have age gap laws which make sexual activity legal if the ages of both participants are close to one another, and these laws are often referred to as "Romeo and Juliet laws".
What is the Sunshine law in Hawaii?
The Sunshine Law is Hawaii's open meetings law. It governs the manner in which all state and county boards must conduct their official business. The Office of Information Practices (“OIP”) has been the agency in charge of administering the Sunshine Law since 1998.
Is 17 and 19 legal in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, the legal age of consent to have sex is 16 years old. However, a close-in-age exception allows those 14 years or older to have sex with someone less than five years older. Therefore, a 14-year-old cannot have sex with a 19-year-old unless they are married.
What is the Romeo and Juliet Law?
Where is 12 the legal age of consent?
Age of consent laws vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, nearly all jurisdictions set the age of consent between 14 and 18 years (with the exceptions of Cuba which sets the age of consent at 12, Argentina, Niger and Western Sahara which set the age of consent at 13, Mexico which sets the age of consent ...
How old is a minor in Hawaii?
§ 577D-1. A “minor without support” is a child who is “at least fourteen years of age but less than eighteen years of age who is not under the care, supervision, or control of a parent, custodian, or legal guardian” but is also not emancipated. Haw. Rev.
What is the rule 7 in Hawaii?
"Rule 7 Hawaii" most commonly refers to Rule 7 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaiʻi, which governs the limited practice of law by supervised law-student interns, allowing them to provide legal services under attorney supervision to improve access to justice and develop skills, though the specific context could also point to Honolulu's Bill 7 (Housing/Zoning) or Federal Rule 7 on pleadings in Hawaii's district courts.
What is Hawaii's best kept secret?
Hawaii's "best kept secret" isn't one place but a collection of less-crowded spots, like Maui's artistic Makawao town, the striking Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach, Oahu's tranquil Byodo-In Temple, and the emerging Kaneohe Sandbar, all offering authentic beauty, local culture, or peaceful escapes away from typical tourist hubs, emphasizing experiences beyond popular resorts.
What are the wacky laws in Hawaii?
All residents may be fined as a result of not owning a boat. Coins are not allowed to be placed in one's ears. Honolulu: Within the limits of any public park, it is unlawful to annoy any bird. In Hawaii it is illegal to get a tattoo behind your ear or on your eyelid unless in the presence of a registered physician.
What is the Jack and Jill law?
There are no Romeo and Juliet laws in California. This means that it is always statutory rape (PC 261.5) to have consensual sexual intercourse with someone under 18, even if you are close-in-age or a minor yourself. 1.
What country has a 12 year old age of consent?
While laws vary and can be complex, Cuba is noted for having a low age of consent (12), and some regions in Mexico, like the state of Sinaloa, set it at 12, though federal law and other state rules, plus statutes against statutory rape, create complexities, making it a country where 12 can apply depending on circumstances. Other places, like the Philippines, have also had low ages (12), though there are ongoing efforts to raise it.
What is the UK age of consent?
In the UK, the legal age of consent is 16 – this means that in the eyes of the law, you are only able to consent to sex when you are 16 or over. It is important to know that this law is there to protect people from being harmed or taken advantage of by adults – not to get young people in trouble for having sex.
What is the youngest age you can get married in Hawaii?
Hawaii's laws regularly define "children" as persons who are less than eighteen years of age; they are often also termed "minors". Nonetheless, the law allows children as young as sixteen years of age to marry. State law further authorizes the family court to approve a marriage of a child who is fifteen years of age.
Is Hawaii a single party consent state?
Hawaii* (in general a one-party state, but requires two-party consent if the recording device is installed in a private place)
Does Hawaii have a three strikes law?
State Sen. Sharon Moriwaki said Hawaii already has habitual crime laws when it comes to property misdemeanors — three convictions within five years means prosecutors can charge someone with a Class C felony — but the State does not have the same law for personal misdemeanors like third-degree assault.
Why can't you whistle at night in Hawaii?
You can't whistle at night in Hawaii (or shouldn't) because it's a superstition that it summons the Hukai'po (Night Marchers), the spirits of ancient Hawaiian warriors, bringing bad luck or danger, with tales suggesting you should lie face down in respect if you hear their drums and chanting. This belief is part of a broader tradition in many cultures, including Indigenous peoples, warning against night whistling to avoid attracting malevolent spirits, ghosts, or even dangerous wildlife.
What is the number one crime in Hawaii?
In 2024 in Hawaii, 62.5% of all violent crimes were aggravated assaults; 19%, robberies; 17.9%, rapes; and 0.73%, murders. Hawaii ranked 42nd among states for high violent crime rates (218 offenses per 100,000 people). The rate was highest in Alaska (724 offenses per 100,000 people) and lowest in Maine (100).
Can I live in Hawaii on $3,000 a month?
Living in Hawaii on $3,000 a month is extremely challenging and generally not feasible for a comfortable lifestyle, as most sources suggest needing $4,500-$5,000+ monthly, but it might be possible for a single person with significant sacrifices like roommates, a minimalist diet (Costco, markets), living in less expensive areas (like Hilo vs. Kona), and finding extremely cheap rent, but you'll likely be just scraping by, especially as a newcomer.
Was homosexuality common in Hawaii?
Pre-19th century
In the Polynesian culture, which had spread to Hawaii, the māhū were classified as a third gender of person alongside male and female persons. Aikāne relationships were widely practiced and accepted by precolonial Hawaiian society.
What is not allowed to leave Hawaii?
APHIS prohibits or restricts the movement of many agricultural products from Hawaii into the U.S. mainland, Alaska, and Guam. These include most fresh fruits and vegetables and certain plants, such as flowers. That's because these items could harbor a dangerous stowaway—an invasive pest or disease.
What are the blue laws in Hawaii?
The first written laws in Hawaii are known as the Blue Laws and date to 1833. Many of these laws may have been used to prosecute sodomy and similar conduct. A law enacted in 18402 permitted villages to prosecute "any particular evils" against which no law existed.
Is $2000 enough for a week in Hawaii?
Yes, $2000 can be enough for a week in Hawaii for one person, but it's tight and heavily depends on whether flights, accommodation, and rental cars are included in that budget; if so, you'll need to focus on budget travel (food trucks, free activities, cheaper islands like Oahu). If $2000 is just for spending money (food, activities) on top of pre-paid flights and hotels, it's much more comfortable and allows for more experiences like luaus or nicer dinners, though food and activities are expensive.
What is Hawaii's drinking age?
The legal Hawaii drinking age is 21 years old. In Hawaii, minors are permitted to consume alcohol in a private area under the supervision of their parents or legal guardians, given that the parents or guardians are the ones providing the in such circumstances.
How old can a child be left alone in Hawaii?
There's no single right answer. Some parents feel that 10 to 12 years old would be an appropriate age; others may feel ready earlier, or later. Unlike some states, Hawaiʻi has no “home alone” law specifying a minimum age.