(a) Parents or, in case they are both deceased, guardians, legally appointed, shall have control over the conduct and education of their minor children. They shall have the right, at all times, to recover the physical custody of their children by habeas corpus. All parents and guardians shall provide, to the best of their abilities, for the discipline, support, and education of their children.

Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 577-7

  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
(b) To the extent that the minor child has a beneficial interest in the income or principal of any trust which is applied for such purposes, parents or guardians shall not be required to pay the costs of registration, tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses incurred in connection with the attendance of a minor child at any private grammar, secondary, industrial arts or trade school, or at any college or university, whether or not the college or university is a private institution or is maintained by a state or any subdivision thereof. The power of the family court under sections 580-47 and 580-74 to compel the parties to a divorce or separation to provide for the education of a minor or an adult child shall not be limited by any provision of this subsection.