If you are divorcing your spouse in Hawaii and have children, something you may be considering is taking your children back to the U.S. mainland. There are a few different things that you should consider before deciding if going to another state is a good idea, especially considering how different Hawaii is an how far away it is in comparison to some other locations.
Hawaii, as a group of islands and U.S. state, is in a unique position. The shortest distance between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii is around five and a half hours by plane, depending on where you’re traveling.
Since Hawaii is so separated, it’s important to think carefully about whether splitting custody of your children is a good idea and if it’s feasible based on your income and the way travel works between the two areas of the U.S.
Traveling to and from Hawaii is not simple
Travel between the mainland and Hawaii isn’t always simple. The state is completely separated from the rest of the country, so visitation would have to be virtual, by plane, or by ship. For younger children, traveling alone on even the shortest flight may be difficult, if not dangerous. At the same time, going with your children back and forth for custody could be costly.
Cultural differences could be a shock to kids, too
Another factor to consider is that there are some cultural differences between Hawaii and the rest of the United States. There are different ethnic groups and laws. The way of life in Hawaii is also different than in many parts of the U.S. This could be difficult for children to adjust to if they aren’t used to being on the mainland, so parents should think through a move before deciding where their child should stay.
Custody is more complex for families split between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii, but it’s possible to come up with solutions. There are different arrangements that may help, such as splitting time between the island and mainland during longer breaks. It’s a good idea to get to know your legal rights and then to look at how a move could impact your children.
