FAQs

Q. What is social hosting?

A. It is the legal term for providing alcohol to anyone under 21. Hawaii, like many states, has strict social hosting liability laws.

Q. Does the social host law apply to my child who isn’t 21 yet?

A. Yes. Anyone who supplies alcohol to a minor is both criminally and civilly liable. So, if your 18-year-old provides alcohol to a minor, both of you are liable.

Q. Can I give alcohol to a minor if his or her parent says it’s okay?

A. No. The law clearly says that it is illegal to provide alcohol to a minor or even know about them drinking on your property. You are subject to criminal prosecution even if the minor’s parent thinks it is okay for their child to drink.

Q. Can I give permission for my child to drink at someone else’s house?

A. No. Just as the law doesn’t allow another parent to let you serve alcohol to their child in your home, it doesn’t allow you to approve underage drinking for your child elsewhere.

Q. If my child has a party while I’m not there, am I still liable?

A. Yes, if minors drink in your home or on your property – even if you’re not there – you can be criminally charged and/or held civilly liable.

Q. What should I do if a minor starts drinking in my house?

A. Clearly explain that you have rules about underage drinking and that it’s something you can’t accept. Take the alcohol away. Call the minor’s parents and if necessary, call the police.

Q. Wouldn't it be better to allow teens to learn how to drink earlier like they do in Europe?

A. Some people think that because of the more relaxed attitude toward alcohol, European teens get used to drinking and aren’t as prone to excess as American teens. However, the facts don’t support this theory. There are more than 200,000 teen deaths every year in Europe caused by alcohol.⁹