A proposed ban on child marriage stalls—15-year-olds remain eligible to wed
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In a quiet decision that slipped past most national headlines, Hawaii has chosen to keep a controversial doorway open—one that allows children as young as 15 to legally wed.
A proposed bill meant to close that door forever met an unexpected death in the Senate, not with debate, but with silence. Behind the move lies a single senator's belief that marriage, for some teens, is not a trap but a ticket to survival.
But what does it say when a law meant to protect the vulnerable is halted by the very idea of protection itself?
Sen. Joy San Buenaventura argued that marriage offers critical benefits to some teens, particularly those facing unstable home environments or in need of access to a partner's health insurance.
"Until last year, the only way for a teen to be independent was to get married," she said, referencing Hawaii's newly established emancipation law.
Critics, including advocacy groups like Unchained At Last and the Tahirih Justice Center, say this inaction endangers children.
"It’s a shame, first and foremost for the children of Hawaiʻi who remain in danger of child marriage and all the harm that comes along with it," said Alex Goyette, a policy manager with Tahirih.
They and other activists argue that child marriage can lead to coercion, limited education, and a greater risk of domestic abuse.
More than 800 minors were married in Hawaii between 2000 and 2022, with most of those unions involving girls marrying adult men.
Some marriages included age gaps as wide as 21 years, though the Department of Health maintains that most were between teens close in age.
Still, national advocates point to research showing early marriage can hinder life outcomes and believe even rare instances pose serious risks.
The issue also intersects with Hawaii's statutory rape laws. The state's age of consent is 16, but in marriage, those protections are bypassed, potentially creating a legal loophole.
Some, like former child bride Iris Lorenzo, share complex personal stories.
Iris was 15 when she married a 21-year-old man at her mother's encouragement.
Though she ultimately had a long and happy marriage, she says she would not recommend the same path today.
"Let your kid experience everything a child and student needs to experience before they're pressured into making a decision to either get married or start their career," she advised.
Nationwide, 13 states and Washington, D.C. have enacted bans on all marriages under 18, and two more states are considering similar laws. Advocates argue Hawaii is lagging behind.
Reform supporters remain committed to ending child marriage in the state and are expected to reintroduce the bill in the next legislative session.
Meanwhile, opponents like San Buenaventura continue to emphasize local context and the potential benefits marriage may offer to certain vulnerable teens.
Read next:
Have you or someone you know been affected by child marriage laws? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
A proposed bill meant to close that door forever met an unexpected death in the Senate, not with debate, but with silence. Behind the move lies a single senator's belief that marriage, for some teens, is not a trap but a ticket to survival.
But what does it say when a law meant to protect the vulnerable is halted by the very idea of protection itself?
Sen. Joy San Buenaventura argued that marriage offers critical benefits to some teens, particularly those facing unstable home environments or in need of access to a partner's health insurance.
"Until last year, the only way for a teen to be independent was to get married," she said, referencing Hawaii's newly established emancipation law.
Critics, including advocacy groups like Unchained At Last and the Tahirih Justice Center, say this inaction endangers children.
"It’s a shame, first and foremost for the children of Hawaiʻi who remain in danger of child marriage and all the harm that comes along with it," said Alex Goyette, a policy manager with Tahirih.
They and other activists argue that child marriage can lead to coercion, limited education, and a greater risk of domestic abuse.
More than 800 minors were married in Hawaii between 2000 and 2022, with most of those unions involving girls marrying adult men.
Some marriages included age gaps as wide as 21 years, though the Department of Health maintains that most were between teens close in age.
Still, national advocates point to research showing early marriage can hinder life outcomes and believe even rare instances pose serious risks.
The issue also intersects with Hawaii's statutory rape laws. The state's age of consent is 16, but in marriage, those protections are bypassed, potentially creating a legal loophole.
Some, like former child bride Iris Lorenzo, share complex personal stories.
Iris was 15 when she married a 21-year-old man at her mother's encouragement.
Though she ultimately had a long and happy marriage, she says she would not recommend the same path today.
"Let your kid experience everything a child and student needs to experience before they're pressured into making a decision to either get married or start their career," she advised.
Nationwide, 13 states and Washington, D.C. have enacted bans on all marriages under 18, and two more states are considering similar laws. Advocates argue Hawaii is lagging behind.
Reform supporters remain committed to ending child marriage in the state and are expected to reintroduce the bill in the next legislative session.
Meanwhile, opponents like San Buenaventura continue to emphasize local context and the potential benefits marriage may offer to certain vulnerable teens.
Read next:
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