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Hawaii Alimony Calculator (2026)

Under HRS § 580‑47, Hawaii courts weigh 13 statutory factors when deciding spousal support, often favoring transitional or rehabilitative alimony rather than indefinite awards. Because the state has no fixed formula, the figures below are a rule‑of‑thumb estimate, not legal guidance.

Reviewed 2026-09-02 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice.

Hawaii has no statutory alimony formula. Courts decide case by case under HRS § 580-47. The calculator below shows a widely used rule of thumb (the AAML guideline) as a negotiation starting point — it is not the law and a judge may land anywhere the factors justify.
Before taxes.
Before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: Hawaii spousal support factors — HRS § 580-47.

How Hawaii calculates it

  • Take the higher‑earning spouse’s annual gross income and calculate 30% of it.
  • Take the lower‑earning spouse’s annual gross income and calculate 20% of it.
  • Subtract the lower‑earner amount from the higher‑earner amount to get a preliminary annual support figure.
  • Reduce that figure if the recipient’s total income would exceed 40% of the couple’s combined income.
  • Convert the final annual amount to a monthly figure.
  • Estimate duration by applying the marriage‑length percentage: 30% for marriages under 3 years, 50% for 3–10 years, 75% for 10–20 years, and indefinite for over 20 years.

Worked example

In the example, the higher earner makes $100,000 per year and the lower earner makes $40,000 per year. Applying the rule‑of‑thumb, 30% of $100,000 is $30,000 and 20% of $40,000 is $8,000, giving a difference of $22,000 per year. The 40% combined‑income cap reduces this to $16,000 per year, which works out to about $1,333 per month. For a 12‑year marriage, the duration guide (10–20 years) uses 75% of the total months, yielding roughly 108 months of support. The court is not bound by any of these calculations.

Frequently asked questions

How does Hawaii calculate the amount of alimony?

Hawaii courts do not follow a statutory formula; they consider 13 factors under § 580‑47. Practitioners often use a rule‑of‑thumb: 30% of the higher earner’s gross income minus 20% of the lower earner’s gross income, then apply a 40% combined‑income cap.

Is alimony taxable in Hawaii?

Hawaii follows federal treatment of alimony, so the payments are not taxable to the recipient and are not deductible by the payer.

How long can alimony last for a 12‑year marriage in Hawaii?

The rule‑of‑thumb suggests a duration of 75% of the marriage length; for a 12‑year marriage that equals roughly 108 months of support, though the court may set a different term.

Can the alimony amount be reduced if the recipient’s income is high?

Yes. The 40% cap limits the recipient’s total income to no more than 40% of the couple’s combined income, which can lower the support amount.

What recent changes affect alimony awards in Hawaii?

There is no statutory formula change; courts continue to apply the 13‑factor test and have increasingly favored temporary or rehabilitative support over permanent alimony.

Is the calculation different in Honolulu, Hilo or Kailua?

No. HRS § 580-47 applies statewide, so courts in Honolulu, Hilo, Kailua and every other county start from the same guideline. Local practice can differ in how judges weigh deviation factors and in typical negotiated outcomes, but the formula on this page is the one used across Hawaii.

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