Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Hawaii: Why Adoption Is the Better Choice

Placing Your Baby for Adoption in Hawaii

Adoption gives you more control over your baby's future than surrender under the Safe Haven law in Hawaii.

Helpful Information

How To Give a Baby Up for Adoption in Hawaii: What You Need to Know

I’m Looking for Adoptive Parents in Hawaii

If you’re in a crisis, unsure what to do with your pregnancy or a newborn, you’re not alone.

Many expectant mothers in Hawaii have felt the same way. You may feel overwhelmed, ashamed or scared. But no matter what led you here, you still have options.

This guide explains how Safe Haven laws work in Hawaii and why adoption through an agency offers more support. If you want to talk with someone, you can call 1-800-236-7846 or fill out our contact form.

How Do Safe Haven Baby Boxes Work in Hawaii?

You might wonder if you’ll get in trouble for using a baby box. Safe Haven baby boxes are designed to allow a legal, anonymous way to surrender a newborn. These boxes are installed in designated buildings like hospitals or fire stations.

Here’s how they work:

At a designated safe haven baby box location, the birth mother can open the exterior access door, place her newborn inside the bassinet, close the door and walk away. The door automatically locks to keep the child safe.

As soon as the door is shut, an alarm is activated that notifies on-site emergency personnel that a baby has been placed inside and a second internal alarm is triggered as a backup to ensure no delay in response.

Trained staff responds immediately, retrieve the baby from the box, and provide medical attention. From there, custody is transferred to the state.

It’s important to note that there are no Safe Haven baby boxes in Hawaii. Instead, you’ll need to go to a Safe Haven provider and hand your baby directly to a staff member.

Once you surrender your baby, you give up all rights. You won’t know where your baby goes or who will raise them. If you’re considering this, it’s worth knowing what other options you have.

What Adoption Agencies Can Offer That Safe Haven Law Can’t

If you’re wondering how to legally give up a baby anonymously, Safe Haven laws may seem like the only way. But private adoption agencies can also protect your identity and give you much more.

Through adoption, you get:

Financial support for housing, groceries, medical care and more.
Adoption planning that puts you in control of the process.
The power to choose your baby’s adoptive family.
Free, 24/7 counseling and guidance from licensed professionals.
Open or semi-open adoption options to stay connected.

With Safe Haven, none of that is available. Your baby is typically placed in foster care, and you don’t know what happens next. Adoption helps you create a better path — not just for your child, but for yourself, too.

Learn more about adoption in Hawaii and how to move forward.

Emergency Adoption Options: How Agencies Can Help Right Now

Even if you’ve already given birth or are close to your due date, you still have time to choose adoption. Private agencies can offer immediate support.

Here are a few adoption agencies that can help:

American Adoptions: This national agency has a 24/7 hotline so you can talk to an adoption professional right away. They offer financial support, counseling and help finding the right adoptive family.
Adopt International (Honolulu): This agency provides adoption planning, counseling and post-adoption support.
A Family Tree (Honolulu): This full-service agency supports expectant mothers throughout the process, offering options counseling and financial help.

Understanding Safe Haven Laws in Hawaii: What You Should Know

Safe Haven law in Hawaii protects parents who feel they can’t raise a newborn. Here are the key things you need to know:

A child who is no more than 72 hours old may be relinquished.
You must leave the baby with a Safe Haven provider: a hospital, fire station, police station or emergency services personnel.
You won’t face prosecution for abandonment as long as the baby is unharmed.
The Department of Human Services may look for the baby’s relatives if you provide identifying information or choose foster care placement.

Where Is the Closest Safe Haven Baby Box in Hawaii?

Are you wondering where Safe Haven baby boxes are located?

There are no Safe Haven baby boxes in Hawaii. The closest baby box near you is on the Mainland in Arizona:

Prescott Fire Department Station 71 (Prescott, AZ)

In Hawaii, surrender must happen in person at an approved location.

Understanding the Consequences of Using a Safe Haven Location in Hawaii

When you surrender a newborn at a Safe Haven location, here’s what happens

You forfeit all decision making.
The state makes all future decisions about the child’s care, including who will adopt them.
The child enters the state foster care system.
The child may spend weeks, months or even years in foster care before being placed with a permanent family.
Your child’s file is sealed.
This means you will have no way of knowing who adopted your child, you won’t receive updates on your child and they may never know the story behind why they were placed.

Safe Haven can be helpful in the most urgent circumstances, but it also restricts your future involvement. If you want more for your baby — and for yourself — adoption may be a better path.

You Can Provide a Brighter Future for Your Baby — With the Right Agency

Adoption is better than Safe Haven because it gives your child:

Your child can grow up in a secure, structured home environment filled with consistency, routine and care.

Adoptive parents go through a rigorous process to be approved to adopt. They’ve waited for the opportunity to love and raise a child, and your baby becomes the center of their world.

Your choice can open doors for your child that might otherwise have been closed. They may one day attend college, travel, receive quality medical care and engage in extracurriculars like music, sports and art.

Choosing adoption gives you a voice in what happens next. You’re not just giving your baby a life; you’re giving them a great one.

And with open or semi-open adoption, you can see your baby grow up. You can stay in touch, get updates and even build a relationship.

What is Open Adoption?

How Private Adoption Agencies Keep Your Information Confidential

Confidentiality matters. When you choose private adoption, your identity can remain protected throughout the entire process. You can decide how much information is shared and limit contact.

But unlike Safe Haven, adoption still gives you choices and control. You can choose the adoptive family, receive updates as your baby grows and even build a relationship through open or semi-open adoption.

FAQ About Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Hawaii

What Makes Safe Haven Boxes Safe for Babies?

Safe Haven baby boxes have temperature controls, ventilation and silent alarms that alert staff when a baby is placed inside.

Can You Get Your Baby Back After Safe Haven in Hawaii?

Generally, no. Once a baby is legally surrendered, you usually can’t reclaim custody. If you left identifying info, the state may try to find a relative.

Can Safe Haven Babies Be Adopted?

Possibly. Babies surrendered under Safe Haven are typically placed in foster care and may be adopted through the state. You will not choose the family.

Is There a Safe Haven Law Age Limit in Hawaii?

Yes. The baby must be 72 hours old or younger.

What Does a Safe Haven Box Look Like?

A Safe Haven box typically has a label, opens from the outside and contains a soft bassinet.

What You Do Next Matters — An Agency Can Help

You want your baby to have a beautiful life. That’s possible, and it starts with one decision.

We’re here to walk with you every step of the way.