H.B. 2116, 27th Leg. Sess. (Haw. 2014) (amending Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 706-656(1), -657).
Hawaii eliminated life-without-parole sentences for juveniles with legislation enacted in 2014. The statute provides that individuals under 18 convicted of first-degree murder or first-degree attempted murder shall be sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. Following sentencing, the parole board puts in place a rehabilitation plan and sets the parole eligibility date after an initial hearing with the prisoner. Previously, life without parole was mandatory for juveniles convicted of these offenses. Under existing Hawaii law, once individuals become eligible for parole, they are entitled to review every 12 months.