Hānai

Hānai is a traditional Hawaiian practice of informal adoption or nurturing, where family and friends take on the responsibility of caring for a child outside of formal legal processes. It emphasizes extended family involvement and community support, fostering strong cultural and emotional bonds. The practice promotes the child's well-being within a network of trusted caregivers, reflecting Hawaii's values of shared responsibility and interconnectedness. While similar to adoption, hānai often remains flexible and culturally rooted, emphasizing love, guidance, and continuity within the extended family and community.