Commission on Fatherhood

The Mission
The mission of the Hawaii State Commission on Fatherhood (COF) is to promote healthy family relationships by emphasizing the important role fathers play in the lives of their children. The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to state agencies and makes recommendations on programs, services, contracts, policies, and laws relating to children and families.

About the Commission on Fatherhood
An increasing body of evidence indicates that children are more likely to thrive with the support, guidance, and nurturing of both parents. Yet, many children across the country are growing up without fathers. As a result, they may lack appropriate male role models and face greater risks of health, emotional, educational, and behavioral problems during their developmental years.

Motivated by a renewed understanding of a father’s vital role in family and community life, the 2003 Hawaii State Legislature established the Commission on Fatherhood through Act 156; in June 2007, Hawaii Act 190 made it permanent.

Click here for the listing of current Commissioners.

The commissioners operate independently, but the commission is administratively attached to the Department of Human Services.

The State of Fathers in the State of Hawaii (2015) – A collaboration between the Commission on Fatherhood and the UH Center on the Family, the study provides a snapshot of the state of fathers across Hawaii. The study also identifies the number, characteristics, and geographical distribution of fathers, and highlights differences and similarities between Hawaii and mainland populations.

The State of Fatherhood Programs in the State of Hawaii (2019)– This report is the product of a second collaboration between Professor Selva Lewin- Bizan from the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa and the Hawaii State Commission on Fatherhood. This report assesses the availability of programs aimed at supporting the population of fathers throughout the state. The report summarizes information collected during 2016 and 2017 from individuals working in 32 organizations that report offering social services, with the purpose of outlining information on existing fatherhood programs.

Breaking News for 2024:

The Commission will soon be releasing applications for the following 2024 awards:

  • Fatherhood Event / Program Scholarship Award
  • Aloha Father of the Year
  • Parent-Friendly Business Award

For more information, email Chairperson Jeff Esmond at
[email protected].

Fatherhood Commission Brochure

National Fatherhood Initiative

Hawaii and National Fatherhood Resources

Do you have any questions about the Fatherhood Commission?

Email the Chairperson: Jeff Esmond at: [email protected]

Want to Serve as a member of the Fatherhood Commission?

The Commission on Fatherhood regularly recruits individuals to serve and to vote on issues. To learn how you can help fulfill the Commission’s mission, call the Governor’s Office of Boards & Commissions at (808) 586-0034 or send and email to [email protected]. Visit the Governor’s Office of Boards & Commissions website at https://boards.hawaii.gov

Commission Meetings
COF monthly public meetings are held on the 3rd Friday of each month at 10am.  Meetings are currently being held in person and on Zoom.  Please register with ehawaii.gov and check the calendar for more information and meeting updates.

Click here to register for the COF meetings and for more information.

Minutes for some meetings have not yet been transcribed.  Temporary links to the videos of the meetings are provided below.

2023 Meetings

December 15, 2023 (MinutesFiscal Year 2023-2024 Approved Budget
November 17, 2023 (Minutes)
October 20, 2023 (Minutes)
May 19, 2023 (Minutes)
April 21, 2023 (Minutes)
February 24, 2023 (Minutes)

2022 Meetings
November 18, 2022 (Minutes)
October 21, 2022 (Minutes)
August 22, 2022 (Minutes)
April 22, 2022 (Minutes)
February 25, 2022 (Minutes)

2021 Meetings
October 15, 2021 (Minutes)
August 27, 2021 (Minutes)
July 16, 2021 (Minutes)
May 21, 2021 (Minutes)
May 12, 2021 (Minutes)
April 16, 2021 (Minutes)
March 19, 2021 (Minutes)
March 10, 2021 (Minutes)
February 26, 2021 (Agenda) (Minutes)
February 17, 2021 (Minutes)
January 22, 2021 (Minutes)

2020 Meetings
December 18, 2020 (Agenda) Attachment  (Minutes)
November 20, 2020 (Minutes)
October 16, 2020 (Minutes)
March 6, 2020 (Agenda)
January 24, 2020 (Minutes)

2019 Meetings
December 13, 2019 (Agenda)
June 24,, 2019 (Agenda)
May 24, 2019 (Agenda) (Minutes)
April 26, 2019 (Agenda)
March 15, 2019 (Agenda) (Minutes)
February 24, 2019 (Agenda)
January 18, 2019 (Agenda) (Minutes)

2018 Meetings
December 4, 2018 (Minutes)
August 31, 2018 (Minutes)
July 18, 2018 (Minutes)
June 29, 2018 (Minutes)
May 25, 2018 (Minutes)
April 20, 2018 (Minutes)
March 16, 2018 (Minutes)
February 9, 2018 (Minutes)

2017 Meeting Agendas
October 17, 2017
September 26, 2017
June 30, 2017
May 16, 2017
April 18, 2017
March 21, 2017
February 16, 2017
January 17, 2017

2017 Meeting Minutes
November 17, 2017 (Minutes)
September 26, 2017
June 30, 2017
May 16, 2017
April 18, 2017
March 21, 2017

2016 Meeting Agendas
November 22, 2016
October 25, 2016
September 27, 2016
September 13, 2016
August 30, 2016
May 17, 2016
April 15, 2016
Feb. 18, 2016
Jan. 19, 2016

2016 Meeting Minutes
Jul. 12, 2016
Mar. 15, 2016
Feb. 18, 2016
Jan. 19, 2016

2015 Meeting Agendas
Dec. 15, 2015
Nov. 17, 2015
October 20, 2015
September 15, 2015
August 25, 2015
June 2, 2015
May 19, 2015
April 1, 2015 – Special Meeting
March 17, 2015
Feb. 17,2015
Jan. 20,2015

2015 Meeting Minutes
Nov. 17, 2015
Oct. 20, 2015
June 16, 2015
May 19, 2015
April 21, 2015
March 27, 2015
Feb. 17, 2015
2013 & 2014 Archives

Funding
The Commission on Fatherhood receives both State and private funds. HRS § 577E-7 provides that: “The commission shall administer funds appropriated or allocated for its work and shall be authorized to accept, disburse, and allocate funds that may become available from other governmental and private sources; provided that all such funds shall be disbursed or allocated in compliance with any specific designation stated by the donor and, in the absence of any specific designation, the funds shall be disbursed or allocated on projects related to any of the purposes of this chapter.”