A.B. v. J.M.

Summary

The Intermediate Court of Appeals of Hawaiʻi amended its order dismissing J.M.'s appeal for lack of jurisdiction. The court held that no dissolution-of-marriage order had been entered and that the challenged order denying a petition for return of the subject children was not independently appealable.

Holdings

1. The Intermediate Court of Appeals lacked jurisdiction because the Family Court had not entered an order for dissolution of the marriage.
2. The August 11, 2025 order denying the petition for return of the subject children was not independently appealable.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Intermediate Court of Appeals had jurisdiction over an appeal from an order denying a petition for return of the subject children when the Family Court had not entered an order dissolving the marriage.
2. Whether the August 11, 2025 order was independently appealable under the collateral-order or Forgay doctrines or through an interlocutory appeal.

Disposition

dismissed