New Hawaiʻi law protects child performers’ earnings

Gov. Josh Green signed a new law on Wednesday that requires parents to set aside part of their child’s entertainment income in a trust, a move aimed at preventing financial exploitation of young performers.

HB 874, now Act 173, mandates that at least 15% of a minor’s gross earnings be deposited into a trust account that they can access when they reach adulthood. The measure draws from the example set by California, where the so-called “Coogan Law” has long safeguarded child actors’ earnings.

“Hawai‘i is fortunate to have so much emerging talent making it to the big stage,” Green said. “By signing HB 874 into law, we are committing not only to protecting local talent, but also supporting keiki who are entering and pursuing a career in entertainment by enforcing measures that protect their earnings from misuse. This law could also serve as a model for protecting minors in other fast-growing spaces — like sports and social media.”

The law requires parents or legal guardians to create and maintain the trust fund before a child begins working in the entertainment industry. Employers must deposit the required portion of earnings into the account.

The bill was introduced by state Rep. Mike Lee (House District 50, Kailua, portion of Kāne‘ohe Bay). “Many other states already have similar protections, and I’m pleased that Hawai‘i is taking this important step,” Lee said. “Mahalo to the community advocates who supported this bill.”

Joining Green for the bill signing ceremony was young actress Maia Kealoha, star of Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” live-action film, representing the next generation of Hawai‘i’s entertainment talent.

“Getting to be part of a Disney movie has been a dream come true — but it’s also a job,” Kealoha said. “I’m really happy that Hawai‘i now has a law to help protect kids like me… It means that when we grow up, we’ll have something saved for our future.”

Green also reiterated his support for growing Hawaiʻi’s film industry, saying he plans to veto a separate measure that would allow the state’s film tax credit to expire. He said the $50 million annual cap should be preserved and that he supports expanding incentives for projects that focus on local culture or have cultural significance to Hawai‘i.