Short answer. 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before an oath officer such as a notary. Handwritten wills: yes.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- Two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or the acknowledgment.
"Signed by at least two individuals"
- Beneficiary as witness
- A will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it.
"The signing of a will by an interested witness does not invalidate the will or any provision of it"
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed at signing or any time later. The testator and witnesses sign before an officer authorized to administer oaths, under official seal.
"An attested will may be made self-proved at any time after its execution"
- Handwritten wills
- Recognized if the signature and material parts are in the testator's handwriting. No witnesses needed.
- Electronic wills
- Not authorized, per Nolo's Hawaii page; the will has to be on paper. For a self-proving will, Nolo describes the testator and witnesses going to a notary to sign the affidavit.
"Hawaii currently doesn't allow e-wills"
- Minimum age
- 18 or older, of sound mind.
"An individual eighteen or more years of age who is of sound mind may make a will."
Worth knowing
After the testator dies, whoever holds the original will must, when an interested person asks, promptly hand it to someone able to seek probate or file it with the court. A person who deliberately fails to do so is liable for the losses caused, which the court may triple, and refusing a court order to produce it is contempt (HRS 560:2-516, Justia statute text).
Signing day here
- Witnesses to bring: Bring 2 witnesses.
- Notary and the self-proving affidavit: Have a notary or another officer who can administer oaths there for the self-proving affidavit. The statute names that officer rather than notaries by name.
The full list, with ID and who shouldn't witness: signing-day checklist for Hawaii.
MCC Solutions provides notaries and witnesses for signings in New Jersey (estate planning signings, the estate planning signing package, witness services). Elsewhere, a local notary can help with the self-proving affidavit.
Not confirmed on the pages we read: remote witnessing.
Sources
- HRS 560:2-502, Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills (Hawaii Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- HRS 560:2-501, Who may make will (Hawaii State Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- HRS 560:2-504, Self-proved will (Hawaii State Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- HRS 560:2-505, Who may witness (Hawaii State Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Hawaii (Nolo) (checked November 2026)
- Justia (statute text) (secondary source): HRS 560:2-516, Duty of custodian of will; liability (2020 Hawaii Revised Statutes, Justia statute text) (checked November 2026)
Sourced from official pages; a few facts from vetted secondary sources, marked "(secondary source)".
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Have a lawyer prepare or review your will. Checked November 2026 against the official pages listed above. Rules change, and how a rule applies to one will is a question for a lawyer licensed in the state. A notary can't give legal advice or draft a will.
Common questions
How many witnesses does a will need in Hawaii?
2. Two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or the acknowledgment.
Does a will need a notary in Hawaii?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed at signing or any time later. The testator and witnesses sign before an officer authorized to administer oaths, under official seal.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Hawaii?
A will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it. The statute: "The signing of a will by an interested witness does not invalidate the will or any provision of it."
Is a handwritten will valid in Hawaii?
Recognized if the signature and material parts are in the testator's handwriting. No witnesses needed.
Are electronic wills allowed in Hawaii?
Not authorized, per Nolo's Hawaii page; the will has to be on paper. For a self-proving will, Nolo describes the testator and witnesses going to a notary to sign the affidavit.
How old do you have to be to make a will in Hawaii?
18 or older, of sound mind.
All states: will witness requirements by state · Georgia · Idaho