A truant is a student who stays away from school without permission or an explanation. Truancy laws are designed to encourage school attendance by creating simple court procedures through which children are held accountable for excessive school absences. The courts focus on the best interest of the child when addressing the truant conduct of a child.

Truant conduct is usually prosecuted or addressed as a civil (noncriminal) matter, and the definition and procedures for dealing with truancy are usually located in a state's statutes—often in the family code or education code.

In Hawaii, truancy laws are established to ensure that children attend school regularly, as education is considered a vital part of a child's development. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 302A, the Department of Education requires children from the age of 6 to 18 to attend either a public or private school unless exempted by law. When a student is habitually truant, the school is responsible for addressing the issue, which may involve notifying parents, counseling, and other interventions. If these measures fail, the case can be referred to the Family Court. The court proceedings focus on the best interest of the child, with the goal of resolving the underlying issues causing truancy. The court may order various remedies, such as supervision or counseling, and parents may also be held accountable for their child's truancy. The approach is generally rehabilitative rather than punitive, aiming to support the child's return to regular school attendance.