Honolulu Couple Finalized Adoption Journey
Greg Harris and Randy Minas recently celebrated the first birthday of their daughter, Kody, after a multi-year adoption process.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Child Care
Honolulu residents Greg Harris and Randy Minas successfully adopted a child named Kody following a journey that began in 2022. The family recently celebrated the first birthday of their daughter after completing the legal and procedural adoption process.
Why it matters
The couple's experience highlights the rigorous requirements of private adoption, which included extensive background checks and home safety inspections. Their story underscores the legal landscape for same-sex couples navigating state-specific adoption regulations in the United States.
The total cost for the adoption process reached approximately $50,000 for the Honolulu-based couple. Currently, 16 states permit adoption agencies to decline services to couples based on religious beliefs.
The players
Greg Harris
He is a Honolulu resident who underwent a multi-year process to adopt his daughter.
Randy Minas
He is a partner of Greg Harris and co-parent to their adopted daughter Kody.
Kody
She is a child who was adopted in San Francisco and recently celebrated her first birthday.
The details
After beginning their search in 2022, Harris and Minas worked with an agency licensed in Hawaii and California to complete required child-rearing seminars and background checks. The process involved a trip to San Francisco to meet Kody, who required time in the NICU following her birth before joining her parents in Honolulu.
Timeline
2016: Same-sex adoption became legal nationwide in the U.S.
2022: Harris and Minas began their adoption journey.
September 2025: The couple received a text regarding potential adoption.
October 2026: The article was published.
Culture Shift
This family's experience follows a pattern set by the 2016 nationwide legalization of same-sex adoption, which established the legal framework for the couple's journey. It highlights how evolving societal norms continue to reshape the realities of family formation in the United States.
For residents in Honolulu considering adoption, the process requires significant financial planning and adherence to rigorous safety standards like pool barriers. Prospective parents should be aware that adoption agency policies can vary significantly depending on the state where the agency is licensed.
The takeaway
Adopting a child involves a complex array of financial, legal, and safety-related requirements that prospective parents must navigate carefully. Families should prepare for extensive background checks and state-specific regulations that can impact the availability of agency services.
Further reading
For more information on the local resources and legal steps for growing your family, visit the Child Care section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hawaiinewsnow.
