Dr Kennedy was selected by my ex-wife and appointed by the the judge to be our Custody Evaluator. I am so lucky and blessed that she was chosen. Dr. Kennedy is extremely well qualified and experienced and very thorough and detailed with her work. She is also very kind and easy to work with and I felt she really cared about my child and his well being. There was no perceived biases or favoritism which I appreciated. Going into this custody battle, I was worried that the court would favor the mother and that my ex would lie through her teeth to win the case. ( she already made up lies in her motion). My attorney warned me that it would be difficult to win but I had to try for my child's sake. Dr. Kennedy was able to see through the lies and facade of my ex and produce a very accurate report that was backed with detail and documentation that became irrefutable in court. Her report and testimony was paramount to me winning the case. Although her fee was higher than other CEs, in the end Dr. Kennedy was worth every penny, and not just for her professionalism and critical report but because I felt she truly understood what it was like for me to have to deal with and endure an ex with mental disorders. This case was not about me vs. my ex and was all about my child's safety and well being and Dr. Kennedy made sure of that. I do not wish divorce and/or a custody battle on anyone. They are brutal. However, if you go down that path and need a a CE, I would highly recommend her services. I don't say this just because I won but because she is that good. I'm sure my ex will beg to differ but that would be just sour grapes. read more

Her report was filled with misinformation, clear biases, and even had wrong names! Do not recommend her at all.

Dr Kennedy is smart, intuitive and so kind. She was a life line and a huge support in my child custody case. She was wise enough to see the truth through all the deceit. I felt SO SEEN and understood in the midst of such chaos. She is revered and respected in her field and I know that her testimony in court was crucial in the positive outcome of 50/50 custody time sharing. I always recommend her to everyone going through custody disagreements. Thank you Dr Kennedy!! read more

Dr. Kennedy is the greatest person I've ever met. She is helpful with literally everything that I've asked. I've got lots of help from her! She is the best professional custody evaluator in Hawaii! You don't need to worry about safety issues because she doesn't work outside of her place and won't bother your personal life. The 1 start comment is a fake+missions+hate speech comment so just ignore that. read more

She was hired as a custody evaluate person. She charged ridiculous amount of money to do that job then used that position to power harassed me and made me drive her to go shopping. She even entered in my house when I wasn't there .( When I went to upstair she was sitting on my couch. ) I couldn't complain because I was scared to loose my son. She went out dinners to all the high end restaurants with my son's dad also drinking alcohol beverages with him (my friends have seen and even she admitted) She acted as a MD and told me my son has bipolar ( All his Drs told me his mood changes are his epilepsy medication side affects) She came to the court and lied and told the judge, the father should have the custody. Fortunately there was a witness who has seen the father abused my son and the judge could see the lies he didn't get the custody. I can't believe a person like her continues to use her position to profits. My son is traumatized and has a sleeping problem by her saying he will be found dead sleeping one day by having seizures. I am writing this hoping to save children who end up to a wrong parents who paid her and being abused because her greed. Very sad read more

Dr. Reneau Kennedy is the most professional and kind psychologist I've never met. She is the best psychologist in Hawaii if you're looking for custody evaluator! I'll rate 100 stars for her if I can!!! read more

Several years ago, on the Big Island, I endured a long and painful divorce. The court appointed Dr. Kennedy as our Child Custody Evaluator. My wife had made outrageous claims and I was initially subject to a restraining order. I was not a happy man. And as an attorney and former judge I was skeptical about the process and the parties running it. I am afraid I brought this attitude to Dr. Kennedy's living room for our first interview. My wife's Petition and my Answer had nothing in common. Dr. Kennedy listened intently, gently asking questions, trying to sift for truth. She described her role and how she did it. She made it clear that neither I nor my wife was her client. Her primary concern was the best interest of my children, consistent with fairness to the parties. At the end of an hour she offered to recuse herself and ask the Court to appoint someone else. I told her not to do that. When she asked what changed my mind I told her: "I trust you." I was right then and for the next five years until final orders. I watched as she engaged my children at our home inspection, as she thoughtfully, quietly, began to understand my six and eight year olds. I am trying to be lucid and clinical as I write but it has become difficult. My ex picked a lawyer much like herself. At different times he lied, tried to get Dr. Kennedy dismissed, even threatened her. Dr. Kennedy made her evaluations, wrote her reports, stayed strong, stayed with the case, protected my children. After my wife kidnapped the children I filed a Hague Convention proceeding in England. When she was arrested and brought before the High Court of Justice, Family Division, London, Dr. Kennedy continued to help. She sent her prior evaluations. She helped the English Court select an expert in Hawaiian family law to assist it. On my wife's return under arrest to Hawaii I leaned on her regarding prosecuting. As always, her advice was in the best interest of my children. You do not have enough stars in your survey to do justice to Dr. Kennedy, her talent, her compassion, her wisdom, courage, and her fundamental kindness. read more

In February of 2019, my daughter's mother attempted to cut me entirely out of my daughter's life by making a false claim that I had attacked her and my daughter at the elementary campus my daughter attended. She was already awarded full custody in a 2014 court proceeding based on distortions of child and domestic abuse. The court at least had awarded me visitations with my daughter but sadly left those visits at her mother's discretion. As to be expected, my daughter's mother would withhold visits whenever she felt like it without any reason or explanation. In 2018 I received no contact with my daughter from July until January 2019 without any reason or explanation. Due to this, I began visiting my daughter at her school campus to see her for the brief few minutes that she would walk with her mother from the campus to her mother's vehicle. Because she could not control my visits to the school, she concocted the elaborate story of me attacking her and my daughter so viciously that my daughter urinated herself in fear. Armed with this false narrative, my daughter's mother attempted to obtain a 10 year TRO against me. Unbeknownst, to my daughter's mother, because past distortions and accusations she made against me I would always record every interaction between the two of us, and the day of this alleged attack was no exception. In the TRO court proceedings I provided evidence that exonerated me of her false accusations, and reinstated my visitations with my daughter. My attorney also asked the Judge to amend the custody ruling and provide me with split custody. Unfortunately, regardless of all the evidence provided to support my claim of my ex's mental and emotional instability and her blatant lack of truthfulness, the Judge claimed that she did not to be responsible for making such an important decision and suggested the use of a custody evaluator. Eventually resulting in Dr. Kennedy being assigned to the case. The custody evaluation began approximately in late Fall 2019. When I attended my first interview I thought that the process would be just as swift as the CE I went through in 2013 which consisted on a 1 hour interview and 15 minute home visit. Thankfully, that was not the case this time around. Not only did Dr. Kennedy discuss information regarding what had led up to this current allegation of abuse. She also implored for information regarding the initial 2013 custody proceedings and the relationship between myself, my daughter and her mother prior to that hearing. Doctor Kennedy conducted her interviews with professionalism and without bias. In the past whether it was in the courtroom or during the original CE, I felt as if I was not being listened to. In other situations I felt as if my refutation of the accusations were ignored because of the heinous nature of the allegations and the fact that my daughter's mother is a white woman and I am a Black male. However, Dr. Kennedy was very competent, diligent and thorough with her methods. Her process included multiple in person interviews with not only myself and my daughter's mother, she also interviewed multiple people on both sides that were familiar with the situation. She also conducted home visits that included speaking with my daughter and my wife while watching our family interact in our natural environment. Long story short, I applaud Dr. Kennedy's ability see through intense emotions, false narratives and her ability to still remain professional and non biased. In the Spring of 2021, I received split custody of my daughter for the first time since her mother removed her from my daily routine the day after Christmas 2013. Recently, my wife and I welcomed our new baby boy into the world and I am proud to say that his big sister is a big part of his daily life, which all would not be possible without Dr. Kennedy. read more

Dr Kennedy is kind and a terrific listener. She genuinely cares about others and gives great advice. She is professional and prompt and I felt cared for and listened to. read more

Dr. Kennedy was fair, unbiased, and accurate in her analysis of what was in our children's best interest. I feel it was worth every cent and would bith use her again ans recommend her to others. read more

Dr. Kennedy is very straightforward. She is uncompromising , very professional, and incorruptible. Her credentials and experience are undeniable. Personally, I am indebted to her for her professional kindness, empathy, and understanding. She has been a savior for me and my children. read more

I can't speak highly enough of Dr. Reneau Kennedy as a Custody Evaluator, and would recommend her to anyone going through a contentious custody battle. My ex-husband selected her for our post-divorce custody and relocation trial, and although I was initially concerned with the possibility of bias, Dr. Kennedy put my mind at ease as I watched her approach our case with integrity and professionalism. I trusted that her sincere goal was to equally investigate all evidence provided from both parties and make custody recommendations that were in the best interest of our daughter. She has a plethora of experience, knowledge and education and the extensive CE report she submitted to the court far exceeded the amount of money she was paid for my case. She spoke well during our trial when questioned by counsel on both sides, and she provided evidence to support her testimony. I have read some of the other reviews on this site and am pleased to see that there are as many fathers writing positive reviews for Dr. Kennedy as there are mothers. This only confirms that she's committed to the best interest of the children and not to one gender or the other. I am thankful and feel blessed that my ex-husband selected her and the Family Court appointed her to my custody case. Jessica M. read more

Divorce can be an ugly process. Dr. Kennedy services provided light to a dark situation by being professional, supportive to young members of the family, and transparent. Her evaluation was thorough, objective and comprehensive. Her methodology highlighed areas of concern that the court needed to be aware of. Due to the strenght of the report, the other party was forced to settle, the report strenght was to overpowering. Dr. Kennedy's report reflected the facts and extinguished all the false claims provided by the other party. In essence the report flushed out all the facts and this is what I needed because prior to this, the court was blinded by false claims and a skilled opposing lawyer. Dr. Kennedy helped us to come out of a very dark episode in the history of my family. A nightmare situation ended and I am glad I crossed paths with an angel who's diligent work and dedication put things back in balance and exposed lies and false claims that the court needed to see. Thank you Dr. Kennedy, my children have thrived as a result of your work and dedication to making things "pono" [e.g. righteousness]. read more

Reneau C Kennedy, Ed.D. - Psychologists Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Dr Kennedy was assigned as the Custody Evaluator in my divorce. Dr Kennedy is very thorough and detail oriented. She is very personable which is very important for children to open up and talk about things which are very difficult to talk about. I was very impressed with her confidential report, she really listened, communicated and interpreted well with those character witnesses that were provided to her. I would not hesitate to refer her to anyone. She is really exceptional at what she does. read more

As a former client, and a male victim of domestic violence by a female my former wife, a topic that is ignored by the courts and the media....and yes we all know its mostly the other way around, however my injuries have permanently handicapped me and ended my military career... my story is also about how my wife and her attorney Michele Glenn tried to portray my wife as the abused woman the actual victim, but the truth although not what the media wants to hear was shocking, wife was arrested for domestic violence after assaulting me in my sleep, then assaulting me again while I was paralyzed in the hospital and she was forced out of the hospital and later received an order of protection placed on her for my safety....5 years of divorce court followed 72 court appearance, and all throughout i faced male bias by two female judges Madeiros and Hall, it was a mess, i was handicapped and it seemed like nobody believed me despite the obvious. Dr Kennedy rather than succumb to male bias, assesed everything,,she looked into the truth by old fashioned investigation and mental assessments in an unbiased manner...sometimes we all dont get to hear nice things about us or the outcome many may not like,,,but the truth is a matter of fact and concensus of other opinions through interviews of tertiary witnesses,,,thats is what Dr Kennedy was able to assess in my child custody evaluation which ultimately passed the muster with the Hawaii Supreme court finally settling my divorce and awarding father sole custody per Dr Kennedy recommendation...since then ive raised my son now 7 as a single parent, and have forgiven his mother not for her sake but for my own and moved on, im 55 and disabled, and looking forward ...also recommended to all that read this. But i cant say enough about Dr Kennedy investigatory skills psychology skills of insight..as she predicted in the custody evaluation mother is pretty much focused today on other agendas and often misses her visitation days now....its nice to know there are still people that take pride in the work they do whatever it is, Dr Kennedy is one of those people,,,, an example to other aspiring Psychologist to be the best you can and helping others move forward in life.....Larry read more

My husband and I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Kennedy throughout a long and contentious custody battle with my husbands ex-girlfriend. Dr. Kennedy was professional, kind, compassionate, non-biased and very thorough. She was able to identify and highlight the distortions that previous judges and the first CE had not when it came to the testimony and false accusations that my husbands ex-girlfriend was making. Additionally, Dr. Kennedy made our daughter, who for years felt stuck in the middle of the conflict, feel seen and heard. Moreover, Dr. Kennedy kept our daughter's best interests at the forefront of the work she did, always making it about her while still attending to the needs of my husband, I, and his ex. Dr. Kennedy was easy to work with, had great suggestions for navigating conflict and ways to move forward with co-parenting. Dr. Kennedy listened without judgement and made each of us feel safe to share honestly with her about the challenges we were experiencing. I would highly recommend Dr. Kennedy to anyone who is going through a custody dispute, she is fair, just, honest, accepting of all people and has an immense talent for uncovering and highlighting the truth, even when my husband's ex was accusing her of being biased and unfair. Dr. Kennedy is the person responsible for helping us obtain our shared custody arrangement. Our daughter now has all parents involved in her life and she is thriving with us! This is all thanks to Dr. Kennedy for seeing and reporting the truth. We will forever be grateful for Dr. Kennedy and recommend her to anyone needing support during a challenging custody dispute. read more

I was involved with Dr. Reneau Kennedy in a Child Custody case recently. She understands the difficulties and subtle nuances of families involved in this type of arduous litigation. I appreciated her honesty and experience in the handling of my case, she doesn't "sugar coat" what needs to happen for the children to be protected and supported. Dr. Kennedy continuously reminded both me and the Father that the Courts are interested in what is the best interest of the children -- and yes, parents can get bogged down in selfish intentions. Thank you for your work and grounding, Dr. Kennedy. It has helped my family immensely with moving forward in our lives. read more