§551-35 Natural guardian of person alleged to be incapacitated or in need of protective proceedings. The father and mother of an incapacitated or protected person are jointly and severally the natural guardians of his person and property. They shall have equal powers and duties with respect to him and neither shall have any right superior to that of the other concerning his custody or control or any other matter affecting him; provided that if either parent dies or abandons the family or is incapable for any reason to act as guardian, the guardianship devolves upon the other parent, and that when the parents live apart, the court may award the guardianship to either of them, having special regard to the interests of the incompetent adult person. [L 1957, c 173, §1; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §20; Supp, §338-9.5; HRS §551-35; am L 1976, c 200, pt of §1]