Statewide Legal Aid Organizations
- Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (LASH)
- Provides free civil legal services to low-income residents (housing, family law, public benefits, consumer rights).
- Website: legalaidhawaii.org
- Phone: 1-800-499-4302 (Statewide Hotline)
- Regional Offices:
- Oahu: 1-808-536-4302
- Maui: 1-808-244-5553
- Hawaii Island: 1-808-935-7840
- Kauai: 1-808-246-4474
- Hawaii State Bar Association Lawyer Referral & Information Service
- Low-cost consultations with attorneys.
- Website: hsba.org/lris
- Phone: 1-808-537-9140
- Hawaii Disability Rights Center
- Advocacy for individuals with disabilities.
- Website: hawaiidisabilityrights.org
- Phone: 1-800-882-1057
Specialized Legal Assistance
- Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC)
- Legal help for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Website: domesticviolenceactioncenter.org
- Phone: 1-808-531-3771 (Oahu) | 1-800-690-6200 (Neighbor Islands)
- Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (NHLC)
- Legal services for Native Hawaiians (land rights, cultural preservation).
- Website: nhlchi.org
- Phone: 1-808-521-2302
- Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center (HIJC)
- Immigration legal services (DACA, citizenship, asylum).
- Website: hawaiiimmigrantjustice.org
- Phone: 1-808-487-5550
- Legal Clinic at the University of Hawaii Law School
- Free legal services in immigration, environmental law, and Native Hawaiian rights.
- Website: law.hawaii.edu/clinics
Hotlines
- Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-690-6200 (Domestic Violence Action Center).
- Tenant Rights Hotline: 1-808-586-2634 (Hawaii Legal Aid Society).
- Senior Legal Helpline: 1-888-799-8380 (Legal Aid Society of Hawaii for residents 60+).
- Child Welfare Legal Assistance: Contact Hawaii Child Welfare Services: 1-808-586-4992.
Self-Help and Referral Tools
- Hawaii State Judiciary Self-Help Center
- Free forms, guides, and resources for self-representation.
- Website: courts.state.hi.us/self-help
- LawHelp Hawaii
- Legal information and referrals.
- Website: lawhelp.org/hi
- Mediation Center of the Pacific
- Free or low-cost mediation for disputes (family, housing, workplace).
- Website: mediatehawaii.org
- Phone: 1-808-521-6767
Pro Bono Programs
- Hawaii Access to Justice Commission
- Coordinates statewide pro bono efforts.
- Website: justice.hawaii.gov
- Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii (VLSH)
- Free legal clinics and pro bono assistance.
- Website: vlsh.org
- Phone: 1-808-528-7046
Law School Clinics
- University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law Clinics
- Environmental Law Clinic: Environmental and Native Hawaiian rights.
- Family Law Clinic: Divorce, custody, and domestic violence.
- Website: law.hawaii.edu/clinics
Native Hawaiian and Tribal Resources
- Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA)
- Legal resources for Native Hawaiians.
- Website: oha.org
- Phone: 1-808-594-1888
- Native American Rights Fund (NARF)
- National advocacy for Indigenous communities.
- Website: narf.org
Key Notes
- Eligibility: Most programs prioritize low-income residents (under 200% of the federal poverty level).
- Apply Online: Legal Aid Society of Hawaii offers an online intake form: legalaidhawaii.org/get-help.
- Urgent Issues: For emergencies (evictions, domestic violence), contact hotlines or visit courthouse self-help centers.
- Native Hawaiians: Contact NHLC or OHA for culturally specific legal support.