Hawaii's oldest non-profit law firm providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals since 1950, with statewide offices and phone intake services.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii was founded in 1950 and has grown to become the state's oldest and largest non-profit public interest law firm. Operating with offices across all Hawaiian islands, the organization serves as a critical resource for vulnerable populations unable to afford private legal counsel. The organization is a recipient of federal funding and operates under strict non-discrimination policies.
Legal Aid provides free civil legal assistance exclusively to low-income individuals and does not charge clients for legal services. Their current service areas include housing and landlord-tenant matters, elder law services, support for COFA (Compact of Free Association) migrants, and disaster legal assistance. They operate an online intake system and Legal Navigator resource portal, maintain self-help centers, and offer phone-based intake during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-11:30 AM and 1:00 PM-3:30 PM). They do not handle criminal matters or personal injury cases.
What distinguishes Legal Aid is their deep specialization in civil law for underserved populations and their explicit commitment to equity. They operate the Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center and have recently mobilized disaster assistance following events like the Maui fires. The organization provides accessible intake through multiple channels (phone, online, scheduled in-person) and maintains practical resources like court forms, brochures, and informational videos. Their staff includes managing attorneys with specialized expertise in areas like housing law and consumer issues.
The primary limitation is scope: Legal Aid explicitly does not assist with criminal defense or personal injury claims, requiring those clients to seek private attorneys. While intake hours are substantial, physical office spaces are not currently open for walk-in services, requiring clients to use phone or online intake. As a non-profit dependent on federal and charitable funding, service availability may be subject to budget constraints, and they likely experience high demand relative to capacity.
Yes. Legal Aid Society Of Hawaii is a registered company headquartered in Honolulu, HI. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Counseling available within 1-2 weeks of contact.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is essential for low-income Hawaiians needing civil legal help—particularly for housing, elder law, and immigrant issues—with truly free services and strong statewide reach. The critical caveat: they do not handle criminal or personal injury cases, and intake requires advance phone/online contact rather than walk-in access; eligibility is income-based and service capacity may be limited by demand.
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