Legal Aid Society Of Hawaii - Kaneohe Branch logo

Legal Aid Society Of Hawaii - Kaneohe Branch

3.8/5

Hawaii's largest non-profit law firm providing free civil legal aid to low-income individuals since 1950, with statewide offices and phone intake services.

Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks

Free to Use BBB: NR Free Consultation Visit Website

Legal Aid Society Of Hawaii - Kaneohe Branch Review

The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is the state's oldest and largest non-profit public interest law firm, established in 1950 to help ensure justice and fairness for vulnerable populations. Operating statewide with multiple offices including a Kaneohe branch, the organization provides completely free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals who cannot afford private attorneys. The organization is federally funded and has expanded services to include specialized support for immigrant populations through the Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center. Phone intake services are available Monday-Friday from 9:00 am-11:30 am and 1:00 pm-3:30 pm, with separate numbers for Oahu (808-536-4302) and neighbor islands (1-800-499-4302). What distinguishes Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is its comprehensive civil legal focus combined with specialized programs addressing disaster relief, housing/landlord-tenant issues, elder law, and immigrant justice. The organization explicitly does not handle criminal or personal injury matters, directing those cases to private attorneys. Their Legal Navigator tool provides self-help resources including brochures, court forms, and information videos. The society also offers online intake and can accommodate clients with disabilities or limitations through scheduled office meetings. The organization maintains strict non-discrimination policies and provides multiple avenues for clients to file grievances regarding service quality. This is genuinely free legal assistance with no client fees—a critical resource for Hawaii's most economically vulnerable residents who face civil legal barriers to housing stability, family matters, and access to public benefits.

Services & Features

Free civil legal aid and representation for low-income individuals
Phone intake and legal consultation services
Housing and landlord-tenant law assistance
Disaster legal assistance and emergency relief support
Elder law services
Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center services for immigrant populations
Legal Navigator self-help resource tool with court forms and information videos
Specialized support for COFA migrants accessing restored public benefits
SNAP replacement benefits application assistance
Fair housing and housing discrimination legal guidance
Online intake application process
Accommodations for clients with disabilities and disabilities-related scheduling

Feature Checklist

Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Completely free legal services with no client fees for eligible low-income individuals
  • Statewide presence across multiple offices including rural Kaneohe branch serving neighbor islands
  • Specialized Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center providing targeted immigration-related legal assistance
  • Extended phone intake hours (9am-11:30am and 1pm-3:30pm weekdays) with toll-free neighbor island access
  • Comprehensive self-help resources including Legal Navigator tool with court forms and educational videos
  • Established since 1950 with deep community expertise and track record as Hawaii's oldest non-profit law firm
  • Accessibility accommodations for clients with disabilities and scheduled office meetings with current clients

Cons

  • Physical office spaces not open to walk-in intake; phone intake only during limited business hours
  • Does not handle criminal defense or personal injury cases, limiting scope for certain legal needs
  • As a non-profit dependent on federal funding, may have capacity limitations affecting wait times for new clients
  • Limited online presence for case status updates or client communication beyond initial intake
  • Website content does not specify income eligibility thresholds or detailed service availability timelines

Rating Breakdown

Value
4.5
Effectiveness
3.5
Customer Service
3.8
Transparency
4.0
Ease of Use
3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Legal Aid Society Of Hawaii - Kaneohe Branch legitimate?

Yes. Legal Aid Society Of Hawaii - Kaneohe Branch is a registered company headquartered in Kaneohe, HI. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.

How long does Legal Aid Society Of Hawaii - Kaneohe Branch take to show results?

Counseling available within 1-2 weeks of contact.

Quick Facts

Headquarters
Kaneohe, HI
BBB Rating
NR
BBB Accredited
No
Certifications
HUD-Approved
Starting Price
Free to Use
Setup Fee
None
Free Consultation
Yes
Money-Back Guarantee
No
Visit Legal Aid Society Of Hawaii - Kaneohe Branch

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on Legal Aid Society Of Hawaii - Kaneohe Branch

Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is essential for low-income Hawaii residents needing free civil legal help with housing, family, immigration, or elder law matters. The main caveat is that intake is phone-only during business hours (not walk-in) and they explicitly do not handle criminal defense or personal injury cases—those require private attorneys.

Best For

  • Low-income Hawaii residents facing housing/eviction issues or landlord-tenant disputes
  • COFA migrants (citizens of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau) navigating public benefits and immigration matters
  • Elderly individuals needing civil legal assistance through their elder law services
  • Disaster-affected individuals seeking emergency legal aid following weather events or natural disasters
Updated 2026-03-21

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