Hawaii's oldest non-profit law firm providing free civil legal aid to low-income individuals statewide since 1950, with specialized services for housing, immigrants, and vulnerable populations.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is the state's oldest and largest public interest law firm, established in 1950 to ensure justice and fairness for all residents. As a statewide non-profit organization, it operates multiple offices across Oahu and the neighbor islands, serving as a critical resource for low-income Hawaiians who cannot afford private legal representation. The organization has evolved to meet changing community needs, recently launching the Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center and expanding disaster legal assistance programs following major weather events.
The organization offers comprehensive civil legal services including housing and landlord-tenant assistance, elder law services, disaster relief legal aid, and specialized support for COFA migrants (citizens of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau). They provide intake services via phone during business hours (9 AM-11:30 AM and 1 PM-3:30 PM, Monday-Friday) and have transitioned to remote intake due to COVID-19 protocols. Services include online intake forms, a Legal Navigator resource center with court forms and information videos, fair housing consultations, and assistance with public benefits applications including SNAP and housing assistance programs.
What distinguishes Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is its 75-year institutional commitment to the state's most vulnerable populations and its comprehensive statewide coverage through multiple office locations. The organization explicitly addresses specialized needs including immigrant justice, elder law, and disaster relief—areas where private attorneys often cannot serve low-income clients. Their recent focus on federal benefits restoration for COFA migrants demonstrates responsiveness to emerging community crises and policy changes.
The primary limitation is that Legal Aid explicitly does not assist with criminal matters or personal injury cases, restricting its scope to civil legal issues. While their phone intake system is accessible, the closure of physical office spaces to walk-ins may create barriers for individuals without stable phone access. As a non-profit dependent on federal funding and donations, service capacity may be limited during high-demand periods, though the organization has demonstrated commitment to expanding services during crises.
Yes. Legal Aid Society Of Hawaii - Waianae Branch is a registered company headquartered in Waianae, 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 unable to afford private attorneys, particularly renters, immigrants, seniors, and disaster victims needing civil legal assistance. The primary caveat is that they explicitly exclude criminal and personal injury cases, and service capacity as a non-profit may face constraints during high-demand periods.
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