Hawaii's oldest non-profit law firm providing free civil legal aid to low-income individuals since 1950, with statewide offices and phone intake.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
Legal Aid Society of Hawaii has been serving Hawaii's communities for over 75 years as the state's oldest and largest non-profit public interest law firm. Founded in 1950, the organization operates multiple offices statewide and serves as a critical resource for vulnerable populations unable to afford private legal counsel. The organization explicitly does not charge clients for legal services, making it a true no-cost option for qualifying individuals.
The organization offers free civil legal assistance across multiple practice areas including housing law, elder law, immigrant justice services, and consumer law. They provide intake services via phone (Monday-Friday, 9am-11:30am and 1pm-3:30pm) at 808-536-4302 for Oahu and 1-800-499-4302 for neighbor islands. Services include online intake, legal navigation resources, court forms, information videos, fair housing guidance, and specialized support for COFA (Compact of Free Association) migrants. They do not handle criminal matters or personal injury cases.
The Wailuku Branch serves Maui County as part of their statewide network. Legal Aid maintains the Hawai'i Immigrant Justice Center as a dedicated program and provides disaster legal assistance during emergencies. They demonstrate commitment to accessibility through accommodations for disabilities and scheduling in-office meetings with current clients, though physical office spaces are not currently open for walk-in intake.
As a federally-funded organization, Legal Aid maintains non-discrimination policies and accepts complaints about service denial or quality issues. The organization is best suited for low-income residents of Hawaii who need civil legal help but cannot afford private attorneys. The primary limitation is that they do not assist with criminal or personal injury matters, and eligibility is based on income level, making them unsuitable for higher-income individuals regardless of their legal needs.
Yes. Legal Aid Society Of Hawaii - Wailuku Branch is a registered company headquartered in Wailuku, 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's Wailuku Branch is ideal for low-income Hawaii residents needing non-criminal civil legal assistance, particularly with housing, immigration, or elder law matters. The critical caveat is that eligibility requires meeting income thresholds and they explicitly exclude criminal and personal injury cases, so applicants must verify both their income qualification and that their legal issue falls within their service scope.
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