Hawaii Pro Se Help: Free Court Self-Help Centers and Legal Aid by County
If you are handling a divorce, custody, support or protective order case in Hawaii on your own, start with the free help that already exists. This page lists, for each of the 5 counties, the court's self-help program and the free legal aid office that serves it, with phone numbers and websites.
Statewide: Hawaii Judiciary Self-Help Resources. Statewide hub connecting people without a lawyer to court self-help forms, information, and Access to Justice Rooms.
Hawaii County: court help from Hale Kaulike Access to Justice Room, phone (808) 909-2845. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, phone (800) 499-4302. Covers Ainaloa, Black Sands, Captain Cook, Discovery Harbour, Eden Roc, and Fern Acres.
Honolulu County: court help from Kapolei Family Court Access to Justice Room, phone (808) 954-8290. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, phone (800) 499-4302. Covers Ahuimanu, Aiea, East Honolulu, East Kapolei, Ewa Beach, and Ewa Gentry.
Kauai County: court help from Puuhonua Kaulike Access to Justice Room, phone (808) 909-2836. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, phone (800) 499-4302. Covers Anahola, Eleele, Haena, Hanalei, Hanamaulu, and Hanapepe.
Maui County: court help from Hoapili Hale Access to Justice Room, phone (808) 909-2841. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, phone (800) 499-4302. Covers Haiku-Pauwela, Haliimaile, Hana, Kaanapali, Kahului, and Kapalua.
Kalawao County: court help from Hawaii Judiciary Self-Help Resources. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, phone (800) 499-4302.
Where can I get free help with a family court case in Hawaii without a lawyer? Start with Hawaii Judiciary Self-Help Resources, run by Hawaii State Judiciary. 4 of 5 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Legal Aid Society of Hawaii if you qualify by income.
Does every Hawaii county have its own self-help center? No. 4 of 5 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Hawaii Judiciary Self-Help Resources, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Hawaii.
Who gives free legal aid in Hawaii? Hawaii is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. Each one serves set counties, so check the listing for your county. Help is free for people who qualify, usually by income.
What is a court self-help center? It is a free help desk run by or for the court for people handling their own case without a lawyer. Staff can explain which forms you need, how to fill them out, how filing and service work, and what happens next. They are not your lawyer, so they cannot tell you what to ask for or how to argue your case.
What is the difference between a self-help center and legal aid? A self-help center helps anyone who walks in or calls, whatever their income, with forms and court steps. A legal aid office is a nonprofit law office that can give free legal advice and sometimes a free lawyer, but only to people who qualify, usually by income. Many parents use both.
What should I have ready before I call? Your county, your case number if you have one, the names of both parents and the children, any papers you were served, and any deadline or hearing date. Write down the date you called, who you spoke to, and what they told you.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free help with a family court case in Hawaii without a lawyer?
Start with Hawaii Judiciary Self-Help Resources, run by Hawaii State Judiciary. 4 of 5 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Legal Aid Society of Hawaii if you qualify by income.
Does every Hawaii county have its own self-help center?
No. 4 of 5 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Hawaii Judiciary Self-Help Resources, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Hawaii.
Who gives free legal aid in Hawaii?
Hawaii is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. Each one serves set counties, so check the listing for your county. Help is free for people who qualify, usually by income.
What is a court self-help center?
It is a free help desk run by or for the court for people handling their own case without a lawyer. Staff can explain which forms you need, how to fill them out, how filing and service work, and what happens next. They are not your lawyer, so they cannot tell you what to ask for or how to argue your case.
What is the difference between a self-help center and legal aid?
A self-help center helps anyone who walks in or calls, whatever their income, with forms and court steps. A legal aid office is a nonprofit law office that can give free legal advice and sometimes a free lawyer, but only to people who qualify, usually by income. Many parents use both.
What should I have ready before I call?
Your county, your case number if you have one, the names of both parents and the children, any papers you were served, and any deadline or hearing date. Write down the date you called, who you spoke to, and what they told you.