Help in Hawaii
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 23 places in Hawaii, most of them in Honolulu, Hilo and Wailuku, plus 13 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people leaving homelessness (13) and after prison or jail (11).
AUW 211 Hawaii
Hawaii's only statewide information and referral line, with a database of more than 1,400 agencies and 4,000 programs. Specialists help with shelter, food, rent and utility aid, SNAP prescreening, DV, mental health and legal referrals on every island.
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
The state prison and jail agency. Its Rehabilitation Services and Programs Division runs work furlough programs (Laumaka at OCCC, Maui Furlough, Lifetime Stand at KCCC, Hale Nani at HCCC, YWCA Fernhurst for women) that let eligible people job search, save money and line up housing before release, plus family reunification and parenting programs.
Going Home Hawaii
Hawaii Island reentry nonprofit serving justice-involved men, women and youth since 2004. Its In-Reach and Reintegration program (Second Chance Act funded) offers intensive case management, mentors, housing navigation, job readiness, and links to benefits and treatment, with offices in East and West Hawaii.
Hina Mauka
Fifty-year-old alcohol and drug treatment provider in Kaneohe offering residential, day treatment and outpatient tracks, including a dedicated Offender Program track and the Ke Alaula program for incarcerated women. Pregnant applicants and people who inject drugs get first priority for admission.
Big Island Substance Abuse Council
Hawaii Island's largest substance use treatment agency, with outpatient programs in Hilo (across from the Hilo Library) and Kealakekua, a seven-day non-medical detox called Hulihia Ke Ola, mental health services and smoking cessation. BISAC also delivers parenting programs inside Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Legal Aid Society of Hawaii
Free civil legal help for low-income residents statewide: landlord-tenant and eviction, family law and protective orders, domestic violence, human trafficking, public benefits, and immigration through the Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center. Offices in Honolulu, Hilo, Kona, Wailuku, Lihue, Molokai and Lanai, but no walk-in intake.
HOPE Services Hawaii
Hawaii Island's homeless services agency, running Keolahou men's shelter, Hale Maluhia women's and couples shelter, Kihei Pua family shelter, a kupuna shelter, West Hawaii emergency housing, medical respite, street medicine and eviction prevention. You must register with their team before being admitted to any shelter.
Office of Health Status Monitoring, Vital Records
Where to get a certified Hawaii birth certificate, needed for a state ID, benefits and employment. Order online statewide or visit the Oahu office at City Financial Tower; neighbor island residents go through their District Health Office. Divorce records are no longer held here as of February 2026.
State ID and Driver's License
Oahu's driver licensing centers issue the Hawaii state ID card ($40, valid eight years) by appointment through AlohaQ. Bring originals or certified copies proving legal presence, legal name, date of birth and residential address; a temporary paper ID is issued and the card is mailed in four to five weeks.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Hawaii's food stamp program. Apply online, by mail or by dropping a paper form at a processing center; DHS then schedules an interview. Gross income limit is 130% of poverty (200% under broad-based categorical eligibility), with a $1,989 monthly limit for one person as of October 2026.
Med-QUEST (Hawaii Medicaid)
Hawaii's Medicaid program, called QUEST Integration. Apply through the KOLEA online eligibility portal, then choose a health plan. Covers medical, behavioral health and substance use treatment for low-income adults and children.
National lines that work in Hawaii
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
Start right where you are
Each program has a step-by-step checklist for the first 72 hours, 30 days, and 90 days, so you always know your next step.