Pro Bono Lawyers and Attorneys in Hawaii
Where to ask for pro bono legal services or a free attorney in Hawaii, including legal aid programs, who qualifies, and other free or low-cost help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
Where to ask for a free lawyer or attorney
| Pro bono and legal aid programs | Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii, a nonprofit listed by the Hawaii Judiciary, serves the low to moderate income community and offers neighborhood legal clinics and pro bono representation. Apply with its online pre-screen at vlsh.org, call 808-528-7046 (Oahu), 808-313-8210 (Hawaii Island), 808-698-8210 (Kauai) or 808-727-8210 (Maui), or walk in at 545 Queen Street, Suite 100, Honolulu. The Judiciary also lists the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Oahu (808) 536-4302 or Neighbor Islands 1-800-499-4302, and an Appellate Pro Bono Program. Judiciary list: https://www.courts.state.hi.us/legal_references/attorneys/find/civil_cases |
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| Who qualifies | Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii says it serves "the low-moderate income community of Hawaii." Its online pre-screen asks about income, but the page lists no income limit. |
| Cases covered | Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii lists Chapter 7 bankruptcy; private landlord-tenant, debt collection and small claims; wills, powers of attorney and advance health care directives; divorce, paternity, custody, adoption and guardianship of a minor; and veterans benefits and pension claims. The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii helps with divorce, welfare, food stamps, Social Security, Medicaid, landlord-tenant and consumer problems. Legal Aid Society description: https://www.courts.state.hi.us/legal_references/attorneys/find/civil_cases |
Other free or low-cost help
| Free legal questions online | Hawaii Online Pro Bono, part of American Bar Association Free Legal Answers, "is created for low-income individuals." You answer a few questions to see if you qualify, then can post up to 3 civil legal questions a year for volunteer lawyers to answer, at hawaii.freelegalanswers.org. The page states no income limit. |
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| Does the bar's referral service find free lawyers? | The Hawaii Judiciary says the Hawaii State Bar Association's Lawyer Referral and Information Service "is a free service that provides names and contact information of attorneys who handle civil cases," but "you will need to make your own fee arrangement with the lawyer." Phone: (808) 537-9140. |
| Free legal aid | For people who cannot afford a lawyer, the Hawaii Judiciary lists the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization), which helps with divorce, public benefits, landlord-tenant and consumer problems: Oahu (808) 536-4302, Neighbor Islands toll-free 1-800-499-4302. Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii helps with landlord-tenant, wills, domestic violence, divorce and other family matters: Oahu (808) 528-7046, Neighbor Islands toll-free 1-800-839-5200. The Judiciary also runs Self-Help Centers and Access to Justice Rooms. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
| Lawyer referral service | The Hawaii State Bar Association's Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) gives you the names and contact information of panel attorneys who handle your type of matter. "The referrals are free"; you contact the referred attorney to learn whether they can help and to arrange their terms and costs. Phone (808) 537-9140, email LRIS@hsba.org, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. |
All legal help in Hawaii · What is a pro bono lawyer? · Pro bono lawyers in other states
Last verified against official sources: November 4, 2026.
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.