The Honolulu Access to Justice Room (Honolulu AJR) is once again offering in-person services. In April, Honolulu AJR welcomed its first visitors in five years, after being forced to suspend in-person services in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Volunteers in the Honolulu AJR offer free legal advice to self-represented litigants in civil cases on Oʻahu who may not be able to afford legal representation.

“The reopening of in-person services at the Honolulu AJR marks a meaningful step forward in our commitment to ensuring that access to justice remains a reality for everyone in our community, regardless of their means,” said Tiane Inciong, Pro Bono Coordinator for the Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi. “Since its inception, the Honolulu Access to Justice Room has provided essential legal information and limited legal advice to thousands of individuals navigating complex civil legal issues.”

The Honolulu AJR first opened in 2012 as a partnership between the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i, the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary, the Hawaiʻi Access to Justice Commission, and the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association. Volunteers at the Honolulu AJR continued to offer legal advice remotely even after in-person service was paused in 2020.

Currently, in-person services are available on the first Wednesday of every month, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the AJR room on the third floor of Kauikeaouli Hale (District Courthouse) at 1111 Alakea Street in downtown Honolulu. Consultations are also available by phone by calling 808-909-2847 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Calls will be answered by Legal Aid staff who will connect callers with an attorney.

“As we move forward with this new hybrid model, offering both remote and in-person services, we remain focused on expanding our reach while maintaining the high standard of service that our patrons rely on,” Inciong explained.

“Over the years, we’ve witnessed firsthand how this resource has empowered people to understand their rights, take informed action, and find clarity during some of the most challenging times in their lives. The success of the Honolulu AJR would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteer attorneys, the support of the Judiciary, and the collaborative efforts of our community partners,” Inciong said. “We are honored to continue this work alongside our partners, and we look forward to furthering the mission of promoting equal access to justice for all.”

Attorneys interested in volunteering at a self-help center or seeking other pro bono opportunities are invited to visit the Hawaiʻi Access to Justice Commission website. Visit the Judiciary’s self-help centers page for more information on Access to Justice Rooms and Self-Help Centers across the islands, as well as other free legal resources.