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PONO Legal provides free legal advice, legal information and support to disaster-impacted community members across Hawaiʻi. Find out who is eligible for our services, how we can help and what to expect when you contact us.

Contact Us

  • PONO Legal serves Hawaiʻi communities who have been impacted by a natural disaster or public emergency. We welcome individuals, families, and community members seeking information, resources, legal assistance, or referrals related to disaster recovery.

    Services are available regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or status as a person with disabilities.

    Please note: Eligibility for certain legal services may depend on the type of legal issue, program requirements, funding restrictions, or available capacity. If we are unable to assist directly, we will do our best to connect you with other trusted resources and service providers.

  • What to Expect

    Most people work with us three times during their legal issue.

    1. Initial Contact
    When you first contact us, you'll speak with our reception team. We'll ask a few questions to check whether you're eligible for our services and, if appropriate, help arrange an appointment with one of our lawyers.

    2. Case Assessment
    Once eligibility is confirmed, a staff attorney will contact you. This is usually by phone, but may be via text, email, or in person. They'll discuss your situation and what you're hoping to achieve.

    3. Legal Advice or Services
    After a staff attorney has assessed your case, you'll receive legal advice, services, or a referral if appropriate. This is usually provided in person through an appointment, by email, or during a follow-up phone call.

  • PONO Legal provides assistance with legal issues related to disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.

    While many services are provided in-house, we also collaborate with our Hawaiʻi-based partners including Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Legal Aid Society of Maui, Maui County Bar Association, and Hawaii State Bar Association to help as many impacted individuals as possible, while at the same time reducing duplication of legal assistance efforts and waste of resources.

    PONO Legal is unable to provide assistance with matters that are not related to a disaster, including:

    • Family law matters (such as divorce, child custody, child support, or adoption)

    • Criminal law matters

    • Business or commercial legal matters

    • Buying or selling real estate or homes

    • Personal injury cases

    • Employment law matters unrelated to a disaster

    Need Help Determining Whether Your Issue Qualifies?

    Contact us and briefly describe your situation. We can help determine whether your legal issue is disaster-related and provide referrals when available.

  • Our services are designed to help people understand and address their own disaster-related legal issues. We can help you understand your rights, explore your options, and identify next steps. You remain responsible for making decisions and taking action on your legal matter.

    Depending on your situation, we may be able to:

    • Explain your legal rights and responsibilities

    • Provide advice about your legal options

    • Discuss the strengths and challenges of your case

    • Review documents or correspondence you plan to send

    • Help you prepare for meetings, hearings, or appeals

    • Assist with urgent disaster-related legal issues when immediate action is needed

    • Connect you with additional resources or service providers

    PONO Legal does not provide formal representation. We rarely appear in court or communicate with other parties on a client's behalf.

Our Services

By Legal Issue Area

Browse our services by legal issue to learn more about common disaster-related legal challenges and the support that may be available to you.

By Disaster Timeline

Browse our services by recovery stage to find information and support for the legal issues that matter most to you and your ʻohana.

Where you can find us

 

PONO Legal Office

96 Central Ave.
Wailuku, HI 96793

  • No walk-ins

  • By appointment only

Located down the street from Four Sister Bakery, at the corner of Central Ave. and East Vineyard St. Parking located alongside our building on East Vineyard St.

 

Office of Recovery-West Maui

Also known as the “Lahaina Resource Center”. Located next to the Sherwin-Williams Paint Store.

Lahaina Gateway
325 Keawe Street, Suite B102
Lahaina, HI 96761

  • Walk-ins welcome every Wednesday

  • Other days available by appointment

 

Kākoʻo Maui Resource Hub

153 E Kamehameha Ave, Suite 101
Kahului, HI 96732

  • Available by appointment only

Located on the Tasksa Guri Guri side of Maui Mall grounds, same building as Subway and Hawaii Hunters store.

Ready to connect?

Our focus at PONO Legal is to provide free legal assistance to Hawaiʻi community members who have been directly impacted by disasters and emergencies.

To get started, please fill out this form. We will review it promptly and contact you as quickly as possible!

PONO Legal does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or status as a person with disabilities.

Submission of this form does not create an attorney‑client relationship.

Your personal information is protected and never shared without prior consent.