Reentry Resources in Hawaii (2026 Directory)
Jump to: Overview • Key Organizations • Housing • Jobs • Legal Help • Credit & Money
Last updated: March 2026. Programs and contacts are verified periodically — confirm directly before visiting.
Overview
Hawaii’s reentry system blends state programs with strong community and nonprofit partners across Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. The Hawaii Department of Public Safety Reentry Office connects individuals to transitional housing, case management, and employment support prior to release. Nonprofits like HOPE Services and Catholic Charities Hawaii offer housing stabilization, employment pathways, and basic-needs assistance. Workforce support runs through WorkHawaii, American Job Centers, and apprenticeship programs in priority trades.
Record-clearing guidance is available through the Hawaii Civil Legal Corps and Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. Housing supply is tight statewide, so early planning and referral documentation are essential. Many returning citizens benefit from peer-support and culturally grounded reentry programs that focus on long-term stability and family/community reconnection.
Key Reentry Organizations
The organizations below are the primary contacts for wraparound reentry support in Hawaii — covering case management, advocacy, and coordination across housing, employment, and legal needs.
| Organization | What They Do | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Department of Public Safety — Reentry | Pre-release planning and reentry coordination through Hawaii’s Department of Public Safety — manages community transition referrals, supervision handoffs, and reentry programming statewide. | Visit |
| Institute for Human Services (IHS) | Honolulu-based wraparound services — transitional housing, case management, employment support, and reentry navigation for justice-involved individuals across Oahu. One of Hawaii’s largest reentry providers. | Visit |
| Legal Aid Society of Hawaii | Free civil legal aid statewide — housing rights, public benefits, family law issues, and civil matters related to criminal history. Income eligibility required. | Visit |
| Hawaii Workforce Development Division | State workforce system with One-Stop Career Centers on multiple islands — job placement, training referrals, bonding programs, and WOTC support for returning citizens. | Visit |
Housing Assistance
| Program / Organization | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Institute for Human Services (IHS) | Institute for Human Services (IHS) – Transitional & housing support for formerly incarcerated or homeless adults. | Visit |
| Going Home Hawaii – Reentry Housing (Kailua-Kona) | Going Home Hawaii – Reentry housing & case management for justice-involved adults (Big Island). | Visit |
| HOPE Services Hawaii | Transitional & reentry housing for adults leaving incarceration (Big Island). | Visit |
Job & Employer Programs
| Program / Organization | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| WorkNet, Inc. | Job readiness & placement for returning citizens on O‘ahu. | Visit |
| Goodwill Hawaii – Employment Core Services (ECS) | Employment & training support for job seekers with barriers statewide. | Visit |
| Going Home Hawaii – Employment Services | Going Home Hawaii – Job coaching & placement for justice-involved adults (Big Island). | Visit |
Legal Help & Record Clearing
| Organization | Services | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i (LASH) | Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i – Civil legal aid & expungement help for low-income residents. | Visit |
| Hawai‘i Friends of Restorative Justice (HFRJ) | Hawai‘i Friends of Restorative Justice – Reentry legal guide & resource support for returning citizens in HI. | Visit |
| Office of the Public Defender (OPD – Hawai‘i) | Office of the Public Defender – Criminal defense & record-sealing guidance for qualifying cases. | Visit |
Credit & Financial Support
| Program | Focus | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Bank On Hawai‘i (Financial Empowerment Coalition) | Bank On Hawai‘i – Safe checking & financial education for residents without bank access. | Visit |
| Hawai‘i Community Assets (HCA) | Hawai‘i Community Assets – Credit counseling & affordable housing support statewide. | Visit |
| Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union (HIFICU) | Second-chance checking & secured credit card options. | Visit |
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