Charity and Nonprofit Organizations Across the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii's nonprofit sector is shaped by water. A service that a mainland county might run from one office has to be repeated island by island here, and each island has its own needs. Our database lists 83 charity and nonprofit organizations in Hawaii, from health groups in Honolulu to small community projects in Keaau, Waianae and Kihei. This page explains how they are organised, who oversees them, and how to reach the right one.

The word "nonprofit" covers a wide range. Some are direct-service charities, such as the Salvation Army at 75 Kaulana Street in Hilo (808-326-7780) or Catholic Charities at 87-190 Maliona Street in Waianae (808-696-4885). Others are foundations that fund other groups, like the Hawaii Community Foundation, listed at 2241 West Vineyard Street in Wailuku (808-242-6184). A third group are trade or professional associations with nonprofit status, such as the Building Industry Association of Hawaii in Waipahu and the Hawaii State Bar Association in Honolulu.

Knowing which type you are dealing with saves time. A person who needs food, counselling or support services should look for a direct-service charity. A group seeking a grant should start with the foundations. Someone who wants to volunteer on a native-species project or a reef cleanup will usually want an environmental or cultural organization.

Who Regulates Charities and Nonprofits in Hawaii

Several state bodies share oversight, and each one answers a different question. Knowing which is which helps when you want to verify a group or report a concern.

These roles do not overlap as much as people expect. A nonprofit corporation in good standing with the DCCA is not automatically a tax-exempt charity. In the same way, an IRS-recognised charity may still need to keep its state registration current. Checking both gives a far better picture than checking either one alone.

Hawaii's charitable solicitation law, Chapter 467B of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, is the main rule for groups that ask the public for donations. Some organizations are exempt from registering, so a missing registration is a reason to ask questions, not proof of wrongdoing. If you suspect a fundraising scam, the Attorney General's office is the right place to start.

Day-to-day services are a different matter. The state does not run these nonprofits. Each one sets its own hours, intake process and eligibility rules, often according to what its funders require. That is why a quick phone call usually matters more than any general rule.

Honolulu, Neighbor Islands and Rural Hawaii: How Access Differs

Honolulu is the hub. Our listings show 40 organizations in the city itself, and Honolulu County, which covers the whole island of Oahu, holds 52 of the state's 83. Oahu is home to roughly a million people, and most statewide groups base their headquarters there. The American Cancer Society (2370 Nuuanu Avenue, 808-595-7500), the Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (1020 South Beretania Street, 808-529-0466) and the Hawaii State Bar Association (1100 Alakea Street, 808-537-1868) are all Honolulu listings. Many such groups serve every island through phone lines, visiting staff and partner organizations.

Outside town, Oahu's nonprofits are smaller and more local. Catholic Charities has a listing in Waianae on the Leeward Coast. The Key Project is in Kaneohe, the Hui Malama O Ke Kai Foundation in Waimanalo, the Lei Ilima Project in Ewa Beach and the Caregiver Foundation in Kapolei. If you live in one of these areas, a nearby office can save a long bus ride or a drive through Honolulu traffic.

The Big Island is different because of its size. Hawaii County has 12 listings spread between the Hilo side and the Kona and Kohala coasts, and a drive across the island can take well over two hours. In Hilo you will find the Salvation Army, the Edith Kanakaole Foundation (1500 Kalanianaole Avenue, 808-961-5242) and the Sure Foundation. The Marimed Foundation is in Keaau and the Hawaii Wildlife Center in Waimea. A Hawaii Sober Living & Recover Center listing sits on Alahou Street in Kailua, on the Kona side. Choose the office closest to your own district rather than the nearest big town.

Maui County also has 12 listings, and it covers Maui, Molokai and Lanai. The listings cluster in central and south Maui. They include the Hawaii Community Foundation in Wailuku, the Community Work Day Program on South Puunene Avenue in Kahului (808-877-2524), the Read Foundation on South Kihei Road (808-263-7323) and the Sierra Club of Maui Group at 71 Baldwin Avenue in Paia (808-579-9802). The Lahaina Restoration Foundation is listed on Front Street in Lahaina. The August 2023 wildfire destroyed much of that town, so call before visiting any West Maui address to confirm where staff are working now.

Kauai County has seven listings. They include the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association in Lihue (808-532-0559), Lawai International Center in Kapaa (808-639-4300) and the Amicus Foundation in Kilauea (808-828-2828). With fewer offices on the island, a single group often covers a wide area, so phoning first is sensible.

Checking and Contacting a Hawaii Nonprofit: Practical Steps

Start with a phone call. Many Hawaii nonprofits are small, volunteer-supported and open only on set days, so published hours can lag behind reality. Ask whether you need an appointment, what documents to bring and whether the service covers your district.

Bring a photo ID and, for assistance programs, proof of address and income. There is no single statewide rule, because each organization or its funders set the requirements.

Do not be thrown by Hawaiian-style addresses. Numbers such as 75-5708 or 47-200 are normal, and you should type them into a map exactly as written, hyphen included. Hawaii also does not observe daylight saving time, so it is five or six hours behind Eastern time when you call from the mainland.

If you are unsure where to start, dial 2-1-1, the Aloha United Way information and referral line, and describe what you need. Before donating, confirm the group in the DCCA business registry, the Attorney General's charity registry and the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.

Nonprofit organizations operating in Hawaii must register with the state attorney general's charitable trust section and comply with state solicitation licensing requirements in addition to meeting federal IRS requirements for tax-exempt status. Hawaii's charity registration process helps protect residents from fraudulent fundraising operations.

Charity Nonprofit locations are available in 19 cities across Hawaii. They are spread across 4 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Honolulu, Kailua, Wailuku, which typically host large concentrations of nonprofits serving regional populations across health, human services, education, and arts sectors.

Donors in Hawaii can verify that a charity is properly registered with the state by contacting the Hawaii Attorney General's office or searching the state's online charity registration database before making a contribution.

Charity Nonprofit by Counties

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Nonprofits seeking grant funding in Hawaii should explore state-level grant programs administered through the Hawaii Department of Health, Department of Education, or community services block grant programs. Many Hawaii foundations also fund local nonprofits through competitive grant cycles that typically open annually.

Browse Charity Nonprofit by county across Hawaii to find the nearest location.

Giving, Volunteering and Finding Help Across Hawaii's Islands

Nonprofit work in Hawaii often mixes social services with culture and land stewardship. The Edith Kanakaole Foundation in Hilo carries the name of the Hilo cultural practitioner and teacher Edith Kanakaole. The Hawaii Wildlife Center in Waimea, the Hui Malama O Ke Kai Foundation in Waimanalo and the Sierra Club of Maui Group in Paia all point to the role of environmental work in island life. If you want to volunteer with groups like these, ask about minimum time commitments, age limits and any cultural protocols before you turn up.

Trade and professional groups in our listings, such as the General Contractors Association of Hawaii on Ahua Street in Honolulu and the Building Industry Association of Hawaii in Waipahu, mainly serve their members. Call and ask what, if anything, is open to the public.

When you give, cash usually helps more than goods. Shipping to the islands is expensive, and storage space is tight at small offices. Ask what a group needs before dropping anything off. For local detail, browse Honolulu County for Oahu or Maui County for Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

Frequently Asked Questions About Charities and Nonprofits in Hawaii

Oversight is split between several offices. The Business Registration Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs registers nonprofit corporations and records their annual filings. The Department of the Attorney General, through its Tax and Charities Division, supervises charitable trusts and the solicitation of donations under Chapter 467B of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The Department of Taxation handles state tax matters such as general excise tax exemptions. Federal tax-exempt status comes only from the IRS. If you have a complaint about fundraising practices, start with the Attorney General's office.

Make three checks. First, search the DCCA business registry to see whether the organization is registered and in good standing. Second, look for it in the Attorney General's charity registry. Third, use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm 501(c)(3) status. Ask for the exact legal name, because many groups operate under a different public name. Compare the address and phone number with our listing. A genuine charity will give you a written receipt and will not pressure you to pay in cash or by gift card.

Honolulu County holds 52 of our 83 listings, and 40 of those are in Honolulu itself. Hawaii County and Maui County each have 12, while Kauai County has seven. Statewide organizations are often headquartered in Honolulu and reach other islands by phone, visiting staff or partner groups. Browse Hawaii County or Kauai County for local offices. For Molokai and Lanai, ask Honolulu or Maui groups whether they travel or offer phone services.

No single statewide rule applies, because each nonprofit sets its own intake process. Most assistance programs ask for a photo ID, and many also want proof of address and income, or a letter showing current benefits. Programs involving housing or recovery, such as the Kailua listing at 808-326-7630, may start with a phone screening before any visit. The Salvation Army in Hilo (808-326-7780) and Catholic Charities in Waianae (808-696-4885) are good examples of offices where a short call will tell you the hours and what to bring.

Yes. The Hawaii Community Foundation, listed in Wailuku at 808-242-6184, set up the Maui Strong Fund after the August 2023 wildfires. The Lahaina Restoration Foundation is listed on Front Street in Lahaina at 808-661-8527. Call either office to ask which programs are active now, whether they accept volunteers and how gifts are used. Give only through registered organizations, and be cautious about unfamiliar online appeals. The Maui County page lists other local groups.

Most founders file articles of incorporation with the DCCA Business Registration Division under Chapter 414D. Next comes an employer identification number from the IRS, followed by an application for 501(c)(3) recognition. Then apply to the Department of Taxation for any state exemptions you need. If you plan to ask the public for donations, check whether you must register with the Attorney General. Fees change, so confirm current amounts with each agency. The Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations in Honolulu (808-529-0466) is a useful network for new groups.