Domestic Violence Resources and Safety for Single Mothers in Hawaii

What has changed

Since this article was last revised in June 2026, Hawaii enacted Act 192 on July 7, 2026. It extends a criminal domestic-violence pilot for five years. It does not replace the Family Court and District Court paths for protective orders described here. The local directory, court instructions, address privacy rules, and victim services below were also rechecked for this update.

Where to start if you feel overwhelmed

You do not have to solve everything today. Start with what is most urgent: immediate danger, a place to sleep, your children, a court order, medical care, or food. You can tell a hotline worker, “I need help deciding what is safest to do first.”

Related guides: Hawaii emergency assistance and Hawaii community programs.

Quick reference

Domestic violence help by island

The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence lists these island programs and crisis phone numbers. Hours and services differ. Call rather than visiting a hidden shelter location. If a line is busy, ask another local provider to help connect you.

The state DHS resources page lists statewide domestic violence contacts and public assistance information. The HSCADV directory is also useful because it links to programs by island and need.

Protective orders in Hawaii

A Family Court temporary restraining order (TRO) may be available when the abusive person is a spouse or former spouse, parent, family member, someone you share a child with, a current or former dating partner, or another person covered by Hawaii’s family or household-member rules. The law can address physical abuse and threats, as well as certain forms of extreme psychological abuse or coercive control. Tell the court worker what happened; do not assume that only visible injuries matter.

If the person is not in a family or dating relationship covered by Family Court, check the District Court TRO process. For example, harassment by someone who was never a dating partner may fall there. Ask court staff about the correct process before filing.

Costs and timing differ: The Hawaii Judiciary says the initial Family Court TRO petition is free. If granted, a court hearing is set within 15 days, and the papers must be served before the order can be enforced. The District Court instructions list a $15 filing fee that may be waived in exceptional cases. Ask a clerk to confirm filing, hearing, service, and fee details for your island.

For help with court forms, speak to the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (Oahu intake 808-536-4302; neighbor islands 800-499-4302) or a local advocate. You can also use our Hawaii legal help guide. If you already have an order and it is violated, follow the court’s instructions and call 911 when there is danger.

Children, school, and child safety

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. To report suspected child abuse or neglect, the Hawaii Department of Human Services lists 808-832-5300 on Oahu and 888-380-3088 for the neighbor islands. Ask what information the worker needs and how your own safety details will be handled.

Ask your child’s school or child care program how to update safe pickup lists and emergency contacts. Tell them about a protective or custody order when it affects access to your child. Ask an advocate or lawyer how to share only the papers the school needs and keep a new address private.

If the abusive person is your child’s other parent, talk with legal aid before making major custody or visitation decisions. Ask the child support office about a good-cause or safety exception if cooperation could place you or your child at risk. Learn more in our Hawaii child support guide.

Medical care after assault or injury

Seek urgent medical help for serious injury, trouble breathing, fainting, head injury, or any strangulation (pressure to the neck), even if there are few marks. Symptoms may be delayed. Call 911 for an emergency. You can ask medical staff for a private conversation and a safe way to contact you.

After sexual assault, Hawaii’s Sex Abuse Treatment Center medical guide says an acute medical forensic exam is available within 120 hours (five days). You can have an exam without filing a police report, and the center says the forensic exam and crisis counseling are provided without charge. Call SATC at 808-524-7273 for current steps. In Oahu, the center lists Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children as the exam site.

Important: The 120-hour period is for the acute forensic exam, not a deadline to get medical care, counseling, or report abuse. SATC also describes later non-acute exams for children and teens in some cases. Ask the hotline for island-specific options and care even if more than five days have passed.

If you need health coverage, Hawaii Med-QUEST accepts applications online and through other listed channels. For emotional crisis support, call or text 988. You can also request an interpreter or other access support when calling.

Food, cash help, child care, and WIC

Leaving violence can mean losing access to money, child care, documents, food, or a safe place to sleep. Tell agencies about safety concerns and any records you could not bring. Ask for a safe way to send proof and receive notices.

• SNAP food benefits: Apply through Hawaii DHS SNAP or PAIS. Ask the worker to screen for expedited help if you have very little food or money. See our Hawaii SNAP guide.
• TANF and TAONF cash support: Hawaii’s cash assistance programs serve eligible families. If abuse makes work activities unsafe, ask the DHS processing center about a domestic-violence good-cause review, advocacy services, and safe communication. This is not an automatic waiver or approval. See our Hawaii TANF guide.
• Child care: Hawaii’s child care subsidy usually has income and activity rules. DHS notes a special protective-purpose pathway; ask a worker whether it applies to your child and what proof is needed. A subsidy may not cover the full cost.
• WIC: Hawaii WIC offers food and nutrition help for eligible pregnant or postpartum parents, infants, and children under five. Our Hawaii WIC guide explains the starting steps.

For benefits questions, call the Hawaii public assistance information line at 855-643-1643. If you receive a written denial, reduction, or closure notice, keep it and ask immediately about the deadline to request a hearing or review. Deadlines vary by program.

Housing, VAWA rights, and emergency transfers

If you live in public housing, have a Housing Choice Voucher, or are applying to certain federally assisted housing programs, you may have rights under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). HUD says covered providers generally cannot deny you housing, evict you, or end your assistance because you experienced covered abuse. Protections apply to people of any gender.

Ask your housing provider for the VAWA notice (HUD-5380), self-certification form (HUD-5382), and its emergency transfer plan. HUD explains that self-certification is generally an available way to document the abuse, though conflicting evidence may change documentation rules. A transfer is not a guarantee of an available unit.

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority’s VAWA forms library also lists the emergency transfer request (HUD-5383). Ask about confidentiality and how to request a safe unit or move while keeping voucher help, where applicable. Do not assume every private rental is covered by VAWA; ask a lawyer or housing advocate what other protections may apply.

If a landlord threatens eviction or you may lose a voucher, contact legal aid quickly and save every notice. See our Hawaii housing assistance guide for wider housing paths.

Address privacy and crime victim compensation

Hawaii’s free Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) can help eligible survivors of domestic abuse, sexual offenses, or stalking use a substitute address with state and county agencies. Applicants must live in Hawaii, or plan to live there within 30 days, at an address not known to the person who harmed them.

You cannot apply directly to the ACP office. You must meet a designated application assistant at a certified victim-services organization. Ask your local advocate for an ACP assistant. If approved, the program sends certain mail on to you. It cannot hide every record or replace a full safety plan. ACP information: 808-587-5054.

Hawaii’s Crime Victim Compensation Commission may reimburse certain eligible crime-related medical, mental health, dental, or lost-wage costs after other sources are considered. It is not a same-day emergency grant. The Commission’s official application page explains the signed form, supporting records, and mailing steps. Call 808-587-1143 for help.

Time limit: Commission application instructions generally require filing within 18 months of the crime; late applications may be considered for good cause. Police-report rules also apply, so ask an advocate how these requirements work in your circumstances. Do not delay medical care while checking compensation rules.

Work leave and job safety

Under Hawaii’s victim leave law (HRS 378-72), eligible employees affected by domestic or sexual violence against themselves or a minor child may take unpaid leave for listed needs. The limit is up to 30 days per calendar year for employers with 50 or more employees, or up to five days for employers with fewer than 50.

Allowed reasons include medical care, counseling, victim services, moving, and legal steps. Tell your employer as early as reasonably possible unless danger makes notice impractical. Proof may be requested: for up to five days of non-medical leave, a signed employee statement can qualify; longer leave or medical leave may need other records. Ask a victim advocate how to share only what is required and keep your records private.

Ask your employer about a safer work phone, schedule, parking spot, or reception instructions. If your employer denies protected leave or threatens your job, ask legal aid about the law and your options. The leave benefit does not guarantee paid time off.

Documents and information checklist

Do not risk your safety to collect papers. Take only what you can safely reach. Shelters, courts, and benefit offices may use different proof rules; ask what can be replaced or sent later.

For a wider checklist, use ASMOM’s documents checklist. If a benefit is denied, reduced, delayed, or closed, ASMOM’s benefits problem guide can help you organize notices and deadlines.