Last updated: May 20, 2026
Urgent help now
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911. If calling 911 could put you at more risk, move to a safer place first if you can, then contact an advocate.
For confidential domestic violence help, call the National hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or use chat. You can also use the HSCADV help directory to find Hawaii programs by island.
On Oahu, the DVAC helpline lists an Oahu helpline at 808-531-3771, a toll-free helpline at 800-690-6200, and a text line at 605-956-5680. For sexual assault medical help, the SATC medical care page lists the 24-hour hotline at 808-524-7273.
Bottom line
Single mothers in Hawaii who are dealing with domestic violence can ask for help with safety planning, emergency shelter, court protection, legal aid, medical care, food, cash aid, child care, housing rights, and address privacy. The best first call is often a local domestic violence program because the safest next step depends on your island, your child’s school or child care needs, your housing, and whether the person hurting you can monitor your phone or accounts.
This guide is not legal advice or safety-plan advice. It gives starting points so you can reach trained advocates, courts, public benefit offices, and high-trust local services.
Where to start if you feel overwhelmed
You do not have to fix everything today. Start with the risk that is closest: physical danger, a place to sleep, a court order, food, child care, or medical care. If you are not sure, call a domestic violence advocate and say, “I need help deciding what is safest to do first.”
If you need a safe place
Call your island’s 24-hour domestic violence hotline from the HSCADV help directory. Shelter locations are not public. Ask about emergency shelter, transportation, children, pets, and safe ways to receive calls.
If you need court protection
Call the Hawaii Judiciary Family Court TRO Unit for your circuit through the Family Court TRO page. Ask whether a Family Court order or District Court order fits your situation.
If money is short
Apply for food and financial help through the PAIS portal. You can also use our SNAP help page and TANF help page for Hawaii-specific next steps.
Quick reference: who to contact first
| Need | Start here | Ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Danger now | 911 | Immediate emergency response |
| Safety planning or shelter | Local DV hotline | Shelter screening, safety options, child needs |
| Legal protection | Family Court TRO Unit | Help starting a protection order request |
| Legal advice | Legal Aid or DVAC | TRO, custody, housing, benefits, or immigration-sensitive referrals |
| Sexual assault care | SATC hotline | Medical forensic exam and crisis support |
| Food, shelter, bills | 211 | Nearby referrals on any island |
Domestic violence help by island
The Hawaii Department of Human Services and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence both point survivors to local programs. Use the table as a starting point, then confirm the current hotline and service area before going anywhere in person.
| Island or area | Program listed by Hawaii sources | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Oahu | PACT or Child & Family Service Oahu | Emergency shelter, advocacy, children’s needs, safe contact |
| Oahu legal help | Domestic Violence Action Center | TRO help, legal helpline, court support, referrals |
| Hawaii Island | Child & Family Service East or West Hawaii | Shelter, advocacy, counseling, family support |
| Maui County | Women Helping Women | Shelter, TRO help, advocacy, support for children |
| Kauai | YWCA of Kauai | Domestic violence and sexual assault services |
| Molokai | Molokai Community Service Council | Shelter, TRO help, advocacy, family services |
| Any island | Aloha United Way 211 | Food, shelter, child care, bills, and local referrals |
The state’s Hawaii DHS resources page lists statewide domestic violence contacts and public assistance numbers. For help sorting many needs at once, Aloha United Way 211 connects Hawaii residents with food, shelter, financial help, child care, parent support, disability services, and other referrals.
Protective orders in Hawaii
A Family Court temporary restraining order may be available when the person hurting or threatening you is a family or household member, someone you have a child with, a current or former dating partner, or another person covered by Hawaii law. The Hawaii Judiciary explains who can request a Family Court order and lists TRO Unit phone numbers for Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, and Kauai.
Call before you go to court. Ask what forms are needed, how to keep your address private, and whether an advocate can help. If the person is not covered by Family Court rules, ask whether a District Court protective order is the right path.
| Step | What it means | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Call the TRO Unit | Tell court staff you want information about a domestic abuse TRO. | Call hours and processes can change. |
| Write facts clearly | Dates, threats, injuries, police calls, texts, photos, and child safety concerns can matter. | Do not risk your safety to collect proof. |
| Ask about service | The other person must usually be served before a longer order can move forward. | Service delays can affect hearings. |
| Plan for the hearing | Ask an advocate or legal aid office about support before the hearing date. | Legal advice is case-specific. |
If you need help with forms or court safety, contact Legal Aid intake, DVAC if you are on Oahu, or a local advocate. You can also read our Legal help guide for broader Hawaii legal aid starting points.
Safety and phone privacy
Abuse can get worse when the other person thinks you may leave, file for protection, or ask for outside help. Use a safer phone or device if yours may be monitored. A public library, trusted friend’s phone, school office, clinic, or advocate’s phone may be safer than a shared device.
Do not rely on this article as a personal safety plan. Ask a trained advocate for help choosing steps that fit your real situation.
Children, school, and child safety
If your children are in danger now, call 911. If there is suspected child abuse or neglect, the Hawaii Judiciary’s child safety resource page lists the Department of Human Services child abuse reporting line as 808-832-5300 on Oahu and 1-888-380-3088 for Neighbor Islands through child abuse help.
If your child’s school, child care provider, bus stop, or pickup list may be unsafe, ask an advocate how to speak with the school without exposing your location. You may need copies of a protective order, custody order, school ID rules, and a list of who may pick up your child. If you need help with support or parenting logistics after separation, see our Child support help page.
Medical care after assault or injury
Get medical help for injuries, strangulation symptoms, pregnancy concerns, or sexual assault. The Sex Abuse Treatment Center says its medical forensic exam is available within 120 hours of a sexual assault, can collect and preserve evidence, and can be done even if you do not want to report to police. Call SATC’s 24-hour hotline at 808-524-7273 for instructions before you go.
If you need health coverage, Hawaii Med-QUEST accepts applications online, by phone, by mail, or by fax through Med-QUEST. Our Health care help guide can help you compare coverage and clinic starting points. If you feel in crisis or cannot function safely, use 988 or a local crisis line; our Mental health help page lists more support paths.
Food, cash help, child care, and WIC
Leaving violence can mean losing access to money, food, documents, child care, or transportation. Ask each office what they can do when records were left behind because of domestic violence. Rules vary by program, and the notice from the agency controls.
- SNAP: Hawaii DHS says the SNAP program is run by the Benefit, Employment & Support Services Division. Apply online through PAIS, and ask about expedited SNAP if you have very low income or little access to food.
- TANF/TAONF: Hawaii DHS says TANF/TAONF provides temporary financial relief to families and connects families with First-To-Work supports. Ask how domestic violence affects work activity rules or paperwork.
- Child care: Hawaii’s child care subsidy can help eligible families pay for approved care. Ask how to update your safe contact information and whether protective-purpose child care applies.
- WIC: The Hawaii WIC program helps pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding parents, babies, and young children who meet program rules.
You can also use ASMOM’s Hawaii pages for Child care help, WIC help, and Emergency help while you build a safer plan.
Housing, VAWA rights, and emergency transfers
If you live in public housing, have a Housing Choice Voucher, or live in other covered housing, federal VAWA housing protections may apply. HUD VAWA rights can apply to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in covered housing programs, regardless of sex. HUD also explains how to file a VAWA complaint if you believe your rights were violated.
Hawaii Public Housing Authority posts HPHA VAWA forms, including emergency transfer and certification forms. Do not move, break a lease, or give up a voucher without asking your housing provider, legal aid, or an advocate about safe options first. For broader options, see our Housing help guide and Utility help page.
Address privacy and crime victim compensation
The Hawaii ACP is a free program that can let eligible survivors of domestic abuse, sexual offenses, or stalking use a substitute address with state and county agencies. The program is only one part of a safety plan, so ask an advocate how it fits with school, court, housing, and benefit records.
The Crime Victim Compensation Commission may help victims of violent crime with crime-related injuries and losses. It is not the same as emergency cash. Ask the Commission, legal aid, or a victim advocate what records are needed and whether your situation may qualify.
Work leave and job safety
Hawaii law provides unpaid victim leave for domestic or sexual violence. The 2025 Hawaii statute says employers with 50 or more employees must allow up to 30 days of unpaid victim leave per calendar year, and smaller employers must allow up to 5 days, for listed needs such as medical care, victim services, counseling, relocation, or legal action. Read the work leave law and ask a lawyer or advocate if your employer pushes back.
If you need job training, unemployment help, or income options after leaving a job for safety, see our Job loss help page and Hawaii’s public workforce resources.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not post your plan, location, shelter name, court date, or new phone number on social media.
- Do not assume a protective order fixes child pickup, housing, or benefits by itself. Ask each office what paperwork they need.
- Do not use a shared email address for court or benefit notices if the other person can read it.
- Do not wait to ask for food or child care help because you think you need every document first. Ask what can be verified later.
- Do not rely on old hotline lists copied on other websites. Confirm current numbers through HSCADV, DHS, 211, or the program’s site.
If the first call does not work
If one hotline is busy or the program cannot help your county, call 211 and ask for another domestic violence provider, shelter referral, food pantry, transportation option, or legal aid office. If you are turned away from benefits, ask for a written notice and appeal information. If legal aid cannot take your case, ask for a referral to a self-help center, lawyer referral service, or domestic violence legal clinic.
For broader support across benefits and bills, the Hawaii state help page for Hawaii help can point you to other ASMOM guides. For household items after relocation, the Furniture help page may be useful after you have a safer address.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling a domestic violence hotline
“I am a single mother in Hawaii. I am not sure what is safest. I need help with safety planning, possible shelter, and what to do about my children’s school or child care. Can you tell me what information you need and how to contact me safely?”
Calling Family Court
“I want information about a domestic abuse TRO. The person is [relationship]. I have children, and I am worried about safety. Can you tell me which court process applies, what forms I need, and how to protect my address?”
Calling DHS or PAIS help
“I left home because of domestic violence and I need food or cash help. Some documents may be missing. Can I apply now, ask for expedited SNAP if eligible, and send proof later?”
Calling a housing provider
“I am a survivor of domestic violence and I live in covered housing. I need information about VAWA protections, emergency transfer options, and how my information will be kept private.”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Si necesita ayuda confidencial por violencia doméstica, llame a una línea local de violencia doméstica en Hawaii o a la Línea Nacional de Violencia Doméstica al 1-800-799-7233. También puede llamar al 211 para comida, refugio, ayuda con cuentas, cuidado infantil y recursos locales.
Si necesita una orden de protección, llame a la unidad de TRO de Family Court antes de ir. Si necesita comida, dinero o Medicaid, puede solicitar beneficios por los portales oficiales de Hawaii. Este artículo es información general, no consejo legal ni un plan de seguridad personal.
FAQ
Can a Hawaii domestic violence advocate help me even if I am not ready to leave?
Yes. Advocates can talk through options, safety concerns, shelter questions, court help, and referrals. You do not have to make every decision during the first call.
Can I ask for a Hawaii protective order if the abuser is a dating partner?
Possibly. The Hawaii Judiciary says Family Court TROs may cover current or former dating relationships, along with other family or household relationships. Call the TRO Unit to confirm the right court path for your situation.
Can I get a sexual assault exam without making a police report?
The Sex Abuse Treatment Center says a medical forensic exam can be done even if you do not want to report to police. Call SATC as soon as possible for current instructions.
Can domestic violence affect my housing rights?
It can. If your housing is covered by VAWA, you may have protections and may be able to request an emergency transfer. Ask your housing provider, legal aid, or an advocate before making housing decisions.
What if I left my documents behind?
Apply for help anyway and tell the agency or advocate that the documents were left behind because of domestic violence. Ask what can be verified another way or sent later.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.