Find alternatives to calling the Honolulu Police Department.
Typically, people call the police because they are experiencing or perceive an emergency and need immediate assistance. In order to provide the most effective alternatives to calling the police or 911, unless otherwise indicated, the resources included here are limited to those that offer immediate assistance through emergency or crisis services.
These resources may be obligated to call police in the case of an immediate risk of harm to the caller or another, child abuse, or abuse of a vulnerable adult. Where we know or suspect that a resource may work in cooperation with law enforcement or involve them beyond what is required by law, we acknowledge that in the listing.
These resources are not intended to cover all situations, only to provide the services described. If you are in danger of immediate harm and feel safe doing so, call 911.
Housing
- Aloha United Way 211
- Hawaii’s only comprehensive, statewide community information and referral service. Free and confidential. 211 specialists help you find food, shelter, financial assistance, child care, parenting support, elderly care, disability services, job training and much more.
- 211 (7 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily)
- Online search available 24/7
- http://auw211.org/
- Gregory House Programs
- Provides housing, nutrition, and case management services to people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Services for residents of Hawaii who are homeless or at risk of homelessness living with HIV/AIDS. Requires photo ID and SS#. All services are provided on Oahu, with some housing assistance available to Neighbor Island applicants.
- (808) 592-9022
- http://gregoryhouse.org/
- Next Step Shelter
- Operated by Waikiki Health, provides emergency shelter for couples and individuals experiencing homelessness, on-site medical clinic, housing placement assistance, behavioral health assessment, mail services, and necessities.
- (808) 585-8800 (24/7)
- http://waikikihc.org/locations/nextstep/
LGBTQ+
- Lavender Center and Clinic
- An inclusive medical practice for all communities, all genders, and LGBTQAI+ friendly and supportive. Primary care, hormone therapy, group and individual counseling, and support groups.
- 1345 S. Beretania Street Suite 101, Honolulu, HI 96814
- (808) 744-2543
- https://lavendercenterandclinic.org/
- Uh Mānoa LGBTQ+ Center
- Provides direct services to students of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to confidentially discuss or seek advocacy and support for mistreatment due to their actual or perceived sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
- (808) 956-9250
- https://manoa.hawaii.edu/lgbtq/
Mental Health
- ACCESS Crisis Line of Hawaii*
- Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline services. Authorizes and dispatches mobile crisis services – trained crisis counselors – for all ages across the State of Hawaii. For those age 18 years and older, crisis services may include access to short term crisis support management, case management, and emergency shelter for those who qualify. 24/7 services, state-wide.
- Oahu: (808) 832-3100
- Other Islands: 1 (800) 753-6879
- *Please note this is a government program – they have informed us that police are not normally involved.
- Kids Hurt Too Hawaii
- Provides grieving children and youth (ages three through 17 years old) a safe space to connect with others, to tell their stories and express their feelings of loss, fear, anger, and confusion. Crisis management is available at no charge to families and schools to assist with the initial crisis after homicide, suicide, accident, or disaster. Other groups needing crisis management may be asked to cover the cost of providing services.
- (808) 545-5683
- https://www.kidshurttoo.org/
- Mental Health America of Hawaii
- Provides resources and community referrals for people seeking mental health-related assistance in Hawaii.
- (808) 521-1846
- https://mentalhealthhawaii.org/
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- Domestic Violence Action Center
- Provides immediate service and support to individuals who are in crisis as a result of intimate partner violence. Crisis support services are free of charge. Helpline provides counseling, information, and referrals for crisis callers, as well as legal assistance, including court advocacy assistance, assistance obtaining a TRO, and information for all callers.
- Helpline hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am until 4:30pm.
- (808) 531-3771 or 1 (800) 690-6200
- https://domesticviolenceactioncenter.org/
- Hawaii Domestic Abuse Shelters*
- Temporary shelters offering women and children up to 90 days of a safe haven when fleeing from domestic violence. Individuals receive basic needs, counseling support, and services for children. 24/7 hotline linking callers to emergency shelter.
- (808) 841-0822 (24/7)
- *Please note this is a program of Child and Family Services
- Parents and Children Together (PACT) – Oahu Family Peace Center
- Separate programs provide services to victims and offenders of domestic and intimate-partner violence. The Puuhonua (“Safe Haven”) Survivor Unit Provides a variety of services for survivors of domestic violence. These services are available for women and men and include crisis phone counseling, safety planning, legal advocacy, and community referrals, including emergency shelter. The Kuleana (“Responsibility”) Offenders Unit Works with offenders of intimate partner violence and non-intimate partner abuse, providing intervention and anger management groups, counseling, and more. Victim services are free – flat fee for offenders, but none turned away for inability to pay.
- Victim Support & Shelter Access Line: (808) 526-2200 (24/7)
- General/offender services: (808) 832-0855
- https://pacthawaii.org/our-work/domestic-violence-prevention/family-peace-centers/oahu-peace-center/
- Sex Abuse Treatment Center
- Helps children, teenagers, women and men recover from sexual abuse. Has emergency services for sexual assault, ongoing therapy, resources just for teens, and interpreters for many languages. Also has programs for educators and toolkits for communities to help prevent sexual violence. 24/7 hotline serving 13 languages. Statewide services.
- (808) 524-7273 (24/7)
- http://www.satchawaii.com/
- Windward Spouse Abuse Center
- Domestic violence service near Kailua, providing help for people dealing with domestic abuse. Emergency shelter.
- (808) 528-0606 (24/7)
- University of Hawaii Women’s Center
- Provides crisis and referral services, connecting individuals with on and off campus resources for intimate partner violence, sexual assault, legal aid, and other emergency needs.
- (808) 956-9314
- http://www.hawaii.edu/womenscenter/
- YWCA Sexual Assault Support Crisis Line
- 24/7 crisis line for survivors of sexual assault providing crisis intervention, emotional and moral support, assistance deciding whether to file police report, and more. All services available to all ages, and are free and confidential.
- Hawaii: (808) 935-0677
- Maui: (808) 873-8624
- Moloka‘i: (808) 495-3340
- Lana‘i: 1 (866) 443-5702
- Oahu: (808) 524-7273
- Kauai: (808) 245-4144
- https://www.ywcahawaiiisland.org/what-we-do/sexual-assault-support-services/
Youth
Please note, people answering these calls may be mandatory reporters, and required to make a report to CPS or law enforcement in certain situations. Learn about local mandatory reporter laws here.
- Hale Kipa
- A multi-service, fully accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that specializes in working with at-risk youth and their families. Operates several types of shelters on O‘ahu offering emergency services for youth up to age 12 – 17, foster housing for youth age 10 – 17, and transitional and other housing services for up to age 24. Emergency shelters are open to youth who have been abused, or are neglected, homeless, or facing a personal crisis. Mental Health assessments for youth.
- (808) 754-9844 (Emergency Shelter)
- (808) 266-7980 (Assessment)
- (808) 589-1829 (general/over 18 programs)
- https://www.halekipa.org/
- Kids Hurt Too Hawaii
- Provides grieving children and youth (ages three through 17 years old) a safe space to connect with others, to tell their stories and express their feelings of loss, fear, anger, and confusion. Crisis management is available at no charge to families and schools to assist with the initial crisis after homicide, suicide, accident, or disaster. Other groups needing crisis management may be asked to cover the cost of providing services.
- (808) 545-5683
- https://www.kidshurttoo.org/
- Residential Youth Services & Empowerment
- Provides a 24/7 access center to help give Hawaii’s homeless youth a brighter future. At RYSE, 18-24 year-olds who are currently on the street have access to a safe temporary living space specifically designed to address their unique needs. Medical attention, hot nutritious meals, clean clothes, laundry facilities, hot showers, personal lockers, counseling, job training and employment assistance, GED education, and nurturing by qualified, professional staff. Drop-in ok. LGBTQ+ allied.
- 42-470 Kalaniana’ole Highway, Kailua, HI 96734
- (808) 498-5180 (Call or text, 24/7)
- https://rysehawaii.org/
- Tap808
- Provides individualized advocacy support for teens and young adults experiencing dating violence. Serves anyone in Hawai’i between the ages of 12 and 21, who is experiencing, at risk for, or has been affected by dating violence. LGBTQ+ affirming.
- Request services online here
- (808) 927-2434
- https://www.tap808.org/
- Waikiki Health Youth Outreach
- Serves as a safe haven for homeless youths, offering medical care, social services and non-judgmental support along with food, hot shower and clothing. Drop in-center and onsite clinic.
- 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mon., Tue., Thur., Fri.
- 415 Keoniana Street, Honolulu, HI 96815
- (808) 537-8438
- http://waikikihc.org/locations/youth-outreach-drop-in-center-and-teen-clinic/
Elders
Coming soon.
Crime
- Legal Aid Society of Hawai’i
- Provides civil legal representation in the areas of housing, family, consumer, immigration, public benefits law, including free services for immigrant victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and victims of other violent crimes. Does not do personal injury or criminal law. Multilingual services.
- O‘ahu: (808) 536-4302
- Neighbor islands: 1 (800) 499-4302
- https://www.legalaidhawaii.org/
Substances
- Salvation Army – Hawaii and Pacific Islands
- SA’s Family Treatment Services offers a continuum of care for women wanting help with their alcohol/drug addiction. Provides residential and outpatient substance use treatment that addresses the special needs of women including support for their children. Ongoing supports that lead to self-sufficiency.
- 845 22nd Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
- (808)732-2802
- https://hawaii.salvationarmy.org/hawaii/fts
- SA’s Addiction Treatment Services provides a comprehensive continuum of effective treatment services for adults, including detox, residential, and outpatient services. Services are open to anyone who is 18-years-old or older and has a primary problem of alcohol and/or drug use. Most insurance plans are accepted.
- 3624 Waokanaka Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
- (808) 595-6371
- https://hawaii.salvationarmy.org/hawaii/ats
- SA’s Family Treatment Services offers a continuum of care for women wanting help with their alcohol/drug addiction. Provides residential and outpatient substance use treatment that addresses the special needs of women including support for their children. Ongoing supports that lead to self-sufficiency.
Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Honolulu Police Department or 911 when faced with a situation that calls for de-escalation and/or intervention.
We have tried to indicate where police or law enforcement may work with the alternative resources listed; please let us know if you have any concerns about these resources.
Reimagine public safety. Don’t call the police.