Find Help in Hawaii
106 government-validated organizations serving Hawaii — housing counselors, credit counselors, debtor education providers, and legal aid offices.
Why Hawaii Residents Need Help
Hawaii's overall distress metrics fall near or below national averages, though a $83,480 total debt balance per adult with a credit file stands out. The 106 organizations below serve residents regardless of where the state ranks — individual financial hardship doesn't follow state averages.
14 of Hawaii's 15 HUD-approved housing counselors offer foreclosure and default counseling. 2 agencies serve in Spanish, with 2 non-English languages available across all agencies. 2 offer reverse mortgage counseling.
15 of the 42 DOJ-approved credit counselors serving Hawaii offer in-person sessions, and 38 offer online counseling. For the post-filing debtor education course, 10 of 48 providers offer in-person classes.
1 of Hawaii's 1 LSC-funded legal aid organization is also HUD-approved, meaning it can provide both legal representation and housing counseling.
Housing Counselors (15)
HUD-approved agencies providing free foreclosure prevention counseling, mortgage assistance, and financial guidance.
Credit Counselors (42)
Agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Justice provide the required pre-filing credit counseling for bankruptcy, plus general debt management plans.
Debtor Education (48)
U.S. Department of Justice-approved providers offer the required post-filing debtor education course in bankruptcy proceedings.
Legal Aid (1)
Federally funded legal aid organizations providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals facing foreclosure, debt, and housing issues.
Legal Aid Society of Hawaii
Also HUD-ApprovedForeclosure in Hawaii
Read the full Hawaii foreclosure law guide — timeline, protections, redemption rights, and anti-deficiency rules.
Most-Complained-About Mortgage Servicer in Hawaii
Bank Of America, National Association leads with 232 mortgage complaints recorded by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Hawaii (out of 1,446 total across all servicers). If you're having issues with your servicer, a HUD-approved counselor can help you navigate the complaint process.
File a CFPB complaint · View full Bank Of America, National Association complaint profile
Hawaii Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many verified help providers are in Hawaii?
There are 106 government-validated organizations serving Hawaii: 15 HUD-approved housing counselors, 42 DOJ-approved credit counselors, 48 debtor education providers, and 1 LSC-funded legal aid offices. Of the 15 counselors, 14 offer foreclosure prevention services and 2 serve in Spanish.
Are housing counselors in Hawaii free?
Yes. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies provide foreclosure prevention counseling free of charge, and a counselor can help you talk to your mortgage servicer and understand any options it has offered. Hawaii uses dual-track foreclosure. In Hawaii, foreclosures that finished in the second quarter of 2026 took an average of 2,293 days from the start of the foreclosure process to completion, according to ATTOM. The earlier you contact a counselor, the more options you'll have. HUD's referral line is 1-800-569-4287.
What is the difference between credit counseling and debtor education in Hawaii?
Credit counseling is required before filing for bankruptcy — a counselor reviews your finances and discusses alternatives. Debtor education is required after filing — a course that covers budgeting, money management, and using credit wisely. Both are provided by U.S. Department of Justice-approved agencies. Hawaii had 1,194 bankruptcy filings last year (#42 nationally per capita). 59% were Chapter 7 liquidations and 40% were Chapter 13 repayment plans.
How do I qualify for free legal aid in Hawaii?
LSC-funded legal aid is available to low-income individuals, typically those earning below 125% of the federal poverty level. Each organization has its own intake process — call and ask about eligibility. Many can help with foreclosure defense, debt collection harassment, and housing disputes. Hawaii has 1 LSC-funded legal aid office — Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is the primary provider.
How current is this directory data?
Provider listings are pulled from federal government databases: the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Counselor API, the U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Trustee Program approved-agency feeds, and the Legal Services Corporation grantee database. Data is refreshed periodically from these official sources.
What type of foreclosure does Hawaii use?
Hawaii uses dual-track foreclosure. In Hawaii, foreclosures that finished in the second quarter of 2026 took an average of 2,293 days from the start of the foreclosure process to completion, according to ATTOM. Individual cases vary. Lenders may choose either path, so timelines vary. See our full Hawaii foreclosure law guide for details on protections, redemption rights, and homestead exemptions.
What are the top mortgage complaints in Hawaii?
Hawaii has 1,446 mortgage complaints on record from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau across the mortgage servicers we track. The most-complained-about servicer is BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION with 232 complaints. If you're having issues with your servicer, a HUD-approved counselor can help you navigate the complaint process, or you can file a CFPB complaint directly. See BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION's full complaint profile.