Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: April 27, 2026
Bottom line: Hawaii has four county Area Agencies on Aging. They help older adults, caregivers, and many people with disabilities find local services such as meals, rides, in-home help, caregiver respite, Medicare counseling, and long-term care options. Start with the Hawaiʻi ADRC, which connects people to the right county office and support path.
Contents
- Urgent help in Hawaii
- Quick start
- County directory
- Key Hawaii facts
- What AAAs do
- Major services
- How to start
- Phone scripts
- Reality checks
- Spanish summary
- FAQs
Urgent help in Hawaii
Call 911 first if someone is in danger, needs emergency medical care, or may be hurt today. Do not wait for an aging office to call back in an emergency.
| Problem | Fastest starting point | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| Abuse, neglect, or exploitation | Call Adult Protective Services at 808-832-5115, or use Adult Protective Services for the state report form. | “I need to report possible harm to a vulnerable adult.” |
| Food, shelter, bills, or local crisis help | Dial 211 or use Aloha United Way 211 for statewide social service referrals. | “I am an older adult and need help in my ZIP code.” |
| Long-term care or home help | Call Hawaiʻi ADRC at 808-643-2372. | “I need help staying at home safely.” |
| Medicare plan or bill problem | Call Hawaii SHIP at 808-586-7299 or 1-888-875-9229. | “I need free Medicare counseling.” |
Quick start: where to call first
If you are not sure where to begin, call the statewide ADRC number at 808-643-2372. The state aging office works with county Area Agencies on Aging to help older adults live at home for as long as possible.
| If you need help with… | Start here | Why this is usually first |
|---|---|---|
| Meals, rides, chores, personal care, or adult day services | Your county Area Agency on Aging | County offices screen for local services and waiting lists. |
| Caregiver stress or respite | Your county Area Agency on Aging | Caregiver programs are often handled through the same aging office. |
| Medicare, Medigap, Part D, or plan choices | Hawaii SHIP | SHIP gives one-to-one Medicare counseling at no charge. |
| Medicaid long-term care | Med-QUEST and ADRC | Med-QUEST handles coverage, while ADRC helps with service paths. |
| Emergency utility help | H-HEAP community action agency | Applications are handled by local community action programs. |
For a wider state benefits overview, use our Hawaii benefits guide after you know which local office serves your county.
Hawaii Area Agencies on Aging directory
Hawaii’s aging system is county based. Your county office is the best place to ask about local meals, rides, in-home help, caregiver support, and care planning. The home services page lists core services and county contacts for older adults age 60 and older.
| County or island area | Area Agency on Aging | Main phone | Good first ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oʻahu / Honolulu County | Honolulu EAD | 808-768-7700 | Ask for the Senior Helpline and a screening for meals, rides, benefits, or long-term care support. |
| Hawaiʻi Island | Hawaiʻi County Aging | Hilo: 808-961-8626 Kona: 808-323-4390 |
Ask for ADRC intake and say which side of the island you live on. |
| Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi | Maui Office | Maui: 808-270-7774 Molokaʻi: 808-553-5241 Lānaʻi: 808-565-6818 |
Ask about Maui County services and say if you were affected by a disaster or have transport barriers. |
| Kauaʻi and Niʻihau | Kauaʻi Elderly Affairs | 808-241-4470 | Ask for intake through the county ADRC and mention any caregiver or home safety concerns. |
Key Hawaii facts that shape senior services
Hawaii’s need for aging services is large and local. The Census QuickFacts page shows that 21.5% of Hawaii residents are age 65 or older, 24.7% speak a language other than English at home, and the 2020-2024 median gross rent was $1,971. These facts matter because they affect waitlists, language access, transportation, and housing stress.
| Hawaii fact | Why it matters | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| More than 1 in 5 residents is 65 or older. | Demand can be high for meals, rides, care planning, and in-home help. | “Is there a waiting list, and can I be screened now?” |
| Many homes speak a language other than English. | People may need an interpreter or translated forms. | “Can you get an interpreter for my language?” |
| Housing costs are high. | Rent, taxes, and utility bills may push seniors to seek more than one program. | “Can you refer me for housing and bill help too?” |
| Neighbor island travel can be hard. | Service choices may differ by island and district. | “What is actually available where I live?” |
What Area Agencies on Aging do in Hawaii
An Area Agency on Aging, often called an AAA, is not just a phone number. It is the county office that plans, funds, and coordinates many services for older adults. In Hawaii, AAAs also connect with the Aging and Disability Resource Center system, so one call can lead to several possible service paths.
Most people call for one of four reasons. They need help at home, they are caring for someone else, they need a ride or meals, or they do not know which benefit office to call. The aging office can screen your need, explain local options, and refer you to the right provider. It may also tell you when a program is full, closed, or not the best fit.
AAAs are especially useful when a senior has more than one problem. For example, a person may need home-delivered meals, a shower chair, help with Medicare bills, and a ride to the doctor. A county aging office may not pay for every item, but it can help sort the order of steps.
Major services and what to expect
Information and assistance
What it helps with: Finding programs, phone numbers, local providers, forms, and next steps. This is often the first service a caller gets.
Who may qualify: Most information help is open to older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities. Some follow-up services have age, need, funding, or county rules.
Where to apply: Call your county office or the statewide ADRC number.
Reality check: Staff may give referrals instead of direct services. Ask for the exact name, phone number, and next step before you hang up.
Meals and nutrition
What it helps with: Congregate meals, home-delivered meals, nutrition advice, and seasonal food help. Older adults who can leave home may be sent to a group meal site. People who are homebound or at nutrition risk may be screened for meal delivery.
Who may qualify: Many Older Americans Act nutrition services focus on adults age 60 and older. Priority often goes to people with high need, limited support, disability, low income, or rural access problems.
Where to apply: Start with your county office. For seasonal produce coupons, the SFMNP page lists the senior farmers market program and local agency contacts.
Reality check: Meal sites, delivery days, and menus can change by island. Ask if there is a waiting list and whether frozen or shelf-stable meals are available while you wait.
Transportation
What it helps with: Rides to medical visits, meal sites, shopping, and other needed trips. Some services include escort help for people who cannot travel safely alone.
Who may qualify: Rules depend on the county and the ride program. Medical rides and rides for people with few other options often get priority.
Where to apply: Call your county aging office. If your health plan covers Medicaid, ask about non-emergency medical transportation through your plan too.
Reality check: Same-day rides are not the norm. Ask how many days ahead to call, whether rides cross district lines, and what happens if your appointment runs late.
In-home help and Kupuna Care
What it helps with: Personal care, homemaker help, chores, respite, adult day care, and case management. Hawaii’s home and community services are meant to help older adults stay active and independent at home.
Who may qualify: Services often focus on adults age 60 and older who have daily living needs, frailty, low support, or safety risks. Some services may use a need assessment and county funding rules.
Where to apply: Call your county office and ask for a screening for in-home support. Seniors who also need housing help can review our housing help guide for separate housing paths.
Reality check: In-home programs may not cover all hours a family wants. Ask what services are open now and what backup steps you can take.
Caregiver support and respite
What it helps with: Support for family caregivers, training, counseling, respite breaks, and referrals. A caregiver may be a spouse, adult child, grandchild, friend, or neighbor.
Who may qualify: Programs often serve people caring for an older adult, and some also serve older relative caregivers. The county office will ask about the care receiver and the caregiver’s stress level.
Where to apply: Call your county office and say you are a caregiver. If you are also looking at paid care paths, our caregiver pay options guide can help you ask better questions.
Reality check: Respite hours are usually limited. Ask whether adult day care, in-home respite, or caregiver training is the fastest opening.
Medicare help
What it helps with: Medicare choices, Part D drug plans, Medigap, Medicare Advantage, bills, appeals, and ways to reduce costs.
Who may qualify: Hawaii SHIP serves people with Medicare, families, caregivers, and agencies. The service is counseling, not insurance sales.
Where to apply: The official Hawaii SHIP page lists the state phone numbers for free counseling. You can also use our SHIP and SMP guide to prepare before calling.
Reality check: Open Enrollment periods can be busy. Have your Medicare card, drug list, pharmacy name, and current plan card ready before you call.
Med-QUEST and long-term services
What it helps with: Hawaii’s QUEST Integration can cover medical care and, for people who meet the required level of care, long-term services and supports such as adult day care, assisted living services, home-delivered meals, personal assistance, respite, and nursing facility care.
Who may qualify: You must meet Med-QUEST rules. Long-term services also require a care-level review and plan approval.
Where to apply: Use Med-QUEST for Medicaid coverage questions and ask your county aging office for help understanding local care options. The official QUEST benefits page lists covered benefit types.
Reality check: Medicaid and service approval are not the same thing. A person can have Medicaid and still need a separate service review. If assisted living is being discussed, our assisted living costs guide may help with payment questions.
Legal help, fraud, and rights
What it helps with: Some AAA-funded legal help may cover benefits, housing, elder rights, and other civil issues for older adults. Senior Medicare Patrol helps with suspected Medicare fraud, errors, and scams.
Who may qualify: Legal programs may use age, issue type, and priority rules. Fraud help can start with a call even if you are not sure a crime happened.
Where to apply: Ask your county office about legal referrals. For Medicare fraud concerns, use SMP Hawaii or call 808-586-7281.
Reality check: Legal help may not take every case. Ask for referral options and deadlines if your issue involves an appeal, eviction, debt, or benefit denial.
Energy, food, and other backup help
What it helps with: Some needs are not solved by the aging office alone. Utility shutoff, grocery needs, medical equipment, and tax stress may need separate programs.
Who may qualify: Each program has its own rules. Some use income, age, disability, household size, or crisis status.
Where to apply: Check H-HEAP for utility help. For groceries, our SNAP guide explains what older adults should ask before applying.
Reality check: Do not assume one office can fix everything. Ask the aging office, “What should I call first, second, and third?” If you need equipment, our medical equipment reuse guide may be useful.
How to start without wasting time
- Call the right county office. Use the county directory above, or call the statewide ADRC number at 808-643-2372.
- Say the main problem first. Start with safety, food, housing, care at home, caregiver burnout, or transportation.
- Ask for screening. Do not only ask for a brochure. Say, “Can I be screened for services?”
- Ask what is open now. Some services may have waiting lists. Ask what can start soon and what has a delay.
- Write down names. Keep the date, staff name, phone number, and next step in one place.
Information to have ready
| Item | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Name, age, address, phone number, and county | The county office must know where services would be provided. |
| Medicare, Med-QUEST, or health plan card | Useful for health, transportation, and care questions. |
| Doctor, clinic, and appointment details | Needed when asking about medical rides or care planning. |
| List of daily tasks that are hard | Helps staff screen for home help, adult day care, respite, or case management. |
| Income and household size | Needed for some food, utility, Medicaid, and low-cost programs. |
| Caregiver name and stress level | Helps the office see if caregiver support is needed too. |
Phone scripts you can use
First call to the aging office
“Hello, my name is [name]. I am [age] and live in [town or ZIP code]. I need help with [meals, rides, home care, caregiver support, or benefits]. Can you screen me for services and tell me what is available in my county?”
Calling for a parent or spouse
“I am calling for my [mother, father, spouse, or friend]. They live in [town]. They are having trouble with [bathing, cooking, getting to the doctor, memory, falls, or loneliness]. What information do you need to see if help is available?”
Asking for respite
“I am a caregiver and I am getting worn down. I need a safe break and help planning care. Are there respite, adult day, support group, or training options in my area?”
Following up after no call back
“I called on [date] and was told the next step would be [step]. I have not heard back. Can you check the status and tell me the next action I should take?”
Reality checks before you apply
- County rules can differ: What is open on Oʻahu may not be open on a neighbor island in the same way.
- Funding can run out: Some services depend on state, federal, county, or grant funding.
- Help may not start fast: Screening, assessments, provider openings, and paperwork can take time.
- Medicaid is separate: Med-QUEST coverage does not always mean every home service starts right away.
- Language help is worth asking for: If English is hard, ask for an interpreter before forms or screening.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Calling only one program and stopping when the answer is “no.”
- Asking for “any help” instead of naming the problem.
- Waiting until a caregiver is burned out before asking about respite.
- Missing Medicare or benefit deadlines because you were waiting for another office.
- Assuming a program is free without asking about donations, cost shares, or covered services.
- Sending utility help papers to the wrong office. H-HEAP applications are handled by community action programs, not standard DHS offices.
What to do if delayed, denied, or overwhelmed
Start by asking for the reason in simple words. A delay may mean missing papers, no provider opening, a need for assessment, or a waiting list. A denial may mean the program rules do not fit your need, but another program might.
- Ask for the next step: “What can I do today to move this forward?”
- Ask for options: “If this program is full, what is the backup?”
- Ask about appeal rights: If a benefit or health plan denies care, ask for the notice and appeal deadline.
- Use 211: If you need help outside aging services, 211 may find food, housing, bill, and local nonprofit options.
- Use related guides: For emergencies, see our emergency aid guide, and for local community options, see senior centers.
Local resources that may help next
The right next step depends on the problem. Our Hawaii guides can help you prepare questions before calling an official office.
- For Medicare premium and cost help, use our Medicare Savings help guide.
- For homeowners, see property tax relief before county deadlines pass.
- For older veterans and spouses, review veterans benefits and ask about VA and county referrals.
- For dental needs, see dental help and ask whether low-cost clinics or community programs are available.
Resumen en español
Hawaii tiene cuatro oficinas del condado para personas mayores. Estas oficinas ayudan con comidas, transporte, cuidado en el hogar, apoyo para cuidadores, Medicare, servicios de largo plazo y referidos locales. Si no sabe a quién llamar, llame al Hawaiʻi ADRC al 808-643-2372.
Si hay peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para abuso, negligencia o explotación de un adulto vulnerable, llame a Adult Protective Services al 808-832-5115. Para ayuda con comida, vivienda, cuentas o recursos locales, marque 211.
Antes de llamar, tenga su dirección, condado, edad, número de teléfono, tarjetas de Medicare o Med-QUEST, lista de medicinas y una lista de las tareas diarias que son difíciles. Pida una evaluación de servicios y pregunte si hay lista de espera.
About this guide
We check this guide against official government, local agency, and trusted nonprofit sources. GrantsForSeniors.org is independent and is not a government agency.
Program rules, funding, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply.
See something wrong or outdated? Email info@grantsforseniors.org with details.
Last updated: April 27, 2026
Next review: August 1, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Which Area Agency on Aging should I call in Hawaii?
Call the agency for the county where the older adult lives. Use Honolulu for Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi County for Hawaiʻi Island, Maui County for Maui, Molokaʻi, or Lānaʻi, and Kauaʻi County for Kauaʻi or Niʻihau. If you are not sure, call Hawaiʻi ADRC at 808-643-2372.
Do I have to be low income to call?
No. You can call for information and referrals even if you are not low income. Some services, such as meals, home help, utility help, or Medicaid long-term services, may have need, age, income, or funding rules.
Can an Area Agency on Aging help with Medicare?
Yes, the aging network can refer you to Hawaii SHIP. SHIP gives free Medicare counseling and can help with plan choices, drug coverage, billing issues, and questions about help paying Medicare costs.
Can I get help if I live on a neighbor island?
Yes, but service choices may be different by island and district. Call the county office that serves your island and ask what is open now, what has a waitlist, and whether phone, in-home, or local site help is available.
Can the aging office help me stay at home?
It may help. County offices can screen for home-delivered meals, personal care, chores, adult day services, caregiver support, and other local options. Some services need an assessment and may have limited openings.
What if I think an older adult is being abused?
Call 911 if there is immediate danger. For suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or serious self-neglect of a vulnerable adult, call Adult Protective Services at 808-832-5115.
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