Assisted Living in Hawaii: A Family Guide

Facts checked September 28, 2026 against official Hawaii sources

What assisted living is called in Hawaii, what it costs, how Medicaid can help, how to check a community’s license and inspections, and who to call if something goes wrong. Every fact links to the official source.

Licensed by

Hawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA), State Licensing Section¹

Licensed communities on Lilisity

532 assisted living

Typical cost

$12,096 a month (state median, CareScout 2025)

Long-term care ombudsman

1-888-229-2231²

What assisted living is called in Hawaii

• Assisted living facilityHousing combined with health care and personal support services, built around each resident's needs, choice, privacy, and independence.³
• Adult residential care home (ARCH)A care home with 24-hour living space for adults who need help with daily activities and personal care, but not nursing home level care.³
• Expanded adult residential care home (Expanded ARCH)A care home licensed to also take residents who need nursing home level care.⁴

What assisted living costs in Hawaii

The median cost of assisted living in Hawaii is $12,096 a month, above the national median of $6,200 (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, collected July to November 2025). Prices vary with the apartment, the level of care and the community, so ask each one for its current rate sheet, including care-level fees.

If more care is needed later: nursing home costs in Hawaii, with CareScout medians and the private-pay rates Hawaii nursing homes publish.

Plan with our free tools: how long will the money last? and home care or assisted living?

Paying for assisted living in Hawaii

Medicare does not pay for assisted living. Families pay from savings and income, long-term care insurance, or benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance (estimate it). Who actually pays for long-term care.

Medicaid. Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living. Whether Hawaii Medicaid pays for care services in assisted living, and which communities accept it, is a question for the state Medicaid agency or your local Area Agency on Aging.

How to check a community in Hawaii

Look up a license. The State Licensing Section posts a PDF list of licensed assisted living facilities and a combined ARCH and Expanded ARCH vacancy report, sorted by area or by name. Search Hawaii’s records.⁴

Lilisity shows Hawaii’s inspection record on each community’s page where the state publishes one: the state’s own records, dated and linked to the official source.

Always visit in person, at a mealtime or in the evening if you can. Bring the tour scorecard and the 8 tour questions.

If something goes wrong

Complaints about care or conditions. Since August 1, 2026, complaints about licensed care facilities must be filed through OHCA's Kahua Ike public portal (portal.ohcaportal.doh.hawaii.gov/complaints). file online.¹

Abuse, neglect or exploitation. Call (808) 832-5115. How to report.⁵ If someone is in danger, call 911.

The long-term care ombudsman is a free advocate for residents of assisted living and nursing homes: they help resolve problems with a community, including move-out notices. Call 1-888-229-2231 or find your local ombudsman.²

Find assisted living in Hawaii

Assisted living by city

Every community and county in Hawaii

Sources

1. Licensing agency, complaints (health.hawaii.gov)
2. Ombudsman (hi-ltc-ombudsman.org)
3. License types (capitol.hawaii.gov)
4. License types, license lookup (health.hawaii.gov)
5. Reporting abuse (humanservices.hawaii.gov)
6. CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 (state medians)

Facts checked against these official sources on September 28, 2026. Rules and programs change; confirm with the agency before making a decision. General information, not legal or financial advice.