Hawaii Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Hawaii assisted living facility (ALF). Immediate reporting tools, residents' rights, and legal advocacy for residents and families.
Reviewed by Nick Kassatly, Esq. · Published June 30, 2026 · Updated July 23, 2026
Hawaii Department of Health, Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA), State Licensing Section
Hawaii Adult Protective Services
To report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Serving as an advocacy program to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents in long-term care facilities.
To report an assisted living facility in Hawaii, contact Hawaii Department of Health, Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA), State Licensing Section at 808-692-7400 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Hawaii Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 1-888-229-2231.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Hawaii assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Hawaii, assisted living facilities are licensed as Assisted Living Facilities and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Hawaii
Assisted living facilities in Hawaii are licensed and investigated by the Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA) within the Department of Health, under Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 11, Chapter 90. Smaller residential settings are licensed separately as Adult Residential Care Homes. Because assisted living is not certified by Medicare the way skilled nursing homes are, the state is the primary authority that sets standards, conducts inspections, and responds to complaints about these facilities.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in Hawaii
You can report a concern to the Office of Health Care Assurance's State Licensing Section at 808-692-7400, by completing the complaint request on the OHCA website, or by faxing a complaint form to 808-692-7414. Complaints may be made orally or in writing, and you may file anonymously. When you report, give as much detail as you can — the facility name and address, the resident's name, the names of staff involved, and the specific dates, times, and events — so investigators have what they need to act.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in Hawaii
Hawaii does not issue a separate memory care license. Instead, memory care and dementia care are offered as services within licensed assisted living facilities, which must develop an individualized care plan for each resident and provide the personal care and supervision that resident needs. Because there is no stand-alone dementia-unit rule, families should review a facility's specific policies, staffing, and security measures for residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Complaints about memory care are filed the same way as any other assisted living complaint, through the Office of Health Care Assurance.
HawaiiAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Hawaii Licenses Assisted Living
Hawaii licenses assisted living facilities as Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) under the Department of Health, Office of Health Care Assurance, governed by Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 11, Chapter 90. Smaller residential settings are licensed separately as Adult Residential Care Homes. Hawaii does not issue a separate memory care license; dementia care is offered as a service within licensed assisted living facilities.
Statute of Limitations
2 years
In Hawaii, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 2 years. Claims may fall under either personal injury or medical malpractice statutes, depending on the specific circumstances. It is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to understand the specific deadlines that apply to your case, as missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim.
Complaint Types Investigated
Abuse and neglect, medication errors, inadequate staffing, unsafe or unsanitary conditions, financial exploitation, improper evictions or transfers, and violations of residents' rights.
What Happens After You File
Investigation Timeline
After a complaint is received, the Office of Health Care Assurance reviews it and prioritizes the investigation based on the severity of the alleged harm. Complaints alleging immediate jeopardy to a resident's health or safety are investigated on an expedited basis, while other complaints are scheduled according to risk.
Unannounced Inspections
Complaint investigations and licensing inspections of assisted living facilities are generally conducted unannounced so that surveyors can observe day-to-day conditions and care as they actually are.
Complainant Notification
If you provide your contact information, the Office of Health Care Assurance generally notifies you of the outcome of the investigation once it is complete. Anonymous complainants will not receive follow-up because there is no way to reach them.
Enforcement Actions
When deficiencies are found, the Office of Health Care Assurance can require a plan of correction and may impose fines, place conditions on a license, restrict admissions, or move to suspend or revoke a facility's license for serious or repeated violations. Cases involving abuse or criminal conduct may be referred to law enforcement or Adult Protective Services.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Hawaii. The Office of Health Care Assurance accepts anonymous complaints, and your identity as a complainant is protected. Providing your contact information allows investigators to follow up for additional details, which can strengthen the investigation.
Official Sources
- Complaint filing — Hawaii Department of Health, Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA), State Licensing Section: health.hawaii.gov
- Resident rights — Haw. Admin. R. Title 11, Chapter 90 (Assisted Living Facility): law.cornell.edu
- Hawaii Long-Term Care Ombudsman: hi-ltc-ombudsman.org
- Mailing address — Hawaii Department of Health, Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA), State Licensing Section: Department of Health, State Licensing Section, 601 Kamokila Boulevard, Room 361, Kapolei, HI 96707
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a Hawaii assisted living complaint anonymously?expand_more
What number do I call, and how fast is a complaint investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility in Hawaii?expand_more
Not Sure Where to Start?
Speak with an advocate who can guide you through the reporting process and help evaluate your family's legal options.