Legal Navigator Press Release

 A recent survey by the Legal Services Corporation revealed that 59% of respondents did not seek legal assistance for significant civil matters, often due to a lack of awareness that legal help is needed, doubts about professional legal assistance, or cost barriers. LegalNavigatorHawaii.org aims to simplify access to reliable legal information, connect individuals with trusted resources, and guide them in developing effective plans to address their civil legal issues. 

Legal Navigator utilizes the latest web-based technologies to offer legal content, guided interviews, court forms, articles, and other resources in an easy-to-access format.  

The platform is divided into two primary sections: Guided Assistants and Topics and Resources. Guided Assistants consist of interviews that help create personal action plans by outlining steps to resolve legal issues, providing informational resources, and linking to interviews that automatically generate court forms. Currently, these Guided Assistants cover specific issues in family law and housing-related matters, with more to come in the future. The Topics and Resources section includes location filters for accessing legal articles, brochures, forms, and videos on numerous topics, along with referral information for local legal and social service providers. 

Legal Navigator also features a search function powered by SPOT, a machine-assisted issue spotter that allows users to search for legal resources using plain language. 

“We hope that Legal Navigator will serve as an accessible and adaptable platform that provides essential legal resources to address the civil legal needs of Hawai’i residents and continues to grow based on the needs of the communities we serve,” says Legal Aid Executive Director David Kauila Kopper. 

While Legal Navigator is focused on legal services within Hawaiʻi, its open-source code is available for adoption by any state. This project was generously supported by a Technology Innovation Grant from the Legal Services Corporation and Justice for Families funding from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), and is done in cooperation with the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary. 

 For more information about the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i visit www.legalaidhawaii.org.

About Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i:  

Legal Aid is a non-profit, public interest firm with 11 offices statewide dedicated to increasing access to justice.  Since its establishment in 1950, it has been the only statewide provider of general civil legal services to low-income and moderate-income members of our community.  Legal Aid’s services help resolve legal problems related to housing, family matters, immigration, incapacity planning, consumer issues, government benefits and health insurance.  

Media Contact: Perry Ironhill  

Donor and Communications Specialist  

Phone: 808-536-4302 

Email: [email protected]