Assisted Living in Hawaii

Assisted living in Hawaii provides older adults with a safe, supportive lifestyle in a uniquely scenic setting. Communities in places like Kailua-Kona and Pearl City, as well as Honolulu and Hilo, offer help with activities of daily living, medication management, and engaging social programs. Residents can enjoy year-round warm weather, ocean views, and dramatic mountain and volcanic landscapes that make daily life feel distinctively tropical. Hawaii’s higher overall cost of living is reflected in senior care pricing. In 2026, the average cost of assisted living in the state is approximately $6,100 per month, or about $73,100 per year, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.

Across A Place for Mom’s partner communities, the average cost of assisted living in Hawaii is 2026 $6,100 per month. This is about $1,300 more expensive than the national average of $4,726. This cost includes the base room and board at our partner facilities. Specialized care services and amenities are typically billed separately. Several factors affect the monthly cost of assisted living, including room size and layout, care needs, and luxury amenities.

While there aren’t any nearby states to compare, those on the West Coast of the mainland United States, such as California, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington, feature lower average monthly costs for assisted living. Within the state, the average monthly cost for assisted living in Hauula is a bit lower than the state average. The island of Kauai, with towns such as Kupolo and Lihue, offers about $200 savings per month. On the west side of the Big Island, Captain Cook, Honaunau-Napoopoo, and Kahaluu-Keauhou offer savings of about $5,875 per month.

Seniors who can complete activities of daily living on their own and are looking to maintain an active, connected lifestyle can save around $100 per month in one of Hawaii’s independent living communities.

Read more:Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: What’s the Difference?

Seniors often use a mix of personal funds, insurance, and public assistance programs to cover the cost of assisted living. Because costs and eligibility can vary widely, it’s best to plan early to understand which payment options apply to your loved one’s situation. In the following sections, you’ll find helpful tips on common payment methods. For a more in-depth look at how seniors pay for assisted living, see our guide to paying for long-term care.

Private pay options

Most families in Hawaii turn to personal, or private, funding sources to pay for assisted living. These include income from retirement and investment accounts, Social Security retirement benefits, and pensions. Other options include proceeds from the sale of a house, health savings accounts (HSAs), retirement savings, and more.

VA benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several benefit programs that veterans and their surviving spouses may use to offset the cost of assisted living. Veterans who are unsure of their eligibility for these benefits, or who need help applying for them, should contact an accredited benefits counselor. The State of Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services maintains several offices throughout the state. Find an office close to your loved one or call the main office at 808-433-0420.

Medicaid

Medicaid is an insurance program for low-income seniors that’s jointly administered by the federal and state governments. In Hawaii, Medicaid is known as Med-QUEST, and while it won’t pay for room and board in assisted living, it can help cover certain health and personal care services.

Hawaii’s regular Medicaid plan for aged, blind, and disabled residents, as well as its QUEST Integration program, can be used to cover services that include but aren’t limited to:

• Help with activities of daily living
• Homemaker services
• Personal emergency response systems
• Respite care

If you or your loved one has questions about Med-QUEST, contact a local office or call 800-316-8005.

Medicare

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and for younger people who have certain conditions. Medicare won’t pay for room and board in assisted living, but it may cover medically necessary services and products, such as doctor’s visits, medications, durable medical equipment, and more.^[04] For application help and advocacy, seniors can contact the Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, unbiased, and personalized guidance.

In Hawaii, assisted living communities must be licensed by the Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA). There are two types of licenses: assisted living facilities and adult residential care homes. Both types of facilities provide 24-hour access to services, including personal and health care, either on- or off-site. Adult residential care homes are smaller, typically with five or fewer residents, while assisted living facilities are larger and offer more social amenities in an apartment-style setting.

Both assisted living facilities and adult residential care homes must be inspected upon licensure and again on an ongoing basis. This and other assisted living regulations in Hawaii specify minimum standards for resident care, facility operations, and staff training to ensure residents receive safe, high-quality care.

How to check license status and inspection reports for Hawaii assisted living facilities

The Hawaii Office of Health Care Assurance offers a searchable database of health care facilities, including assisted living facilities.

Why do licensure and inspection reports matter to families?

State regulations — and a community’s track record with inspections and licensing — offer important insights into safety and quality of care in senior living communities.

Download the Guide to Senior Living Licensure and Inspection Reports to learn what to look for in inspection reports and what questions to ask when touring communities. This resource explains how to use state licensure and inspection information to evaluate a community’s compliance, care standards, and responsiveness to issues.