Hawai‘i

Status of Medical Aid in Dying

Medical aid in dying is currently authorized in Hawai‘i. Legislation to improve the Our Care, Our Choice Act (OCOCA) passed and was signed by Governor Josh Green on June 2, 2023. Read about the improvements here.

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Find free advance directives and instructions for each state that can be opened as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file
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Hawai‘i Stories

Latest Hawai‘i News

Updated Introduction to Medical Aid in Dying State Packets
August 7, 2024

Our Introduction to Medical Aid in Dying state packets help explain the medical aid in dying process in jurisdictions where it is authorized*. Compassion & Choices updated the packets to be the most comprehensive resource for those wanting to understand or use medical aid-in-dying laws.

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AANHPI Month: Celebrating Arts and Culture in Hawai‘i
May 12, 2023

In a warm virtual welcome at the 2023 Hawai’i Arts Summit Eō: Calling out the Future!, Chief Engagement Officer Brandi Alexander introduced Compassion & Choices to more than 100 leaders of Hawaiian businesses, arts organizations and community based organizations.  Alexander’s message, reflecting on the role of art as the foundation for communication, transformation and meaning, expanded…

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End-of-Life Options Bills Moving Forward Nationwide
March 22, 2022

This legislative session is showing great promise, with encouraging progress in several states. Connecticut The Connecticut General Assembly’s Public Health Committee gave a bipartisan vote of 22-9 on March 4 in support of a medical aid-in-dying-bill. Advocates urged lawmakers to approve the bill, which has been referred to the Senate for action. “We hope the…

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Supporter Spotlight: Dr. Charlotte Charfen
March 20, 2022

Counting patients among her greatest teachers, Hawaii physician Charlotte Charfen has gradually shifted her focus to end-of-life care. A board certified emergency medicine physician for over 20 years, Dr. Charlotte Charfen had to get comfortable with death. “I think people have a perception that emergency medicine is all about saving lives and don’t actually recognize…

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DOH Releases 2020 Report on Our Care, Our Choice Act
July 7, 2021

HONOLULU — The Department of Health has released its annual report detailing usage information during the first two years of the Our Care, Our Choice Act (OCOCA) (Jan. 1, 2019 – Dec. 31, 2020). The law gives mentally capable, terminally ill adults with six months or less to live the option of medication they can…

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Remembering John Radcliffe
August 13, 2020

Our friend and champion, John Radcliffe, died Tuesday night after a long battle with cancer. John was a tireless advocate for medical aid in dying in Hawai`i. Diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2014, he dedicated his final years to getting the Our Care, Our Choice Act passed. The day it went into effect, January 1,…

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Note From the CEO: July
July 23, 2020

As protests for racial justice in Portland continue and new images of the federal response emerge, I want to express my concern for the safety of the many Compassion & Choices staff, supporters, volunteers and allies who live there. Please know that we are thinking of you during this tumultuous time.   As a mom myself,…

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