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.

helo logo2 marktext1

Hawaiʻi End of Life Options empowers terminally ill residents seeking medical aid in dying (MAID) to approach their death in a manner that aligns with their wishes and values.

They educate patients and providers, connect people to resources, and provide navigation and support related to the Our Care, Our Choice Act.

End-of-Life Resources

Access Hawai‘i's form at CaringInfo

Find free advance directives and instructions for each state that can be opened as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file
Get Started

A note about medical aid in dying and crisis support

Medical aid in dying is for people who are already dying. It is a lawful medical option for qualified adults with a terminal illness, a prognosis of six months or less to live, who can make their own healthcare decisions and have the ability to take the medication themselves.

Medical aid in dying is not suicide or euthanasia. Compassion & Choices supports people seeking information about lawful end-of-life care options in the United States. We do not provide instructions or guidance for ending your life outside supportive medical care.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, in crisis, or thinking about suicide, help is available right now. You are not alone, and your pain deserves care. Call 988, text 988, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at https://988lifeline.org/chat/

Hawai‘i Stories

Latest Hawai‘i News

TERMINALLY ILL HAWAI`I MAN PLANS TO APPEAL DISMISSAL OF MEDICAL AID-IN-DYING CASE CITES OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR END-OF-LIFE CARE OPTION BY HAWAI`I VOTERS
July 17, 2017

A terminally ill Hawai`i man plans to appeal a ruling last night by a state court judge who dismissed his lawsuit that asserts the state constitution and existing state statutes allow doctors to practice medical aid in dying. Medical aid in dying gives mentally capable, terminally ill adults the option to get a doctor’s prescription for medication…

Read More
Medical Aid in Dying Act Passes Hawai‘i Senate
March 7, 2017

(HONOLULU – March 7, 2017)—In a full floor vote, the Hawai‘i Senate today voted 22 to 3 to approve  Senate Bill 1129, the Medical Aid in Dying Act, and refer it to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Medical aid in dying is an end-of-life medical practice in which a terminally ill, mentally capable…

Read More
Lawmakers Need to Pass a Bill to Allow Aid in Dying
February 12, 2017

      This op-ed by David Shapiro was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on February 12, 2017.  A friend bedridden by severe irreversible disease developed badly infected pressure sores. Facing prolonged hospital infection care that wouldn’t change the underlying disease that was rapidly progressing, she decided to go home and let sepsis take…

Read More
call compassion logo with phone number - 800-247-7421

To receive personalized support, resources, and information.
Leave a message at 800.247.7421 to get connected.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, or prefer written communication, you are welcome to reach us by email at [email protected]

General Mailing Address:
Compassion & Choices
8156 S Wadsworth Blvd #E-162
Littleton, CO 80128

Mail contributions directly to:
Compassion & Choices Gift Processing Center
PO Box 485
Etna, NH 03750

Compassion & Choices is a 501 C3 organization. Federal tax number: 84-1328829

candid seal platinum 2026
great non profits 2025
Question 1 of 14

Your information entered here will be included on the final copy of your Dementia Advance Directive (addendum).

Name
Birth Date
Paso 1 de 14

Yo estoy completando este documento porque quiero que mi(s) persona designada (s) en la toma de decisiones, médicos y equipo de atención médica, familia, cuidadores y seres queridos conozcan mis deseos respecto al tipo de cuidados que deseo si vivo con demencia.

Nombre
Fecha de nacimiento
Question 1 of 14

Your information entered here will be included on the final copy of your Dementia Advance Directive (addendum).

Name
Birth Date