Hawaii Justice Foundation
The Hawaii Justice Foundation (HJF) is an independent, tax-exempt grantmaking organization based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Established in 1969, it is a public charity whose stated purpose is to achieve justice for Hawaii’s people through law-related philanthropy.
Hawaii Justice Foundation at a glance
In short: Hawaii Justice Foundation gave $2.7M across 27 grants in 2024 (avg $98K), mostly in Hawaii. 8% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,657,169
- +42.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 27
- +12.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $98,414
- +26.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $15,053,701
- +33.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (2 of 26, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Hawaii (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Hawaii Justice Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 4750, Honolulu, HI 96812
Phone: (808) 537-3886
Website: https://hawaiijustice.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Hawaii Justice Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Legal Aid Society of Hawaii ($450K). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
125 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 83 grants of 125 (66%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Hawaii.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Hawaii Justice Foundation open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 26 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $108K. How we count
Medians: $35K first-time, $60K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $801K (2022) to $2.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 27 grants totaling $2.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Aid Society of Hawaii Honolulu, HI | See Part IV | $450,000 |
| Domestic Violence Action Center Honolulu, HI | See Part IV | $360,000 |
| Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii Honolulu, HI | See Part IV | $360,000 |
| The Legal Clinic Honolulu, HI | See Part IV | $232,000 |
| Mediation Center of the Pacific Inc Honolulu, HI | See Part IV | $200,000 |
| Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice Honolulu, HI | See Part IV | $150,000 |
| Kauai Economic Opportunity Inc KEO Mediation Operations Lihue, HI | See Part IV | $100,000 |
| Kuikahi Mediation Center Inc Hilo, HI | See Part IV | $100,000 |
| Mediation Services of Maui Wailuku, HI | See Part IV | $100,000 |
| West Hawaii Mediation Center Kamuela, HI | See Part IV | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Hawaii Justice Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $15,053,701 | $7,040,685 | $3,720,217 | $2,657,169 | 27 | $363,369 |
| 2023 | $11,256,093 | $6,037,471 | $2,167,467 | $1,864,650 | 24 | $159,584 |
| 2022 | $6,864,658 | $1,776,599 | $1,024,662 | $800,500 | 24 | $74,862 |
| 2021 | $6,871,556 | $406,666 | $1,041,988 | $854,500 | 25 | $64,161 |
| 2020 | $6,985,752 | $883,705 | $1,050,069 | $873,179 | 25 | $69,971 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
HJF’s stated mission is “to facilitate the public’s knowledge and understanding of the law, provide legal aid to the poor and improve the administration of justice.” Under its IOLTA program, interest from lawyers’ trust accounts supports legal assistance to people in need, improvements to the administration of justice, and other public-benefit programs approved by the Hawaii Supreme Court. HJF also describes its broader purpose as achieving justice for Hawaii’s people.
Recent grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii says its mission is to provide civil legal assistance to people unable to afford it in Hawaii. The Legal Clinic says it works for justice for low-income immigrants and migrants through immigration legal services, education, and advocacy. Mediation Services of Maui says it provides and facilitates dispute resolution, while Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation says it works to protect and advance Native Hawaiian identity and culture through legal and other advocacy services.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, HJF reported 27 grants totaling $2,657,169. Grants ranged from $11,000 to $450,000, with a median of $50,000. The largest reported awards included $450,000 to Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, $360,000 each to Domestic Violence Action Center and Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii, $232,000 to The Legal Clinic, and $200,000 to Mediation Center of the Pacific.
Other 2024 recipients included Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law ($150,000); Kauai Economic Opportunity, Kuikahi Mediation Center, Mediation Services of Maui, and West Hawaii Mediation Center ($100,000 each); Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation ($80,000); and Ethnic Education Foundation ($70,000). The grantees’ stated missions include community action and human services (Kauai Economic Opportunity), dispute resolution (Mediation Services of Maui and Kuikahi Mediation Center), and legal and other advocacy for Native Hawaiian identity and culture (Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation).
HJF’s 2025 annual report separately states that it distributed $3,350,000 in IOLTA grant awards in 2024. The annual report also says the Bretzlaff grants go to ten grantees each year; $147,000 was awarded through that program in 2025. These program figures are distinct from the 2024 grant total reported in the filing.
HJF says grantees must submit reports by March 31 of the year following an award, listing grant expenditures, successes, and challenges. Grantees are also periodically invited to board meetings to discuss their organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists William Hunt as president, Gary Slovin as president-elect, James Kawachika as vice president, Rhonda Griswold as secretary, and Jo Ann Takeuchi as treasurer. It also lists Gregory Markham, Doug McNish, Gary Thompson, Michael Anduha, and Nancy Budd as directors.
Hawaii Justice Foundation is led by Gary Slovin, President-El on every filing since 2020; 1 of 24 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Gary Slovin
President-El
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Hunt
President
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aviam Soifer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Daleiden
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Corey Park
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug McNish
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary Thompson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Markham
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jessi Hall
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Hayashi
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Anduha
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Budd
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Copeland
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Regan Iwao
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rex Fujichaku
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronald Ibarra
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Simeon Acoba
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Valerie Ito
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mihoko Ito
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dyan Mitsuyama
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert J. Leclair
Executive Di
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$107K (2020) → $126K (2024)
James Kawachika
Vice President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jo Ann Takeuchi
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rhonda Griswold
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Micah Smith (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Michael Tanigawa (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Michelle Kim Stone (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Dyan Mistuyama (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Irene Anzai (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $126K, to Robert J Leclair (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about Hawaii Justice Foundation
How much does Hawaii Justice Foundation give each year?
Hawaii Justice Foundation gave $2.7M across 27 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.9M across 24 grants.
What is Hawaii Justice Foundation's typical grant size?
Hawaii Justice Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $98,414, across 27 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Hawaii Justice Foundation that year got $35K on average.
Where does Hawaii Justice Foundation give grants?
Hawaii Justice Foundation gives mostly in Hawaii: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Honolulu, HI (18 grants), Wailuku, HI (2 grants), Lihue, HI (2 grants) and Hilo, HI (2 grants).
Does Hawaii Justice Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Hawaii Justice Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "See Part IV" (25 grants).
Who are Hawaii Justice Foundation's largest grantees?
Hawaii Justice Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Legal Aid Society of Hawaii ($450,000), Domestic Violence Action Center ($360,000) and Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii ($360,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Hawaii Justice Foundation?
Hawaii Justice Foundation reported $15.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.0M.
What does Hawaii Justice Foundation fund?
HJF’s stated mission is “to facilitate the public’s knowledge and understanding of the law, provide legal aid to the poor and improve the administration of justice.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Hawaii Justice Foundation?
Hawaii Justice Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check hawaiijustice.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Hawaii Justice Foundation's EIN?
Hawaii Justice Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7047345. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 30, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Hawaii Justice Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Hawaii Justice Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/hawaii-justice-foundation-morg_010ec316df3b469b850421fa0f0242da
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237047345_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Hawaii Justice Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/hawaii-justice-foundation-morg_010ec316df3b469b850421fa0f0242da},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Hawaii Justice Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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