The full story
Immigrant-led and immigrant-serving organizations, advocates, workers, students, and faith leaders — working together across the islands.
Rooted in community.
Guided by lived experience.
The Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights (HCIR) is a statewide coalition of immigrant-led and immigrant-serving organizations, advocates, workers, students, and faith leaders working together to advance justice and inclusion for immigrant and migrant communities across Hawaiʻi. Rooted in community and guided by lived experience, HCIR builds collective power through policy advocacy, education, and coalition organizing to protect rights, shape systems, and empower communities.
Our Mission
To protect rights, shape systems, and empower communities by advancing just and inclusive policies, strengthening community leadership, and ensuring immigrant voices are centered in decision-making across Hawaiʻi. HCIR builds collective power through advocacy, education, and partnership so that immigrant and migrant families thrive with dignity, equity, and full participation in community life.
MOur Vision
We envision a Hawaiʻi where all immigrants and their families belong, contribute, and lead — a state where belonging is reflected in law, community, and opportunity; where language and cultural diversity are strengths; and where systems are shaped by the people they serve.
VHCIR’s strategic approach centers on people, power, and policy. It grounds advocacy in lived experience, building collective community power, and advancing immigrant-centered policy change. Through education, organizing, and coalition-led advocacy, we protect rights, shape systems, and empower communities across Hawaiʻi.
HCIR’s historical timeline of impact
Fifteen years of showing up — from a founding coalition to an immigrant-centered future.
A coalition is formed
Faith leaders, attorneys, and organizations unite to advocate for better immigration laws.
Securing major policy wins
Achieved tuition equity for undocumented students and driver’s license access for all residents.
Re-formed to meet a crisis
Restructured as a community-led coalition in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Standing with communities in crisis
Ensured immigrant inclusion in response to the pandemic and the Maui wildfires.
Building power through education
Launched “Know Your Rights” trainings and the Young Leaders Advocacy Program.
An immigrant-centered future
Continuing to advance policy, expand language justice, and strengthen community power.
See the 2026 campaign victory →What our coalition tells us
We survey our member organizations to find the gaps between what communities need and what systems provide — then organize, advocate, and direct resources to close them. Data strengthens coordination, sharpens policy, and shows funders where investment matters most.
of member organizations serve communities in multiple languages…
…yet only 15% can offer formal translation or interpretation.
provide legal services, while every surveyed org serves Pacific Islander immigrants.
report statewide reach — but fewer than half are active on Hawaiʻi Island or Kauaʻi.
Sources: HCIR member survey · USAFacts, U.S. Census Bureau data, 2024.