Office of Language Access

The Office of Language Access coordinates language access services across Hawaii state agencies, ensuring that individuals with limited English proficiency can access state programs and services as required by state and federal law. It sets standards for interpretation and translation, monitors agency compliance with language access plans, and provides technical assistance to agencies developing language access programs. The office's work is particularly significant in a state with significant communities speaking Ilocano, Tagalog, Japanese, Korean, and other languages.

Hawaii residents who are not fluent in English have a legal right to access state services in their language; this office is responsible for making sure state agencies honor that right.