Guide Dogs of Hawaiʻi provides free, customized support for blind and visually impaired people of all ages. Services include technology and adaptive aids, mobility training, youth programs, adult independence support, peer groups, and ongoing support for people who use guide dogs.
Guide Dogs of Hawaiʻi has supported Hawaiʻi’s blind and visually impaired community since 1955. Today, its work extends well beyond guide dogs, providing free, individualized services designed to help people navigate everyday life with greater independence.
Youth services provide technology and adaptive aids alongside social and leadership opportunities. Adult services include technology training, orientation and mobility support, wellness programs, positive-aging activities, and help with everyday challenges. For guide-dog handlers, the organization provides ongoing mobility support, veterinary and nutritional assistance, and preparation for guide-dog training. Monthly peer groups and community activities create additional opportunities for connection and sharing experiences.
The organization does not currently train guide dogs itself. Instead, it helps eligible Hawaiʻi residents prepare for guide-dog partnerships and supports them once they have one.
What Makes This Work Interesting
Independence can mean something very different when you cannot rely on sight to navigate the world. Guide Dogs of Hawaiʻi helps people develop practical tools for doing things many of us rarely think about: learning a new travel route, using technology without relying on a screen, navigating unfamiliar spaces, or figuring out how a guide dog partnership works. Its work shows that independence isn't one skill or one piece of equipment—it can be a combination of training, technology, confidence, and support.
SERVICE AREAS — Oʻahu • Statewide
WHO THEY HELP — Keiki & Youth • Kūpuna & Caregivers • People with Disabilities
WHAT THEY DO — Community & Family Support • Education & Youth Development • Health & Wellness
The Stories Behind the Work
We’ve had the chance to share an overview of their work on Here in Hawaiʻi.
But an overview doesn’t show the depth of what they do. There are so many stories to tell — the people they serve, the programs they make possible, the volunteers who show up, and the impact happening every day.
Help Tell Their Next Story
Want to see more of Guide Dogs of Hawaiʻi's work featured on Here in Hawaiʻi? You can help make it happen by sponsoring a story.
ABOUT THIS DIRECTORY
The nonprofits featured here are organizations we’ve connected with through our storytelling work and community outreach. Inclusion in this directory does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of an organization’s financial practices, governance, programs, or use of donations. We encourage you to learn more about any organization before choosing to support them.
