Law Schools in Hawaii + LSAT Prep (2026 Guide)

Hawaii has one ABA accredited law school, the University of Hawaii at Manoa (Richardson), so the state is small for legal education. Its 2025 ABA 509 disclosure reports a median LSAT of 158, meaning the target for law schools in Hawaii centers on the high 150s. This guide covers the score you need, tuition, the bar exam, and the market.

By Ali Unar, Georgetown Law, Founder of Lovare Institut.

Ali Unar is a Georgetown Law student and the founder of Lovare Institut, an admissions and LSAT-prep practice built on primary-source law school data.

Verified August 2026.

What law schools are in Hawaii?

Hawaii has exactly one ABA accredited law school: the University of Hawaii (Richardson), located in Honolulu on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus. Because a single institution serves the entire state and every island, Hawaii is one of the smallest legal-education markets in the country. The table below lists the median LSAT, acceptance rate, and full-time tuition for that school, each figure taken from its 2025 ABA Standard 509 disclosure for the fall 2025 entering class.

SchoolMedian LSATAcceptance rateFull-time tuitionUniversity of Hawaii (Richardson)15826.2%$23,304

Each figure in the table above is drawn from the University of Hawaii (Richardson) 2025 ABA Standard 509 disclosure. The 509 disclosure is the annual, standardized report every ABA accredited school files, which is why it is the cleanest single source for comparing medians, acceptance rates, and tuition across law schools in Hawaii and beyond.

Two things stand out about the one law school in Hawaii. First, its median LSAT of 158 sits a few points above the national midpoint, so this is a school with a real admissions bar, not an open door. Second, and in tension with that, its acceptance rate of 26.2% from the 2025 ABA 509 disclosure is comparatively selective for a single-school state, which reflects both a strong local applicant pool and a small entering class. When you are deciding among law schools in Hawaii, you are really deciding whether the University of Hawaii (Richardson) fits your goals, because there is no in-state alternative accredited by the ABA.

The tuition picture is a genuine advantage. The University of Hawaii (Richardson) reports full-time tuition of $23,304 in its 2025 ABA 509 disclosure, which is low by national standards, especially for resident students. In a state where the cost of living is high, an affordable public law school tuition is a meaningful offset. Being honest about scale matters here: with one ABA law school, Hawaii does not offer the range of price points, specializations, and admissions profiles that a large mainland state provides. What it offers is a clear, single target at a strong public price, and the rest of this guide treats that school in depth.

What LSAT and GPA do you need for law school in Hawaii?

In-state median LSATs run from 158 to 158 across law schools in Hawaii, because the University of Hawaii (Richardson) is the only ABA school and its 2025 ABA 509 disclosure reports a median of 158. That single number is the anchor for everything below. The University of Hawaii (Richardson) is by definition both the top-median and the most accessible school in the state, since it is the only one, and its 26.2% acceptance rate from the same disclosure tells you this is a school that turns away roughly three of every four applicants.

A median is the 50th percentile: half of the enrolled class in Hawaii scored at or above 158, and half scored at or below it. If your LSAT is at or above 158, you are competitive at the University of Hawaii (Richardson) and you sit in the stronger half of the applicant pool, which also strengthens your standing for scholarship consideration. Because the acceptance rate here is more selective than at many single-school states, clearing the median matters more in Hawaii than the raw median alone would suggest.

If your LSAT is below 158, you are not automatically out, but you should be realistic. A 26.2% acceptance rate means the University of Hawaii (Richardson) is choosing carefully, so a below-median score needs support from the rest of your file to compete. Low-150s scorers are still admitted at schools like this when their applications are otherwise strong, but the margin is thinner than at a school admitting half its pool. The practical read is that mid-to-high 150s put you at or near the median in Hawaii, and a score of 158 or better is the safest position.

On GPA, the University of Hawaii (Richardson) 2025 ABA 509 spread shows a 25th-to-median GPA gap of 0.24, a moderate band. That gap indicates the school will consider applicants whose GPA sits somewhat below the class median, particularly when the LSAT is at or above 158, but the band is narrower than at the most GPA-forgiving schools. The packet does not publish the school's exact median GPA, so treat GPA as a factor that flexes around a solid LSAT rather than a fixed threshold. For applicants to law schools in Hawaii, the LSAT remains the most controllable and most decisive number.

Because there is only one ABA school in the state, your LSAT strategy for Hawaii is unusually focused. You are aiming to clear or beat 158, and given the selective 26.2% acceptance rate, each point above that median improves both your admission odds and your scholarship leverage at the University of Hawaii (Richardson). If a diagnostic puts you in the low 150s, a serious retake is often the single highest-return move, because at a selective single-school state, closing the gap to the median can be the difference between an admit and a wait.

Which Hawaii law schools are splitter friendly?

A splitter is an applicant with a high LSAT and a lower GPA; a reverse splitter has the opposite, a strong GPA paired with a lower LSAT. Schools that admit these profiles are called splitter friendly, and they reward applicants whose numbers are lopsided. Among law schools in Hawaii, the University of Hawaii (Richardson) reads as splitter friendly based on its 2025 ABA 509 disclosure.

The signal comes from the school's GPA spread. The University of Hawaii (Richardson) 25th-to-median GPA gap is 0.24, computed from its 2025 ABA 509 disclosure, wide enough to indicate the school will enroll students whose GPA sits below the class median when the LSAT carries the file. That is the splitter pattern: a candidate leans on a competitive LSAT to offset a softer GPA. If you have a 158 or better but an undergraduate record that dipped, Hawaii's only law school is a realistic target rather than a long shot, though the selective 26.2% acceptance rate means the rest of your application still has to be strong.

Because Hawaii has a single ABA school, there is no in-state reverse-splitter alternative to point to, and the packet does not identify the University of Hawaii (Richardson) as reverse-splitter friendly. If your profile is a high GPA with a lower LSAT, the guidance from the score section applies: the LSAT is where you should invest, because a stronger score does the most to move an application to law schools in Hawaii. In a one-school state, your splitter status is measured against a single admissions committee, which makes the University of Hawaii (Richardson) moderate GPA band a useful thing to understand before you apply.

What is the legal job market like in Hawaii?

The defining fact about the Hawaii legal market is retention. According to ABA Class of 2024 employment data, the University of Hawaii (Richardson) keeps 80% of its graduating class in Hawaii. That is a very high retention rate, and it tells you the state's only law school functions as the dominant pipeline into the Hawaii bar. If your goal is to practice in Hawaii, studying at the in-state school puts you inside the network of firms, courts, and agencies where four in five of your classmates will also work.

Hawaii's legal market is concentrated in Honolulu, the state capital and by far its largest city. Honolulu anchors the state's private firms, the state and federal courts, government legal offices, and the bulk of Hawaii's business and real estate practice. The neighbor islands, including Hawaii Island communities such as Hilo and Kailua-Kona and Maui's Kahului and Wailuku area, support smaller local bars, but the center of gravity for law schools in Hawaii graduates is unmistakably Honolulu. An 80% in-state retention rate means the vast majority of the class builds a career within the islands.

Be realistic about scale and geography. Hawaii is a single-school state with a modest population and a self-contained market separated by ocean from the mainland, so the number of large-firm and specialized positions is limited and the local bar is tight-knit. That isolation cuts two ways: it makes the in-state network and local connections especially valuable, and it makes lateral moves and outside recruiting less common than in mainland markets. The packet does not provide salary figures for Hawaii, so this guide does not estimate earnings; consult each employer and the school's detailed employment reports for compensation data rather than any national average.

The strategic takeaway is that Hawaii rewards commitment to the islands. Because 80% of the University of Hawaii (Richardson) class stays, the school's alumni network is exceptionally dense within Hawaii and thinner on the mainland. Applicants who intend to build a life and practice in Hawaii gain the most from the in-state school, while those aiming for a mainland career should weigh that the local advantages of studying at law schools in Hawaii are strongest for those who plan to stay.

Does Hawaii use the NextGen bar exam?

Hawaii has adopted the NextGen bar exam and will first administer it in July 2028, according to the NCBE. Unlike many states, Hawaii is not currently a Uniform Bar Exam jurisdiction: the NCBE lists Hawaii as administering its own exam rather than the UBE, and it will move to the NextGen format at the July 2028 sitting. This is an important distinction, because it changes how score portability works for anyone planning to practice across state lines from Hawaii.

For applicants planning a timeline, the implication is clear. If you graduate from the University of Hawaii (Richardson) and sit the Hawaii bar before July 2028, you will take Hawaii's current state-administered exam. If your bar sitting falls at or after July 2028, plan for the NextGen exam, the NCBE's redesigned test built around integrated legal skills. The NCBE has also confirmed that the legacy UBE and its Multistate Bar Examination component end after the February 2028 administration nationally, and Hawaii's own transition to NextGen follows a few months later in July 2028.

Because Hawaii currently gives its own exam rather than the UBE, you cannot transfer a UBE score into Hawaii the way you can into UBE states, and a Hawaii bar result does not automatically port outward as a UBE score. Anyone weighing multi-state practice should factor this in: Hawaii's bar has historically been its own process. As the state moves to NextGen in July 2028, the mechanics of cross-jurisdiction admission may evolve, so confirm the current rules with the Hawaii bar authorities before choosing a test date.

The bottom line for law schools in Hawaii is that bar planning is a scheduling exercise tied to a state-specific exam. Know your expected graduation date, check it against the July 2028 NextGen start that the NCBE has set for Hawaii, and prepare for whichever exam your sitting falls under. Because Hawaii has one law school, the University of Hawaii (Richardson) own bar-preparation resources and pass-rate history are the most relevant benchmarks, and you should request those figures directly, since the disclosures cited in this guide do not include Hawaii bar passage rates.

Where can you take the LSAT in Hawaii?

LSAT test centers are available in Hawaii's major metros, but the specific locations offered change from cycle to cycle, so the reliable move is to consult LSAC's official test-center list at lsac.org when you register rather than relying on any fixed address. LSAC also administers the LSAT in a remotely proctored online format, which is often the most practical option in Hawaii, where inter-island travel to a physical center is expensive and time-consuming for candidates who do not live on Oahu.

Hawaii's largest metro is Honolulu, on Oahu, which is where in-person testing and study resources are most likely to cluster. Candidates on the neighbor islands, including the Hilo and Kailua-Kona areas on Hawaii Island, the Kahului and Wailuku area on Maui, and Lihue on Kauai, will find fewer in-person options and often prefer the online LSAT. Whatever your island, check the current LSAC list for available seats and register early, because in-person capacity in smaller markets fills quickly.

Whichever format you choose, treat the logistics of the LSAT in Hawaii as part of your preparation. Confirm the test date against your application timeline, secure your seat or online slot as soon as registration opens, and build your study calendar backward from the sitting. Because your target in Hawaii is a single, somewhat selective median of 158, a well-timed, well-prepared LSAT is the most controllable variable in your entire application.

Which Hawaii universities feed law school?

Hawaii's flagship and largest universities are the natural pre-law feeders into legal education, both in-state and beyond. The University of Hawaii at Manoa, which houses the state's only law school, is a common starting point for Hawaii students who go on to law school, and its undergraduate programs in political science, Hawaiian and Pacific studies, history, and the humanities are traditional pre-law tracks. The University of Hawaii at Hilo, on Hawaii Island, is the other major public campus feeding pre-law applicants.

Private institutions contribute as well. Hawaii Pacific University and Chaminade University of Honolulu, both in Honolulu, and Brigham Young University at Hawaii on Oahu's North Shore are among the state's notable private universities whose graduates apply to law school. Students from all of these institutions apply to law schools in Hawaii and on the mainland, and none guarantees admission; a strong LSAT and a coherent application remain the decisive factors regardless of where you did your undergraduate work.

It is worth noting the general nature of this section: naming Hawaii's flagship and major universities as common pre-law feeders reflects the state's higher-education landscape, not a specific placement statistic. The packet does not attribute a placement rate to any Hawaii university, and neither does this guide. What matters for an applicant is that a pre-law path in Hawaii can begin at any accredited undergraduate program, and that the University of Hawaii (Richardson) evaluates candidates on their LSAT, GPA, and application, not on which Hawaii college they attended.

Frequently asked questions about law school in Hawaii

How many law schools are in Hawaii?

Hawaii has one ABA accredited law school, the University of Hawaii (Richardson) in Honolulu. That single institution makes Hawaii one of the smallest legal-education markets in the country. Any list of law schools in Hawaii begins and ends with the University of Hawaii (Richardson), so applicants to the state face one clear admissions target rather than a field of competing medians and price points.

What is the easiest law school to get into in Hawaii?

Because Hawaii has only one ABA law school, the University of Hawaii (Richardson) is by definition both the easiest and the most selective law school to get into in Hawaii. Its 2025 ABA 509 disclosure reports an acceptance rate of 26.2%, which is comparatively selective for a single-school state, so applicants should aim to meet or beat its median LSAT of 158 to be competitive.

What is the best law school in Hawaii?

The University of Hawaii (Richardson) is the best law school in Hawaii in the practical sense that it is the state's only ABA accredited option. With a median LSAT of 158 and full-time tuition of $23,304 from its 2025 ABA 509 disclosure, it pairs a solid admissions profile with a low public price. For anyone committed to practicing in Hawaii, it is both the strongest and the sole in-state choice.

What LSAT score do you need for law school in Hawaii?

The University of Hawaii (Richardson) reports a median LSAT of 158 in its 2025 ABA 509 disclosure, so 158 is the number to aim for at law schools in Hawaii. A score at or above 158 makes you competitive. Because the acceptance rate is a selective 26.2%, a below-median score needs strong support from the rest of your application to succeed in Hawaii.

How much does law school cost in Hawaii?

The University of Hawaii (Richardson) reports full-time tuition of $23,304 in its 2025 ABA 509 disclosure, which is low by national standards and a genuine advantage of studying law in Hawaii, especially for residents. That figure is tuition alone and does not include Hawaii's high living costs, fees, or books, and it can differ for non-residents, so confirm the full cost of attendance directly with the school.

Does Hawaii use the NextGen bar exam?

According to the NCBE, Hawaii has adopted the NextGen bar exam and will first administer it in July 2028. Hawaii is not currently a UBE jurisdiction; it administers its own state exam. The legacy UBE and MBE end nationally after the February 2028 administration, and Hawaii transitions to NextGen in July 2028, so your exam in Hawaii depends on when you sit it.

Can you take the bar in Hawaii with an out-of-state degree?

Yes. Hawaii admits graduates of ABA accredited law schools from any state to sit its bar exam, so an out-of-state degree does not prevent you from practicing in Hawaii. Note that Hawaii currently administers its own exam rather than the UBE and adopts NextGen in July 2028 per the NCBE, so confirm the current exam, deadlines, and admission rules with the Hawaii bar authorities before you plan a sitting.

Which Hawaii law school has the best bar passage?

Hawaii has only one ABA law school, the University of Hawaii (Richardson), so it is the sole in-state bar-passage benchmark by default. The disclosures cited in this guide cover medians, acceptance, and tuition but not Hawaii bar passage rates, so this guide does not state a figure. Request the University of Hawaii (Richardson) current first-time and ultimate bar passage numbers directly from the school or its ABA 509 report.

Are there part-time or evening law programs in Hawaii?

The packet used for this guide does not specify whether the University of Hawaii (Richardson) offers a part-time or evening program, so this guide does not claim one exists. Program format matters for working applicants, so anyone needing a part-time or evening option in Hawaii should confirm directly with the University of Hawaii (Richardson) whether such a track is available for the entering class they are targeting.

Where can you take the LSAT in Hawaii?

LSAT test centers are available in Hawaii's major metros, primarily around Honolulu on Oahu, but the exact centers change each cycle. Check LSAC's official test-center list at lsac.org when you register. Many Hawaii candidates, especially those on the neighbor islands such as Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island, use the remotely proctored online LSAT to avoid costly inter-island travel to a physical center.

Which Hawaii law schools are splitter friendly?

The University of Hawaii (Richardson) reads as splitter friendly among law schools in Hawaii, based on its 2025 ABA 509 disclosure. Its 25th-to-median GPA spread of 0.24 indicates the school will enroll applicants whose GPA sits below the class median when a strong LSAT supports the file. If you have a competitive LSAT and a softer GPA, Hawaii's only law school is a realistic target, though the selective acceptance rate still demands a strong overall application.

Do you have to go to law school in Hawaii to practice there?

No. You do not have to attend law schools in Hawaii to practice in Hawaii; graduates of any ABA accredited school may sit the Hawaii bar. That said, the University of Hawaii (Richardson) keeps 80% of its class in the state per ABA Class of 2024 data, so the in-state school offers by far the strongest local network. Studying elsewhere is compatible with a Hawaii career if you plan for it deliberately.

Is the University of Hawaii law school affordable?

By national standards, yes. The University of Hawaii (Richardson) full-time tuition of $23,304 from its 2025 ABA 509 disclosure is among the lower figures you will find, a real advantage of pursuing law schools in Hawaii for residents. Affordability improves further when a strong LSAT earns merit aid, though Hawaii's high cost of living affects the total budget, so confirm the full cost of attendance with the school.

How selective is admission to law school in Hawaii?

Admission to the University of Hawaii (Richardson), the only ABA law school in Hawaii, is moderately selective. Its 2025 ABA 509 disclosure shows a 26.2% acceptance rate and a 158 median LSAT, so it admits closer to one in four applicants and expects a target score above the national midpoint. Meeting or beating the median is the safest path, and a strong application is essential given the tighter acceptance rate in Hawaii.

Sources

Medians, acceptance rates, and tuition for law schools in Hawaii come from each school's 2025 ABA Standard 509 disclosure, published on the ABA Required Disclosures portal at https://www.abarequireddisclosures.org/. Bar exam status for Hawaii, including its NextGen adoption and July 2028 first administration, comes from the National Conference of Bar Examiners at https://www.ncbex.org/. LSAT test-center information is maintained by LSAC at https://www.lsac.org/.

Plan your Hawaii application with a data-backed evaluation

Because Hawaii comes down to one selective target, a focused plan is worth a great deal. If you want a read on how your LSAT and GPA stack up against the University of Hawaii (Richardson) numbers, and a concrete strategy for reaching or beating the 158 median, start here. Get your free Hawaii law school profile evaluation and turn the data in this guide into a personalized plan for law schools in Hawaii.