Hawaii Advance Health Care Directive and Medical Power of Attorney

Normally effective upon a capacity determination, with the form offering an immediate-authority choice.

Jurisdiction
Hawaii
Purpose
Medical & health care
Source / form version
December 2015 form; publisher’s current English download
Resource format
PDF
Signing
Sign and date before two eligible witnesses OR a notary. At least one witness must be unrelated and not entitled to your estate.
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Sources checked: 2026-11-13. General information, not individual legal advice.

Combine an agent with your care wishes

The three-page Hawaii directive provides a health care power of attorney and individual instructions. Name a trusted agent, add backup contact details, and consider the separate treatment choices. Kōkua Mau provides this form with the Executive Office on Aging and offers additional languages on its source page.

Sources: [2] [3]

Read the activation and treatment choices

The appointment ordinarily operates when you lack capacity, but the document allows a different choice. Review the options about life-prolonging treatment, artificial nutrition and hydration, comfort care and additional instructions. Initial and date changes as the form directs. Make sure any attached pages and other medical documents express consistent preferences.

Sources: [2] [3]

Use qualified witnesses or a notary

An agent, health care provider, or employee of a provider or facility cannot act as a witness. At least one witness must also be unrelated and not entitled to inherit. The notary route is an alternative. After signing, give copies to the agent and care team and tell family where the complete document can be found.

Sources: [2] [3]

Common questions

Can I type into this PDF online?

Download and save the publisher’s writable PDF first. Its instructions caution that browser entry may not be saved; some initials and signatures still must be completed.

Sources: [1] [3]

Is this the same as a POLST?

No. The directive records an appointment and preferences. A POLST is a separate medical-order document used with a clinician when appropriate.

Sources: [1] [3]

Related forms and guides

Sources and verification

  1. Kōkua Mau and Hawaii Executive Office on Aging: source and instructions (opens in a new tab)
  2. Publisher document download (opens in a new tab)
  3. Applicable state law or official guidance (opens in a new tab)

Publisher source and document inspected. This is source research, not independent attorney review.

The date above records a source check. It does not certify that a form is suitable for your circumstances or that an attorney has reviewed your document. Read the publisher’s current instructions before use.