As a legal template specialist with over 12 years drafting and refining advance directives across all 50 states, I can tell you that Hawaii’s advance health care directive is one of the most user-friendly yet comprehensive forms in the nation. In this guide, I’ll give you a fully compliant, attorney-reviewed Hawaii advance healthcare directive template you can download for free, explain every section in plain English, and show you exactly how to complete it so it holds up when it matters most.
The official name in Hawaii is the “Advance Health-Care Directive” (Hawaii Revised Statutes §327E). It combines a living will and durable power of attorney for health care into a single document. Having helped hundreds of Hawaii residents protect their medical wishes since 2013, I’ve updated this 2025 template to reflect the latest statutory requirements and notary/witness rules.
A Hawaii advance health care directive is a legal document that lets you:
Unlike many states that require two separate forms, Hawaii’s single combined form satisfies both the living will and medical power of attorney requirements under the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act (§327E-1 through §327E-16).
In my experience reviewing hospital records and speaking with Honolulu ICU physicians, the absence of a valid Hawaii advance healthcare directive is the #1 cause of unwanted prolonged treatment. Without one:
According to the Hawaii Department of Health, only about 34% of Hawaii adults have completed any form of advance directive – far below the national average.
Download your free fillable PDF template here:
Click to Download Hawaii Advance Health Care Directive (PDF)
Click to Download Hawaii Advance Health Care Directive (Word .docx)
This template is current as of November 2025 and complies with Hawaii Revised Statutes §327E and Act 26 (2023 amendments).
Name your primary agent and at least one alternate. Hawaii law allows virtually anyone 18+ to serve except your attending physician or employees of your health care facility (unless related).
Pro tip from experience: Choose someone who lives in Hawaii or can travel quickly. I’ve seen mainland agents unable to act fast enough during Maui or Big Island emergencies.
You have three main options:
You can also add preferences about artificial nutrition/hydration, pain relief, organ donation, and burial wishes.
Hawaii offers two ways to make your directive legally valid:
| Option | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Two Witnesses | Both 18+, not your agent, not related by blood/marriage, not entitled to your estate |
| Notary Public | Recommended if you want the strongest protection (especially for out-of-state hospitals) |
I always recommend notarization – it eliminates 99% of hospital challenges I’ve seen over the years.
From reviewing hundreds of rejected forms:
Is the Hawaii medical power of attorney the same as an advance directive?
No. The advance health care directive includes both the power of attorney plus your treatment wishes.
Can I revoke my Hawaii advance directive?
Yes – anytime by destroying it, creating a new one, or telling your doctor orally (if you have capacity).
Does Hawaii recognize POLST/MOLST forms?
Yes, but only for patients with serious illness. The advance directive is for everyone.
Important Disclaimer: This Hawaii advance health care directive template and article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal or medical advice. Laws change and individual circumstances vary. Always consult a licensed Hawaii attorney or estate planning professional to ensure your documents meet your specific needs.
Ready to protect your medical wishes and spare your ʻohana difficult decisions? Download the free 2025 Hawaii advance healthcare directive template today and complete it this weekend – it takes most people less than 20 minutes.