
The University of Hawaii's Richardson School of Law is a great choice for prospective law students. Located in Honolulu, the school is the only law school in the state of Hawaii and is committed to providing a rich, diverse curriculum, with traditional Socratic classroom settings and essential clinical experience. The school is also notable for its collegial atmosphere, accessible faculty, student support, and cultural and ethnic diversity. The school's legal studies place special emphasis on fields of law that are of particular importance to Hawaii and the surrounding Pacific and Asian regions. The school offers a range of programs, including a Juris Doctor, Advanced Juris Doctor, and LLM, with various specializations and certificates available. The school has a strong reputation, with accreditation from the American Bar Association and membership in the Association of American Law Schools.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | William S. Richardson School of Law |
| Location | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Setting | The foot of the Mānoa Valley, 10-15 minutes from Honolulu |
| Student-faculty ratio | 4.2:1 or 8:1 |
| Student body | 20,000 students from all 50 states and over 70 countries |
| Student body size | 300 students, with an average of 80 students in a class |
| Ranking | No. 99 (tie) out of 195 in Best Law Schools and No. 16 (tie) out of 67 in Part-time Law |
| Application deadline | May 1 |
| Application fee | $75 |
| Tuition | full-time: $23,620 (in-state); full-time: $47,044 (out-of-state); part-time: $19,812 (in-state); and part-time: $19,812 (out-of-state) |
| Accreditation | Accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) |
| Curriculum focus | Fields of law of particular importance to Hawaii and the surrounding Pacific and Asian region, including Native Hawaiian Law, Pacific-Asian Legal Studies, Environmental Law, and maritime law |
| Curriculum format | Traditional Socratic classroom settings and essential clinical experience, including externships, supervised field and research projects, and real courtroom experience |
| Journals | University of Hawai'i Law Review, Asian-Pacific Law and Policy Journal |
| Programs | Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law, Pacific-Asian Legal Studies, Advanced Juris Doctor, LLM, Hawai'i Online JD Flex program, Ulu Lehua Scholars Program |
| Financial aid | Richardson Opportunity Grants, Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) |
| Notable projects | Hammurabi Legal Forum, Hawaii Innocence Project, University of Hawaii Elder Law Program (UHELP), Hawaii Health Law Policy Center |
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What You'll Learn
- The University of Hawaii Richardson School of Law is the only law school in the state
- It offers a unique legal education rooted in justice, community, and Hawaiian values
- The school is highly regarded for its collegial atmosphere, accessible faculty, student support, and cultural diversity
- It provides a flexible and rigorous part-time online JD program designed for working professionals
- The school has a strong commitment to regional and global understanding, with a focus on Native Hawaiian Law and Pacific-Asian Legal Studies

The University of Hawaii Richardson School of Law is the only law school in the state
The Richardson School of Law is one of the smallest law schools in the country, with around 300 students and an average class size of 80. The school has a low student-to-faculty ratio, with small classes and close interaction between students and teachers. The school community is collaborative and multicultural, embracing the area's diversity and offering a supportive environment for students to thrive academically and professionally.
The legal education at Richardson Law is distinctive and rooted in the values of justice, community, and Hawaii. The curriculum is culturally rooted and globally oriented, with a special emphasis on fields of law that are particularly important to Hawaii and the surrounding Pacific and Asian regions. These include Native Hawaiian Law, Pacific-Asian Legal Studies, Environmental Law, and Maritime Law. The school also offers unique programs such as the Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law and the Hawaii Innocence Project, which provides pro bono representation to wrongfully incarcerated individuals.
The University of Hawaii Richardson School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS). It offers a Juris Doctor (JD) program, with certificates available in various specializations, as well as an Advanced JD program for foreign students with law degrees from abroad. The school also provides financial aid through need-based Richardson Opportunity Grants and has a flexible online JD program for working professionals.
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It offers a unique legal education rooted in justice, community, and Hawaiian values
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's William S. Richardson School of Law offers a distinctive legal education rooted in justice, community, and Hawaiian values. It is the only law school in the state of Hawaii and is located in Honolulu, minutes away from the economic and legal centre of the city. The school has a strong commitment to advancing the rule of law and serving others, which is reflected in its curriculum and programs.
The school's legal studies emphasise fields of law that are of particular importance to Hawaii and the surrounding Pacific and Asian regions. These include Native Hawaiian Law, Pacific-Asian Legal Studies, Environmental Law, and Maritime Law. The Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law, established through a Native Hawaiian Education Act grant, is a testament to the school's dedication to promoting Native Hawaiian legal studies.
The William S. Richardson School of Law also offers a range of programs and opportunities that enrich the legal education experience. The Bright International Jurist-in-Residence program, for example, facilitates dialogue between international jurists and the wider community, faculty, and staff. The school's moot court program has also gained recognition, with its teams excelling in national and international competitions.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is known for its collegial atmosphere, accessible faculty, student support, and cultural and ethnic diversity. The law school embraces the area's diversity and fosters a collaborative environment, with a student-faculty ratio that promotes small classes and close interactions. The school's mission is to create an elite community of future lawyers, judges, and servants of the law, with a particular emphasis on Hawaii law and the Pacific Rim region.
The school also offers flexible learning options, such as the Hawai'i Online JD Flex program, which allows students to balance their legal studies with career and personal commitments. The curriculum is rooted in social, political, and ecological contexts, providing a well-rounded legal education. Additionally, the school provides financial aid through need-based funding, such as the Richardson Opportunity Grants, to ensure that students from all backgrounds have access to legal education.
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The school is highly regarded for its collegial atmosphere, accessible faculty, student support, and cultural diversity
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is a major research university with a diverse student body, representing all fifty states and over seventy countries. The William S. Richardson School of Law, located in Honolulu, is committed to providing a collegial atmosphere, accessible faculty, and student support. With a small student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from close interaction and mentorship. The school embraces the area's cultural diversity and offers a collaborative environment, fostering a sense of community among its students and legal professionals.
The faculty members are renowned for their expertise and dedication to teaching and research. They are easily accessible to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, fostering a supportive learning environment. The school's legal studies emphasise fields of law pertinent to Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region, including Native Hawaiian Law, Pacific-Asian Legal Studies, Environmental Law, and Maritime Law. The curriculum is culturally rooted and globally oriented, reflecting the school's commitment to regional and global understanding.
The school offers a range of academic programs, including the Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex Program, which provides a flexible, part-time legal education for working professionals. Students can balance their careers and personal commitments with a blend of scheduled and on-demand classes. The school also has a strong focus on clinical experience, providing opportunities for externships, supervised field projects, and real courtroom experience.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Foundation has endowed the school with several professorships and faculty chairs. The school also has various sources of financial aid, including need-based Richardson Opportunity Grants, to support its diverse student body. The Bright International Jurist-in-Residence Program brings international jurists to the school, fostering dialogue with the community, faculty, and staff. The school's moot court teams regularly excel in national and international competitions.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is dedicated to creating an elite, collaborative community that prepares students for success in the legal profession. With its emphasis on Hawaii's law and the Pacific Rim region, the school offers a unique and highly regarded legal education.
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It provides a flexible and rigorous part-time online JD program designed for working professionals
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's William S. Richardson School of Law offers a flexible and rigorous part-time online JD program designed for working professionals. The program, known as the Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex, is a fully online, part-time program that allows students to earn their Juris Doctor (JD) degrees in as few as four years. The flexible format of the program enables students to balance their careers and personal commitments while pursuing their legal education.
The Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex program offers a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that prepares graduates for challenging and rewarding professional careers. The curriculum is rooted in social, political, and ecological contexts, with a particular emphasis on fields of law that are of significant importance to Hawaii and the surrounding Pacific and Asian regions. These include Environmental Law, Native Hawaiian Law, Pacific-Asian Legal Studies, and International Law.
The program delivers its curriculum through a combination of synchronous (scheduled) and asynchronous (flexible) virtual classes, coursework, and interactive learning activities. Students attend virtual classes via live and pre-recorded video lectures, participate in traditional Socratic classroom discussions, seminars and small group discussions, and complete reading and writing assignments. This blend of learning modalities provides students with a dynamic and engaging educational experience.
The Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex program is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), ensuring the quality and recognition of the degree. It is one of the few ABA-accredited, part-time, fully online JD programs offered by a nationally ranked law school. This accreditation allows graduates to sit for the bar exam in every state except New York, which has not yet adopted ABA standards for distance education.
The program is ideal for working professionals who seek a legal education without having to relocate or leave their current jobs. It offers an accessible pathway to a top-tier legal education, welcoming students from diverse locations and backgrounds. With its flexible format, rigorous curriculum, and accreditation, the University of Hawaiʻi's online JD program provides a unique opportunity for aspiring legal professionals to pursue their educational goals while maintaining their career and personal commitments.
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The school has a strong commitment to regional and global understanding, with a focus on Native Hawaiian Law and Pacific-Asian Legal Studies
The William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is the only law school in Hawaii. The school has a strong commitment to regional and global understanding, with a focus on Native Hawaiian Law and Pacific-Asian Legal Studies.
The school's legal studies place special emphasis on fields of law that are particularly important to Hawaii and the surrounding Pacific and Asian regions. This includes Native Hawaiian Law, Pacific-Asian Legal Studies, Environmental Law, and Maritime Law. The school offers a Juris Doctor, with certificates available in Native Hawaiian Law, Pacific-Asian Legal Studies, and Environmental Law. The school's curriculum is grounded in Hawaiʻi’s history, culture, and future, and its programs reflect a deep commitment to regional and global understanding.
The Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law, established in 2005 through a Native Hawaiian Education Act grant, is an example of the school's commitment to Native Hawaiian Law. The center focuses on education, research, scholarship, community outreach, and the preservation of historical, legal, traditional, and customary materials. It offers new courses and supports Native Hawaiian and other law students in their legal careers and leadership roles. The center also facilitates programs that promote education and research on the unique aspects of Native Hawaiian law and the intersection of local, federal, and international laws affecting Native Hawaiians.
The Pacific-Asian Legal Studies (PALS) program is another key area of focus for the school. The University of Hawaiʻi is deeply committed to its international programs, and the PALS program is supported by the University's excellent area centers. The Pacific-Asian Legal Studies Organization (PALSO) is a law student organization that regularly hosts talks, lectures, and social events to promote interest in Pacific and Asian cultures. The school's proximity to the Pacific Islands and Asia provides unique opportunities for students to interact with visitors and travel to those areas for externships and other career opportunities. The Asian-Pacific Law and Policy Journal (APLPJ) is a web-based, American legal journal covering issues in Asia and the Pacific Rim, which is published by the school.
The school's commitment to regional and global understanding is also reflected in its international initiatives, such as the Hammurabi Legal Forum, which provides free legal resources and supports Rule of Law activities in Iraq, Kurdistan, Afghanistan, and the Pacific Region. The Hawaii Innocence Project provides pro bono representation to incarcerated persons who claim actual innocence, and the University of Hawaii Elder Law Program (UHELP) offers legal assistance and advice to Hawaii's elder community. Additionally, the Hawaii Health Law Policy Center aims to improve health care access in Hawaii by conducting research, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, and bringing together community leaders, healthcare policymakers, faculty members, and students.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Hawaii's William S. Richardson School of Law is the only law school in the state of Hawaii. It is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS). The school has a strong focus on Hawaii law and the Pacific Rim region, with special emphasis on fields of law that are of particular importance to Hawaii and the surrounding areas, including Native Hawaiian Law, Pacific-Asian Legal Studies, Environmental Law, and Maritime Law. The school also offers a flexible and rigorous part-time online JD program that is 100% online, allowing students to balance their studies with their careers and personal commitments.
The University of Hawaii's law school provides financial aid in the form of Richardson Opportunity Grants, which are need-based and available to students who demonstrate financial need. The maximum annual award for law students is $6,000 per year, and students must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible. Additionally, the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) offers residents of WICHE-region states or jurisdictions a savings of nearly $12,000 per year on tuition.
The law school has several notable programs and initiatives, including the Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law, the Hawaii Innocence Project, which provides pro bono representation to wrongfully incarcerated individuals, and the Hawaii Health Law Policy Center, which aims to improve healthcare access in Hawaii. The school also has a strong moot court program, with teams regularly bringing home national and international titles and awards.
The law school is located in a beautiful setting in the Mānoa Valley, just 10-15 minutes from the economic and legal center of urban Honolulu. It is one of the smallest law schools in the country, with a collaborative, multicultural community of around 300 students and a low student-faculty ratio, allowing for small classes and close interaction between students and teachers. The school is known for its collegial atmosphere, accessible faculty, student support, and cultural and ethnic diversity.











































