How many law schools are in Hawaii?

There are 1 ABA-accredited law schools in Hawaii. The top schools include University of Hawaii.

What is the Hawaii bar exam pass rate?

The Hawaii bar exam has a first-time pass rate of 73.5% (2024 data), compared to the national average of approximately 79%. This gives Hawaii a bar difficulty rating of 4/5 (Difficult).

What is the average LSAT score for Hawaii law schools?

The average median LSAT score across Hawaii law schools is approximately 158. Top schools like University of Hawaii have median LSAT scores of 158.

What are BigLaw placement rates for Hawaii law schools?

Hawaii law schools place an average of 0.0% of graduates in BigLaw positions (firms with 501+ attorneys, full time and long term). Top schools like University of Hawaii place 0% in BigLaw.

Hawaii Law Schools

Q: What is the legal job market like in Hawaii?

Hawaii's legal market is centered in Honolulu, with strength in real estate, tourism, and Native Hawaiian law. The state's isolation creates a unique practice environment with strong local connections. Military bases provide additional opportunities in military and federal law.... The state has a legal market of approximately ~5,000 attorneys.

1 ABA-Accredited Law Schools • ~5,000 attorneys

Law Schools

Legal Market

~5,000 attorneys

First-Time Bar Pass Rate

73.5%

Bar Difficulty

4/5

Difficult

All Hawaii Law Schools

Compare all 1 ABA-accredited law schools in Hawaii. Click column headers to sort.

Table Legend

Bar Pass Rate: First-time bar passage rate (2024)

Tuition: Annual non-resident tuition


University of Hawaii	#91	158	3.62	26%	0%	77.1%	$47K

Hawaii Bar Exam 2024: Pass Rates & Difficulty

Bar exam statistics and difficulty rating for Hawaii law school graduates

First-Time Pass Rate

73.5%

2024 graduates

vs National Average

-5.5%

National avg: 79.0%

Difficulty Rating

4/5

Difficult

Pass Rate Comparison

Hawaii73.5%

State

National Average79.0%

US Avg

5.5% below national average

Understanding Bar Exam Difficulty

Rating 1 (Easiest, 88%+): Very high pass rates indicating easier bar exams or exceptional law school preparation.

Rating 2 (Below Average Difficulty, 83-88%): Above-average pass rates showing moderate difficulty.

Rating 3 (Average Difficulty, 76-83%): Pass rates near national average of ~79%.

Rating 4 (Difficult, 70-76%): Below-average pass rates indicating challenging bar exams.

Rating 5 (Most Difficult, <70%): Significantly below national average. California (68%) and Florida (72%) are notably difficult.

Note: Bar difficulty rating based solely on first-time pass rates from ABA 2024 Bar Passage Statistics. Lower pass rates indicate more challenging bar exams. Individual law school preparation quality also affects outcomes.

Hawaii Legal Market Overview

Employment opportunities and top legal employers in Hawaii

Market Overview

Hawaii's legal market is centered in Honolulu, with strength in real estate, tourism, and Native Hawaiian law. The state's isolation creates a unique practice environment with strong local connections. Military bases provide additional opportunities in military and federal law.

Market Size:~5,000 attorneys

Top Legal Employers in Hawaii

Cades Schutte

Carlsmith Ball

Goodsill Anderson Quinn

Starn O'Toole Marcus

Schlack Ito

Hawaii AG Office

Honolulu Prosecutor

Office of the Public Defender

Includes BigLaw firms, government offices, and public interest organizations. Rankings are not ordered by size or prestige.

Career Paths in Hawaii

Private Sector

• BigLaw firms (501+ attorneys)
• Midsize firms (50-100 attorneys)
• Regional and boutique firms
• Solo practice and small firms
• In-house corporate counsel

Public Sector

• Federal clerkships
• State and federal prosecutors
• Public defenders
• Government agencies
• Public interest organizations

Frequently Asked Questions

This is backward-looking data that relies on assumptions. Different outcomes are possible. This is not financial advice.