What is 211?

You know to dial 911 in an emergency or 411 for information. But do you know about 211, a service for people needing help? With 211, you can easily find information and referrals on everything from crisis intervention and counseling to job training, educational programs and child care. 

In 2009, 211 received 42,014 calls for help and made 20% more referrals to statewide community services than in 2008. 

Some highlights include: 

• Basic Needs:  With the downturn in the economy, there was a significant increase in calls for help with securing basic human needs such as food and shelter.  Over 9,100 people were provided with information or access to food pantries, rent payment assistance, utility assistance, homeless shelters and other public assistance programs.
• Health Care:  Since 2008, there has been a 50% increase in calls requesting information on obtaining health and dental insurance.  211 served as the primary source for caregivers to obtain applications and information on the Children’s Health Insurance Program.  Over 1,565 parents received the information needed to ensure their child had access to health care and health insurance coverage.
  
  In addition, over 1,300 people received up-to-date details on the flu and the H1N1 virus from the H1N1 Influenza Information Line, which was set up with our 211 number by the Hawai’i State Department of Health.
• Federal Income Tax:  Over 2,150 Hawaii residents received information on Aloha United Way’s Earned Income Tax Credit and Free Tax Assistance Program in which more than $3 million in refunds was obtained through the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit.

Simply dial 211 Monday - Friday from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.  The service is confidential, toll-free statewide and multilingual assistance is available. Or visit www.auw211.org to search our online database.

Who calls 211?

211 is for everyone! Most people call seeking information or assistance for themselves, a friend or a family member.

What can 211 help me find?

Specialists search a database of over 4,000 government and nonprofit services and programs to find the answers you need, including:

Basic needs (food, shelther, clothing) Child care and educational services Children's health insurance Consumer complaints Crisis intervention Disability services Donation information Domestic violence support programs Elderly care services Family counseling Financial assistance

Government programs Healthcare Legal assistance Mental health services Parenting programs Substance abuse treatment Suicide prevention Transportation Veteran's services Volunteer information  And much more!

How do I update or add information to 211?

It is important to keep the 211 database accurate and up-to-date and thank you for helping us do so. 

To update or add resource information to 211, please download the 211 Update Form and use it to update your current 211 listing or to add a new listing. When completed, you can send it to us by e-mail, fax or regular mail. Upon receiving your information, a 211 staff member will verify it before updating our database.

Contact Information:

Aloha United Way 211
Attn: 211 Program Assistant
200 N. Vineyard Blvd., Suite 700
Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: 536-1951
Fax: (808) 543-2222
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)