Honolulu Senior AdvisorWhat do Oahu families ask about licensing?
Hawaii licenses senior care differently from most states, and these are the questions mainland and local families ask us most often about who licenses what. The answers cite the Hawaii Administrative Rules section behind each one, so you can check them yourself.
Questions about how Hawaii licenses care homes, assisted living and foster family homes. Each answer below is written to stand on its own.
Who licenses care homes in Hawaii?
The Hawaii Department of Health's Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA), State Licensing Section, licenses adult residential care homes, expanded ARCHs and assisted living facilities; community care foster family homes are certified through OHCA's designee, Community Ties of America.
Does the City and County of Honolulu license care homes?
No. Licensing is a state function. The city's building, zoning and fire rules apply to the house, but the care license comes from OHCA.
How many residents can a Type I care home have?
A Type I ARCH or expanded ARCH may have five or fewer residents, counting up to three day care clients toward its licensed capacity (HAR 11-100.1-2 and 11-100.1-3).
Can a regular care home keep a resident who needs nursing-level care?
No. Only an expanded ARCH may care for residents at nursing facility level of care, within its limits of two in a Type I home or 20% of capacity in a Type II home unless the department allows more.
Must the care giver live in the home?
In a Type I ARCH, the primary care giver must live in the home, or the licensee must engage a qualified primary care giver who does (HAR 11-100.1-8). In a foster family home the primary caregiver must live in the home (HAR 11-800-41).
Is memory care licensed separately in Hawaii?
No. Hawaii has no separate memory care license; dementia care is provided under assisted living, care home, foster family home and nursing facility licenses.
How often are assisted living facilities inspected?
At least every two years for relicensing, and the department may inspect without notice (HAR 11-90-3). OHCA's index shows most Oahu facilities with a report in each recent year.
Are inspection reports public?
Yes. HRS 321-1.8 requires the Department of Health to post state licensing inspection reports online, for inspections on or after January 1, 2015, with violations and plans of correction.
What is a Type II care home?
A Type II ARCH or expanded ARCH is licensed for six or more residents (HAR 11-100.1-2); on Oahu most are expanded homes, and a few hold 20 or more beds.
Who certifies foster family homes and adult day care?
Community Ties of America, OHCA's designee, performs licensing and certification for foster family homes, case management agencies and adult day care centers: (808) 234-5380.
At a glance
| These answers are | These answers are not | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Hawaii rules, state rosters and agency pages | Hearsay or marketing |
| Scope | Oahu and Hawaii-specific | Generic national answers |
| Use | A starting point for your own questions | Legal, tax or medical advice |
| Freshness | Checked in October 2026 | Permanent; rules and figures change |
