The Hawaii State Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution, a Judiciary program housed at the Supreme Court, maintains the closest thing the islands have to a statewide certified mediator roster. Households relocating from mainland states often ask how the process works, because Hawaii treats mediation differently than most jurisdictions and there is no bar-style exam.
Instead of a licensing test, HSCADR relies on a training-plus-mentorship credential built around 40 classroom hours, specialty add-ons, and supervised co-mediation. The roster then feeds referrals from Circuit, District, and Family Courts. Court staff pull from the same list when a judge orders parties into mediation under HRS chapter 613 or the corresponding court rules.
This research brief walks through the training pathway, the application packet, the observation requirements, and the pay structure a roster mediator can expect. It also compares the Hawaii process to what mainland practitioners see in California, Oregon, or Washington, so relocating attorneys and retirees know what to expect before signing up.
How the HSCADR Roster Actually Works
HSCADR was established within the Judiciary in 1985 and operates statewide out of Ali’iolani Hale in downtown Honolulu. Its roster is not a licensure list. It is an approved-provider directory the courts and state agencies use to source neutrals for civil, family, appellate, and community mediations.
Two separate rosters exist in practice. The court-annexed panel serves Circuit and District Court civil cases with amounts in controversy under $150,000. The specialty panels serve Family Court custody disputes and appellate mediation before the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
Roster placement lasts three years. Renewal requires 12 continuing education hours, at least three completed mediations, and a signed ethics acknowledgment. Roster members are not state employees; they work as independent neutrals paid by the parties, by contract, or through a sliding-scale program the Judiciary co-funds.
Who runs it and who sits on the panel
HSCADR is staffed by a program director, two program specialists, and a rotating advisory committee of judges and bar leaders. The 2025 published roster carries roughly 210 active mediators across the four counties, with about 118 based on Oahu, 34 on Hawaii Island, 30 on Maui, and 18 on Kauai.
Numbers shift each renewal cycle. Roster distribution roughly tracks statewide demographics available through the Census QuickFacts for Hawaii. Roughly 62 percent of listed mediators are licensed attorneys.
The remainder are retired judges, therapists, human resources specialists, and community elders. Only 41 members currently carry the appellate designation, which limits how many appellate cases the ICA can refer in a given quarter.
The 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training
Every roster candidate must complete a 40-hour Basic Mediation Training approved by HSCADR. The state does not run the course itself. Instead, it approves specific providers, most notably the Mediation Center of the Pacific on Oahu, Ku’ikahi Mediation Center in Hilo, West Hawaii Mediation Center in Waimea, Mediation Services of Maui, and Mediation Center of Kauai.
Each provider must submit its curriculum for approval every three years. Approved courses cover conflict theory, mediator ethics under the Standards for Hawaii Mediators, cross-cultural communication, ho’oponopono influences, active listening, agenda setting, and drafting settlement memoranda. Practical role-plays consume roughly 22 of the 40 hours.
Tuition ranges from $895 at community centers on Hawaii Island to $1,650 at Oahu-based programs that include lunch, materials, and a written evaluation. Scholarships from the Hawaii Justice Foundation cut the price by 40 to 100 percent for applicants who commit to at least 20 pro bono hours after certification.
Delivery format and scheduling
Courses run in three formats. The most common is a five-day intensive over a single week, typically Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Weekend cohorts spread the same 40 hours over four Saturdays. A hybrid Zoom-plus-in-person option remains available for interisland candidates but requires at least 16 in-person role-play hours.
HSCADR does not accept online-only 40-hour trainings taken outside the state, even those approved by the Association for Conflict Resolution. Mainland relocators who arrive with a California Dispute Resolution Programs Act certificate must still complete a full Hawaii-approved 40-hour course. The state defends the requirement on cultural-competency grounds.
The 20-Hour Family and Appellate Add-Ons
After the 40-hour foundation, candidates seeking a specialty designation complete an additional 20-hour add-on. Two add-ons exist. The Family Mediation Add-On qualifies mediators for Family Court custody, visitation, and property division referrals. The Appellate Mediation Add-On qualifies mediators for civil appeals routed through the ICA program.
Family Add-Ons cover domestic violence screening, child developmental stages, Hawaii’s HRS chapter 571 custody framework, hanai and blended-family dynamics, and drafting parenting plans that clerks will accept. Providers charge $625 to $890 for the module. Appellate Add-Ons focus on appellate procedure, brief-writing awareness, and negotiation dynamics after a trial-court loss; tuition runs $525 to $780.
Both add-ons require a passing evaluation from lead trainers rather than a written exam. Evaluators score candidates on 14 competencies. A score below 3 on the 5-point scale in any single competency triggers a mandatory retake of that segment, not the entire course.
| Training track | Hours | Typical tuition | Prerequisite | Roster eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Mediation | 40 | $895–$1,650 | None | Civil, community |
| Family Add-On | 20 | $625–$890 | Basic 40 | Family Court |
| Appellate Add-On | 20 | $525–$780 | Basic 40 plus 3 cases | ICA appeals |
| Cross-Cultural Elective | 8 | $225 | Basic 40 | CE credit only |
| Domestic Violence Screening | 6 | $180 | None | Required for Family |
Mentorship and Observation Requirements
Training alone does not put a name on the HSCADR roster. Every candidate must also complete a supervised mentorship phase before the state director signs the roster admission letter. The mentorship rules are the single biggest reason relocating attorneys underestimate the timeline.
Observation hours
Candidates observe five completed mediations conducted by roster-approved mentors. Observations must span at least three different subject areas, such as a landlord-tenant matter, a small-claims civil dispute, and a workplace grievance. Each observation lasts between 90 minutes and four hours. Candidates submit a two-page reflection memo for each session.
Family Add-On candidates observe two additional Family Court mediations, one involving a parenting plan and one involving property division. Appellate Add-On candidates observe two full appellate mediations, which typically consume six to eight hours because both sides brief the neutral in advance.
Co-mediation apprenticeship
After observation, candidates co-mediate at least three cases with a senior roster mentor. The mentor takes the lead on the first case, splits duties on the second, and observes silently on the third. Mentors sign a completion attestation only if the candidate demonstrates competence in opening statements, caucus management, reality testing, and drafting a written agreement.
Finding a mentor is the practical bottleneck. HSCADR maintains a mentor list of about 34 senior neutrals. Most take one or two mentees per year. Candidates report waits of three to nine months between application and first co-mediation, especially outside Oahu.
Assembling the Application Packet
The application packet is delivered to HSCADR at 417 South King Street, Honolulu, or through the Judiciary’s secure upload portal. Paper submissions remain acceptable, and staff still stamp intake dates by hand. The Center reviews packets on a rolling basis and issues admission decisions within 45 to 90 days.
Required documents
- Completed Form HSCADR-01 with contact information and specialty selection.
- Notarized affidavit of good moral character with two professional references.
- Certificate of completion for the approved 40-hour Basic training.
- Certificates for any Family or Appellate Add-Ons requested.
- Mentor attestation letter documenting five observations and three co-mediations.
- Signed acknowledgment of the Standards for Hawaii Mediators.
- Proof of $500,000 professional liability coverage or self-insurance declaration.
- Background check consent form processed through the state Criminal Justice Data Center.
Attorneys already in good standing with the Hawaii State Bar may substitute their bar certificate for the moral-character affidavit. Retired judges are exempt from the mentorship attestation but must still complete the 40-hour training. Applicants can find a notary through the Attorney General’s commission pathway if they need one on short notice.
Fees and processing timelines
The application fee is $175 for the civil roster, $225 for civil plus one add-on, and $275 for civil plus both add-ons. Fees are non-refundable. The Judiciary waives fees for applicants earning under 200 percent of the federal poverty line who commit to at least 30 pro bono hours in the first roster year.
| Milestone | Typical duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic 40-hour training | 1 week to 4 weeks | Depends on format |
| Add-on selection | 2 weeks to 6 weeks | Family or appellate |
| Observation of 5 mediations | 2 to 6 months | Scheduling driven |
| Co-mediation of 3 cases | 3 to 9 months | Mentor availability |
| Packet review by HSCADR | 45 to 90 days | Rolling intake |
| Total from zero to roster | 9 to 18 months | Realistic median |
How Court-Annexed Referrals Route Under HRS Chapter 613
Hawaii statute directs certain civil disputes toward mediation before trial. Circuit Court civil cases valued between $25,000 and $150,000 fall under the Court-Annexed Arbitration Program, and judges may divert eligible matters to mediation with roster neutrals. Family Court judges use HRS chapter 571 authority to require parenting mediation before contested custody hearings.
When a judge signs a referral, the clerk sends a case abstract to HSCADR. Program staff match the dispute against roster availability, geography, and language capabilities. Parties receive three names within seven business days and select by strike-off or agreement. If they cannot agree within 14 days, HSCADR appoints the first name on the list.
The Judiciary publishes referral volumes each fiscal year. In fiscal 2024, roster mediators handled 1,847 court-annexed civil cases, 3,214 Family Court parenting mediations, and 62 appellate mediations. Local reporting at Honolulu Civil Beat tracks caseload pressures and settlement rates in more detail.
Small-claims and community matters
Not every referral flows from a judge. HSCADR also fields self-referrals from parties who want to avoid filing suit. Landlord-tenant disputes on Oahu and Maui frequently reach mediators through Legal Aid Society intake. Community mediation programs on Hawaii Island route neighbor-noise, easement, and shoreline-access matters at no cost to either party.
Roster mediators can decline referrals, but repeated declinations without cause trigger a review. HSCADR expects roster members to accept at least six referrals per year at the program’s sliding-scale rate. Mediators who fall below the threshold receive a warning letter and, on second occurrence, are moved to inactive status.
Compensation, Insurance, and Ethics
Compensation varies by track. Program-referred mediations pay a sliding-scale rate of $75 to $225 per hour depending on party income. Private mediations negotiated outside HSCADR referrals routinely bill $250 to $600 per hour. Appellate mediators command the highest hourly rates because case value is typically above $250,000.
Household income tax treatment matters. Mediation income is subject to Hawaii’s general excise tax at 4.0 to 4.5 percent depending on county. Roster mediators register their sole proprietorship or LLC with the state Department of Taxation. The rate structure and licensing are summarized in the state’s overall tax framework for relocating professionals.
Insurance carries its own line item. Professional liability policies for mediators cost $650 to $1,400 per year depending on the specialty. Attorneys already carrying malpractice coverage typically add a mediation endorsement for $180 to $340 annually. Uninsured neutrals may still serve but must file a self-insurance declaration each renewal cycle.
Ethics obligations
Every roster mediator signs the Standards for Hawaii Mediators, an ethics code adapted from the American Bar Association Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators. The Hawaii version adds language on cultural humility, hanai family structures, and mediator disclosure of Hawaii-specific conflicts such as prior canoe-club affiliations or shared church congregations.
Complaints are handled by the Standards Committee, a nine-member panel that includes at least two Native Hawaiian representatives. Sanctions escalate from private admonition to public censure to roster removal. Between 2020 and 2024, the committee logged 34 complaints and issued 11 sanctions. Only three cases produced roster removal.
Comparing Hawaii to Mainland Certification Regimes
Mainland relocators often assume their existing credentials will transfer. They usually do not. California requires 25 to 30 hours of basic training under Dispute Resolution Programs Act rules, plus 8 hours of ethics. Oregon requires 30 hours through the Oregon Mediation Association. Florida requires 40 hours plus a written exam. Hawaii uniquely demands the 40-hour training plus mentorship without an exam.
| Jurisdiction | Basic hours | Exam? | Mentorship | Renewal cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii (HSCADR) | 40 | No | 5 obs plus 3 co-med | 3 years |
| California (DRPA) | 25–30 | No | Program specific | 2 years |
| Oregon (OMA) | 30 | No | Recommended | 3 years |
| Washington | 28–40 | No | Court panel only | 2 years |
| Florida (Supreme Court) | 40 | Yes | Point system | 2 years |
| Texas (ADR Act) | 40 | No | None statewide | Perpetual |
Relocating attorneys used to Washington’s system can find further context in the site’s comparison of the two states. The takeaway is that mainland training does not shortcut the Hawaii mentorship, though it often satisfies continuing education requirements after initial admission.
Practical Costs of Getting on the Roster
The out-of-pocket cost of moving from zero to admitted roster mediator ranges from $2,935 for a scholarship-supported candidate on Hawaii Island to $5,135 for a full-tuition Oahu candidate carrying both add-ons. The number does not include the opportunity cost of unpaid observation and co-mediation hours, which can consume 60 to 120 hours across nine to twelve months.
| Line item | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic 40-hour training | $895 | $1,395 | $1,650 |
| Family Add-On | $625 | $775 | $890 |
| Appellate Add-On | $525 | $650 | $780 |
| Application fee | $175 | $225 | $275 |
| Professional liability year 1 | $650 | $980 | $1,400 |
| Notary, background, mailing | $65 | $95 | $140 |
| Estimated total | $2,935 | $4,120 | $5,135 |
Neighbor-island candidates should budget for interisland travel because Oahu remains the hub for most co-mediation opportunities and specialty add-on courses. Roundtrip flights from Kauai to Honolulu run $145 to $310, and one overnight in Waikiki adds $180 to $260. A candidate who needs five trips can spend $1,500 to $2,800 in travel alone.
Continuing education and renewal
After the initial three-year term, renewal requires 12 CE hours across three domains: ethics, skill-building, and cultural competency. HSCADR approves CE from national providers, so renewals rarely require inter-island travel. CE registration usually runs $35 to $65 per hour. Twelve hours therefore cost $420 to $780 per renewal cycle.
Common Pitfalls, Denials, and How to Avoid Them
Most denials stem from incomplete mentorship documentation rather than character issues. HSCADR staff report that roughly 22 percent of first-time packets are returned for revision within the first review. Common causes include vague mentor attestations, missing observation reflection memos, or a Family Add-On applied for without the domestic violence screening module.
- Missing signed mentor attestation covering all three co-mediation cases.
- Reflection memos shorter than the required two pages per observation.
- Basic training completed with a non-approved mainland provider.
- Family Add-On requested without domestic violence screening completion.
- Professional liability declaration below the $500,000 threshold.
- Notarization missing on the moral-character affidavit page.
- Background check consent form omitted or unsigned.
Denials rarely close the door permanently. Applicants receive a written cure letter and 60 days to correct deficiencies. Fewer than 4 percent of packets are denied outright, and those cases almost always involve pending criminal proceedings or unresolved bar discipline in another jurisdiction.
Attorneys who mediate cases involving estate planning documents should familiarize themselves with tangential Hawaii probate and trust rules, such as those covered under HRS 554D trust decanting and the small-asset probate affidavit. Family mediators encounter the same materials during property division sessions.
Setting Up a Practice After Roster Admission
Admission is a milestone, not a business plan. Roster mediators typically source 40 to 60 percent of their caseload from HSCADR referrals and build the balance through private-pay clients, attorney networks, and community organizations. Marketing budgets are modest because roster inclusion itself confers credibility.
Office logistics matter. Neutral space is essential; parties dislike meeting in a mediator’s home. Coworking spaces in downtown Honolulu, Hilo, Kihei, and Lihue rent hourly rooms for $28 to $85 per hour. Some mediators reserve conference rooms at the City and County of Honolulu facilities for community matters at reduced or zero cost.
Home-based mediators who use an accessory dwelling for their office should confirm zoning compliance under Honolulu’s ADU and ohana permit rules. Business use of a residential ADU is limited on Oahu and requires disclosure to the property owner if the mediator rents.
Rate cards and payment logistics
Roster mediators typically publish a rate card. A common structure charges $150 per hour for the first three hours of a sliding-scale referral, $275 per hour for private civil matters, and $425 per hour for pre-trial appellate mediation. Some mediators accept flat-fee packages of $1,850 to $3,200 for full-day family mediations.
Payment processing usually flows through a business account rather than a personal one. Roster mediators register with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs as sole proprietors, single-member LLCs, or professional corporations. LLC filing fees start at $50. Registered agents cost $100 to $250 per year.
How Relocating Families Encounter Roster Mediators
Even readers who never plan to become mediators encounter the roster during ordinary relocations. Homebuyers using owner-financing disputes, HOA disagreements, contractor disputes over lanai remodels, and custody arrangements after a mainland divorce all touch mediation. Understanding the roster helps consumers select the right neutral.
Real estate matters often involve deed-recording questions handled at the Bureau of Conveyances. Mediators help parties settle before recording. Buyers who want background on the underlying recording system should review the Bureau of Conveyances fee structure and the distinction between bargain and sale versus limited warranty deeds.
Family disputes that overlap with financial decisions may involve a Power of Attorney assigned to a spouse or adult child. The Hawaii HRS 551E uniform form governs those instruments. Mediators regularly work with copies of these documents when spouses disagree about caregiving responsibilities for an aging parent.
Households relocating with children may also use family mediation to negotiate school placement, activity schedules, or shared vehicle use. The broader logistics of an interisland move with kids are covered in the site’s complete family relocation guide. Comparative cost data on state expenses is available through the Honolulu Consumer Price Index.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hawaii mediator certification actually mandatory to practice?
No. Hawaii does not license mediators the way it licenses attorneys. Anyone can advertise mediation services. However, court-referred cases, most agency work, and community program referrals flow exclusively through the HSCADR roster. Practitioners who want a steady caseload and access to court-annexed work almost always pursue roster admission.
How long does the full process usually take?
Realistic timelines run 9 to 18 months from enrollment in the 40-hour training to receipt of the roster admission letter. The mentorship phase is the biggest variable because senior mentors carry limited slots. Neighbor-island candidates typically take longer than Oahu candidates because Oahu hosts most co-mediation opportunities and specialty coursework.
Can mainland training satisfy the 40-hour requirement?
No. HSCADR specifically requires a 40-hour training approved by the Hawaii Judiciary, not by mainland accreditors. Mainland certifications may satisfy renewal continuing education after admission, but they do not shortcut initial training. This rule frustrates relocating professionals, but the state defends it on cultural competency and local rules grounds.
What does mediator liability insurance cost in Hawaii?
Standalone professional liability policies for mediators cost $650 to $1,400 per year in 2025. Attorneys already carrying malpractice coverage usually add a mediation endorsement for $180 to $340 annually. HSCADR requires either proof of $500,000 in coverage or a signed self-insurance declaration attesting to personal assets sufficient to cover claims.
How much can a roster mediator actually earn?
Compensation ranges widely. Sliding-scale program referrals pay $75 to $225 per hour. Private civil mediations bill $250 to $600 per hour. Appellate mediators command the highest rates. Working roster mediators who combine referrals and private work typically report gross annual revenue between $32,000 and $145,000, depending on hours, marketing effort, and specialty designations.
Do neighbor-island candidates face extra hurdles?
Yes. Add-on trainings, senior mentors, and observation opportunities cluster on Oahu. Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island candidates commonly budget five interisland trips at $145 to $310 roundtrip per flight, plus overnight lodging. A neighbor-island applicant should expect $1,500 to $2,800 in travel expenses layered on top of the standard training and application costs.
What triggers roster removal after admission?
Removal is uncommon. Between 2020 and 2024, only three of 34 complaints resulted in roster removal. Triggers include serious ethics violations, failure to complete 12 continuing education hours per renewal cycle, missing three consecutive referral acceptance thresholds, or an unresolved bar discipline case in another jurisdiction. Most complaints resolve with private admonition or continuing education.