Hawaii Language Bank

In order to ensure all people have equal access to the same opportunities, the United States and the State of Hawaii have laws that ensure those who are limited-English proficient (are English language learners) have equal access to the same information in their own languages.  This is called language access.

Hawai'i has one of the highest relative proportions of non-English speakers in the nation. One in four or 26.5% of Hawai'i residents five years and older, speak a language other than English at home, ranking it ninth among all states.

Pacific Gateway Center's Hawaii Language Bank (HLB) offers interpretation and translation services to the community in more than 35 languages to ensure language access, helping with issues related to health, education, social services, legal, and government documents.

Languages available at our Hawaii Language Bank include:

  • Arabic

  • Armenian

  • Bengali

  • Burmese

  • Cambodian

  • Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin)

  • Chuukese

  • Fijian

  • French

  • Hindi

  • Ilocano

  • Indonesian

  • Japanese

  • Korean

  • Kosraean

  • Laotian

  • Malayalam

  • Marathi

  • Marshallese

  • Mongolian

  • Mortlockese

  • Nepalese

  • Persian/Farsi

  • Pohnpeian

  • Portuguese

  • Russian

  • Samoan

  • Sign Language

  • Spanish

  • Tagalog

  • Taiwanese

  • Thai

  • Tongan

  • Vietnamese

  • Visayan/Cebuano

 

Serving 2,000+ customers per year

Work with a linguist today.

For Interpreters and Translators

If you are interested in becoming an interpreter for HLB:

  1. Provide documentation on educational background, certificates and/or degrees earned.

  2. Successfully pass proficiency tests in both English and the targeted language.

  3. Be a registered Independent Contractor. You must obtain a General Excise Tax (GET) license and a business registered name with all necessary professional insurance coverage.

  4. Possess a minimum of one year’s experience in interpretation.

If you are interested in becoming a translator for HLB:

  1. Provide examples of translation work.

  2. Be a registered Independent Contractor. You must obtain a General Excise Tax (GET) license and a business registered name with all necessary professional insurance coverage.

  3. Possess a minimum of one year’s experience in interpretation.

Currently searching for interpreters/translators in these languages:

Arabic, Armenian, Banga, Bengali, Cambodian, Cebuano, Chuukese, Farsi, French, Hawaiian, Hindi, Indonesian, Kinande, Kosraean, Lao, Lingala, Mortlockese, Nepalese, Pohnpeian, Punjabi, Samoan, Spanish, Swahili, Tahitian, Telugu, Thai, Tongan, Vietnamese, Visayan, Yapese

For more information contact us at (808) 773-7051 or by email at hlb@pacificgatewaycenter.org 

To register your business name and acquire a GET license, complete the process online here.