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Online psychiatry for Hawaii
Telepsychiatry for adults across Hawaii, from Honolulu and the rest of Oahu to Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island, and across the neighbor islands where local appointments can be hardest to find. Expert care by secure video, without the inter island flight or the long wait.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Published June 7, 2026 · Last reviewed June 8, 2026 · Editorial policy
An island state
Care across the islands
Hawaii's geography shapes everything about getting care. Psychiatric clinicians cluster in Honolulu and the rest of Oahu, while Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island carry real shortages of their own. On the neighbor islands, the nearest in person psychiatrist can be a separate matter entirely, since reaching one sometimes means an inter island flight, a full day away from work, and a cost that puts care out of reach.
Even on Oahu, traffic and distance across the island turn a routine appointment into a half day errand, and waitlists stay long. For someone in Hilo, Kahului, or Lihue, those barriers stack up, and symptoms tend to deepen while the search drags on.
shrinkMD closes that distance by bringing care to you over secure video, so no channel of ocean stands between you and a clinician. You'll work with a certified clinician (a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner) licensed in Hawaii, with the same warmth, continuity, and follow up you'd expect in person, reachable from any island.
What we treat
Conditions we treat
Care for the full range of adult mental health conditions, by secure video.
Specialty Populations
Athletes, students, professionals, healthcare workers, first responders, and veterans.
Learn more →
From Honolulu to the neighbor islands, expert psychiatric care is a few days away.
How it works
Getting started in Hawaii
Quick intake
Share your history and goals through a simple, secure form, in minutes.
Schedule fast
Pick a near term video visit. No referral, no long waitlist.
Meet your clinician
A thorough evaluation, a clear diagnosis, and a plan built around you.
Ongoing care
Continuity and follow up with the same clinician over time.
Hawaii resources
Mental health resources in Hawaii
Public starting points for care in Hawaii. These are informational, not endorsements, and phone numbers, hours, and eligibility can change, so verify with each agency. None replace evaluation by a licensed clinician.
- Crisis, 24/7: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org). Calls route to a nearby Hawaii crisis center when possible. Call 911 for emergencies.
- Hawaii CARES: 1-800-753-6879, 24/7, the statewide crisis line that screens for safety and connects you to local behavioral health support.
- Mobile crisis response: 988 can coordinate mobile crisis teams where the county or regional system supports it. Availability varies by county across Hawaii.
- State authority: Hawaii Department of Health, Adult Mental Health Division, 808-586-4416, health.hawaii.gov/amhd.
- NAMI Hawaii: helpline, peer led support groups, and education for individuals and families. Find your local affiliate at nami.org/find-your-local-nami.
- Mental Health America affiliates in Hawaii: advocacy, screening tools, and information and referral, where available, at mhanational.org/affiliates.
- 211 Hawaii: dial 211 for free, confidential referrals to behavioral health, housing, food, and transportation. Find your local 211 at 211.org.
- SAMHSA FindSupport: 1-877-726-4727, 24/7, and samhsa.gov/find-support to locate mental health and substance use care.
- Hawaii Medicaid, Med-QUEST: behavioral health coverage and a provider locator at medquest.hawaii.gov.
- Academic care: University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, jabsom.hawaii.edu/departments/psychiatry, which runs specialty mood programs and often accepts community referrals.
- Veterans: find the nearest VA facility at va.gov/find-locations. Veterans Crisis Line, call 988 then press 1, or text 838255.
Cost and coverage
Insurance, access, and appointment availability in Hawaii
shrinkMD operates on a transparent self pay basis, so you always know the cost up front, with no surprise bills. If your plan includes out of network telehealth benefits, we can provide the documentation you need to submit for reimbursement.
We're built for timely access. Many Hawaii patients schedule a full evaluation as soon as availability allows, not the months long wait common in traditional practices, with online scheduling, virtual visits that remove travel and missed workdays, and consistent follow up that never restarts your care.
Local to you
Hawaii cities we serve
shrinkMD provides telepsychiatry across Hawaii, including these cities and their surrounding communities. Each linked city below has a dedicated local page.
- Honolulu
- Pearl City
- Hilo
- Kailua-Kona
- Kahului
- Lihue
- and surrounding communities
Direct answer
Can an online psychiatrist prescribe medication in Hawaii?
Yes. A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner licensed in Hawaii can evaluate you by video and prescribe non controlled psychiatric medication electronically to any Hawaii pharmacy, the same visit. shrinkMD clinicians hold Hawaii licenses, and prescriptions are sent the day they are written. The exception is controlled substances, stimulants and benzodiazepines, which shrinkMD does not prescribe for any patient, in any state.
Keep exploring
Related care and next steps
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Is telepsychiatry legal in Hawaii?
Yes. Telepsychiatry is legal in Hawaii when delivered by a certified clinician (a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner) who holds an active Hawaii license at the time of your appointment. Antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs are not controlled substances.
Do you prescribe controlled medication in Hawaii?
No. shrinkMD does not prescribe controlled substances. We use non controlled medications like SSRIs, SNRIs, and bupropion, paired with coordinated therapy, and your clinician will explain what they can prescribe in Hawaii.
Do I need a referral to be seen in Hawaii?
No referral is needed. You can complete the intake yourself and book directly, which is often faster than waiting for a referral to a neighbor island clinic or an in person office on Oahu.
Can you see me on a neighbor island like Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island?
Yes. We see adults anywhere in Hawaii by secure video, including Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island, so you don't need an inter island flight to reach a clinician. You just need a private space and an internet connection.
How fast can I be seen in Hawaii?
Many patients schedule a full evaluation as soon as availability allows, depending on availability. Telepsychiatry often shortens the wait compared with finding an in person psychiatrist on an island with few local clinicians.
What conditions do you treat in Hawaii?
We care for the full range of adult mental health conditions by video, including anxiety, depression, bipolar and mood disorders, OCD, postpartum and women's mental health, and psychotic disorders, with medication management and therapy coordination.
Does Hawaii Medicaid cover mental health care?
Hawaii Medicaid, delivered through Med-QUEST, covers medically necessary behavioral health services for eligible residents, including therapy and psychiatric medication management. Coverage and in network clinicians vary by plan. Start at medquest.hawaii.gov.
What number do I call in Hawaii for a mental health emergency?
Call or text 988 from anywhere in Hawaii, or call Hawaii CARES at 1-800-753-6879, available 24/7. If you may be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Get started in Hawaii
Expert psychiatric care, wherever you are in Hawaii. Complete the intake and book your evaluation online, often as soon as availability allows.
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