AARP Tax‑Aide Opens at Kukui Grove Offering Free In‑Person Tax Help

Alan Momohara, listed as in charge of the AARP Tax‑Aide Kauai program, worked with IRS‑trained and certified volunteers when a free Tax‑Aide station opened at Kukui Grove Center in Līhu‘e on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Photographs by Dennis Fujimoto show greeters pre‑checking paperwork and volunteers seated across from Oki’s Bento preparing 2025 federal and state returns for low‑ and moderate‑income taxpayers and other residents.

Published accounts list different storefront details for the Kukui Grove pop‑up: The Garden Island and photo captions place the service across from Oki’s Bento and T‑Mobile, while KauaiNow’s event posting says the suite is next to Sone’s at the food court and the Hirono Senate calendar gives an address of Kukui Grove Center Kaumualii Hwy Ste 1710, Līhu‘e 96766. Reported hours also vary: The Garden Island noted service continued 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 20; an Instagram post promoted Feb. 20–21 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; KauaiNow and Hirono list pop‑up dates Mar. 28–29 with morning hours between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Clients at the Kukui Grove opening were encouraged to bring specific documents. The Garden Island recommends a government‑issued ID such as a driver’s license, all 2025 tax documents, a copy of the 2024 tax return and, optionally, a bank check for direct deposit instructions. Tax‑Aide greeters were offering a registration form that lists all needed tax documents to facilitate registration at other Tax‑Aide sites.

AARP Tax‑Aide on Kauai is operating as part of the national Tax‑Aide program, which KauaiNow describes as the nation’s largest free tax assistance service. KauaiNow’s background numbers note volunteers staff more than 3,600 locations nationwide each season; since 1968 Tax‑Aide has helped over 80 million taxpayers, and last year nearly 28,000 volunteers secured about $1.3 billion in refunds for more than 1.7 million people. Locally, Tax‑Aide focuses on people 50 and over and low‑ to moderate‑income filers, but the service is available to people of all ages and does not require AARP membership.

Other Kauai sites and schedules appear in public calendars. The Hirono Senate listing shows Līhu‘e Neighborhood Center at 3353 Eono St open Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. from Feb. 11 through Apr. 1 and notes first‑come, first‑served service. Nationaltoday reported more than 20 taxpayers waited in line at 8 a.m. on the first day at the Līhu‘e Neighborhood Center. Alan Momohara told Nationaltoday the program is partnering with the Kauai Veterans Council to open at the Kauai Veterans Center along Veterans Memorial Highway from 9 to 11:30 a.m., adding, "The Kauai Veterans Council is encouraging all veterans on the island to take advantage of the AARP Tax‑Aide Program at the Kauai Veterans Center."

Some locations require appointments or offer drop‑off and pick‑up service. GATHER FCU branches list appointment lines at (808) 245‑1201; Hawaii Tax Help Kauai lists an appointment line at (808) 245‑0041 and a drop‑off site at 3201 Akahi St in Līhu‘e. Organizers and news accounts say Tax‑Aide will continue at multiple locations across the island and expand hours through the spring tax season, offering free, IRS‑certified preparation to help residents claim credits and refunds.