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Bilingual Access Line

Interpreters and Translators

Language Services

For over 35 years, the Bilingual Access Line (BAL) has delivered language services to local businesses and agencies through our skilled interpreters and translators.  

Our interpreters are professional, courteous, prompt, culturally aware, and follow HIPAA standards and a professional code of ethics that focuses on maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and neutrality. 

For more information on your impact, contact us at bal@helpinghandshawaii.org or (808) 526-9724. 

Contact

Services

Translation & Interpretation

Interpretation services:

  • On-site Interpretation for scheduled in-person appointments
  • Audio Interpretation for scheduled or on-demand appointments over the phone 
  • Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) for scheduled or on-demand appointments through our VRI meeting platform

Translation services for:

  • Advertising and marketing materials, such as forms, brochures, and announcements
  • Educational notices, such as letters to parents, reports on a child’s educational plan, and assessments
  • Documents for medical or legal use, such as medical history records, rental and housing agreements, and employment verification

Bilingual Access Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question about our interpreting services? Please check out the answers to our most frequently asked questions below:

Interpreting consists of listening to a speaker in one language and conveying the content of what is being said into words of a second language without losing linguistic and cultural meaning. It is done in person, through audio (over the phone), or through video. 

Translating consists of conveying written words from one language in a source document into written words of a second language without losing linguistic and cultural meaning.

Simultaneous interpreting (otherwise known as real-time interpreting) is when the speaker’s voice is interpreted without interruption as s/he is speaking. The speaker and interpreter are speaking at the same time.

Consecutive interpreting is when the interpreter waits for the speaker to complete a passage of speech before conveying it in the desired language. The speaker and interpreter alternate speaking.

On-Demand Audio means instant connection with an interpreter via telephone. On-Demand Video means instant connection with an interpreter via videoconferencing technology.

For Scheduled In Person (face-to-face) and Scheduled Audio (over-the-telephone) interpretation, available languages are: Cantonese, Chuukese, Ilokano, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Mandarin, Marshallese, Pohnpeian, Portuguese, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog, Taiwanese, Thai, Tongan, Vietnamese, and Visayan. 

For On-Demand Audio and On-Demand Video Interpretation, you can choose from 250+ languages and American Sign Language (ASL). Click here for a List of Languages.

You can schedule an appointment with an interpreter 24/7 365 days of the year through the web platform. Or use the app on your phone, tablet, or laptop to request an On-Demand Audio or On-Demand Video interpretation for immediate language assistance.

There is no substitute for a qualified and properly trained interpreter who is an unbiased and neutral party. Family members may become emotionally distressed when receiving upsetting news, may incorrectly interpret information, or it may be inappropriate for certain family members to discuss personal conditions.

We accept credit cards, purchase orders, pCards, and checks.

Create an account with us. Download a Vendor information form and email it to

bal@helpinghandshawaii.org.

Once your account is established, requesting an interpreter is simple. Download an Interpreter request form and email it to bal@helpinghandshawaii.org.