Leaders of Hawai'i's legal community are hoping to raise up to $1 million in private money to help pay legal costs for the state's poor.

The money would defray the court expenses of low- and moderate-income residents who otherwise would be unable to afford legal representation, according to the Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i, which started the fundraising drive this week.

The fundraising drive, which already has raised about $300,000 will be aimed primarily at private legal firms in the state, said David Wallace, director of development and communications for the society.

"This is the first time we're really looking beyond grants from the government and nonprofit groups to help pay for our costs," Wallace said.

The fund drive comes on the heels of a report last week that found that only one in five low- and moderate-income residents can afford legal services. The Legal Aid Society, a nonprofit group that provides attorneys at reduced costs to low-income residents, says it has to turn away two of every three people who contact it for assistance.

The report found that there is one private attorney for every 361 people in Hawai'i, but only one legal-service attorney for every 4,402 potential legal-services clients.

"Many Hawai'i residents face critical legal needs without being able to obtain an attorney," said David Fairbanks, an attorney who heads the society's fundraising effort. "These critical needs include securing affordable housing, protection from domestic violence, family stability, living in a safe and secure home, access to healthcare and income support."

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.