Hawaii State Judiciary
Recent News About Hawaii State Judiciary
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Michelle N. Comeau sworn in as District Court Judge for First Circuit
Michelle N. Comeau was sworn in as Judge of the District Court of the First Circuit before colleagues, special guests, family, and friends, many of whom watched remotely. Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna presided over the July 3 ceremony, which was livestreamed on the Judiciary’s YouTube channel.
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Hawaii County Bar Association recognizes scholarship winner
The Hawaii County Bar Association (HCBA) convened in Hilo on June 7 to honor the recipient of its annual essay contest and scholarship program.
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Chief Justice Recktenwald's Juneteenth message emphasizes continued pursuit of racial equality
HONOLULU — On this historic day in 1865, word of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Galveston, Texas, marking the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is both a time to honor the freedom and resilience of Black Americans and to reflect upon their pursuit of true racial equality that continues to this day.
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Kauaʻi holds first-ever Law Day art contest for middle school students
LIHU‘E, Hawaiʻi – Seven eighth-grade students from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School participated in the Fifth Judicial Circuit's inaugural Law Day Art Contest by submitting original artworks based on the theme “The Rule of Law and Lady Justice.”
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Kauaʻi Self-Help Center Attorney Training equips attorneys for statewide initiative
On May 14, 2024, more than 20 attorneys participated in the Kauaʻi Self-Help Center Attorney Training. This event, which provided continuing legal education, was designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to contribute to the statewide initiative aimed at enhancing access to justice for Hawaiʻi residents requiring assistance with civil legal matters.
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Hawai'i Women Lawyers honor Judges Browning and Morikawa
HONOLULU — First Circuit Chief Judge R. Mark Browning (ret.) and First Circuit Judge Trish K. Morikawa have been honored by the Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers (HWL). The recognition took place on April 25 at the Hoʻokupu Center.
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Tides of Change: Mapping the Legacy of U.S. Island Imperialism and Community Empowerment
The upcoming event titled “Tides of Change: Mapping the Legacy of U.S. Island Imperialism and Community Empowerment” promises to shed light on an important aspect of history and community development. Scheduled for May 9 and 16, 2024, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Aliʻiōlani Hale Supreme Court Courtroom, the series is co-sponsored by prominent organizations.The King Kamehameha V History Center, in collaboration with the Center for Biographical Research at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Brigham Young University-Hawaiʻi Jonathan Nāpela Center for Hawaiian and Pacific...
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Courts in the Community: Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Holds its First Oral Argument at Kailua High School
KAILUA, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court convened today at Kailua High School, giving more than 300 students the opportunity to observe oral argument in an actual case. Students from various schools attended as part of the Judiciary’s Courts in the Community outreach program.They watched attorneys representing both parties present their legal arguments in a specific case involving a defendant accused of operating a vehicle under the influence. Following the oral argument, students had the chance to engage in two question-and-answer sessions with the attorneys and the...
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Hawai'i Supreme Court to Hold First Oral Argument at Kailua High School
Hawai'i Supreme Court justices, including Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald and Associate Justice Sabrina S. McKenna, will be holding their first oral argument at Kailua High School on April 26, 2024. The event will take place in the Kailua High School Gymnasium, with doors opening to the public at 9:30 a.m.The oral argument will be in the case of SCWC-21-0000679, STATE OF HAWAI‘I, Respondent/Plaintiff-Appellee, vs. CHARLES TUNG MING YUEN, Petitioner/Defendant-Appellant. More than 300 students from Kailua High School, Kalāheo High School, and Le Jardin Academy will have...
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Celebrating 150 Years of Law, Civics, & Culture at Aliʻiōlani Hale
The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center is gearing up to celebrate the rich history and legal impacts of Aliʻiōlani Hale, the iconic capitol building of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the long-time home of Hawaiʻi’s Supreme Court. The event, set to take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 12:30 to 4:00 PM, will offer attendees a unique opportunity to engage with the past through guided reflections and reenactments.Historical figures will come to life during the event, sharing personal accounts from different periods of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Among the notable...
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Jury Duty Scam Persists
HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary is warning the public about the ongoing threat of scammers impersonating law enforcement officials and Judiciary employees in a ploy to deceive individuals regarding jury duty obligations.According to the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary, scammers are falsely claiming that individuals have warrants for their arrest due to failing to appear for jury duty. Emphasizing the deceptive nature of these tactics, the Judiciary stated, "The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary is warning the public that scammers continue to pose as police officers, sheriffs, and...
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Deadline Further Extended to Submit Applications for State Ethics Commission
HONOLULU – The Judicial Council announced today that the deadline to submit applications to fill a vacancy on the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission is further extended from March 22 to April 15, 2024. Members of the Commission serve on a voluntary basis, and travel expenses incurred by neighbor island commissioners to attend meetings on Oʻahu will be reimbursed.Applicants must be U.S. citizens, residents of the State of Hawaiʻi, and may not hold any other public office. The Ethics Commission addresses ethical issues involving legislators, registered lobbyists, and state...
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Chief Justice Appoints District Court Judge
HONOLULU – Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald has appointed Michelle N. Comeau to fill a judicial vacancy in the District Court of the First Circuit on the island of O‘ahu. Comeau, who has been serving as a Per Diem District Court Judge since 2017, brings a wealth of experience to her new role.Comeau is currently affiliated Of Counsel with the firm of Nakashima Ching, LLC, where she specializes in property law and other civil matters. Prior to this position, she worked at Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing, focusing on civil rights, torts, property law, and regulatory law matters....
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Justice McKenna Receives Honorary Doctorate from Ryukyu University
HONOLULU — Justice Sabrina S. McKenna was awarded an honorary doctorate in Philosophy by Ryukyu University President Mutsumi Nishida. The prestigious recognition was bestowed upon Justice McKenna before her keynote address at the March 17 symposium on How the Law Addresses DV.According to the article, the honorary doctorate received by Justice McKenna marks a significant milestone for Ryukyu University, being only the 44th in the universityʻs 74-year history. President Nishida highlighted Justice McKenna's long-standing contributions to the university, stating, "Justice...
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Applicants Sought to Fill Vacancies on the Disciplinary Board of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court
HONOLULU – The Nominating Committee of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court is on the lookout for suitable candidates to fill vacancies on the Disciplinary Board of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. The committee is seeking to fill two non-attorney positions and four attorney positions, with applicants from all islands encouraged to apply.According to the Nominating Committee, the terms for these positions will commence on July 1, 2024, and conclude on June 30, 2027, with full terms lasting for three years. The Disciplinary Board plays a crucial role in overseeing the Office of...
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Applicants Sought for Attorneys and Judges Assistance Program Board
The Attorneys and Judges Assistance Program Board (AAP) in Hawaii is currently seeking applicants to fill two attorney board positions, as reported on hawaiiaap.com. The positions, each with a term of three years, are set to commence on June 30, 2024, and conclude on June 30, 2027. Board members are expected to serve without compensation.According to the announcement, the responsibilities of the Board involve implementing policies and procedures to support the program's objectives. These objectives aim to provide assistance to attorneys and judges dealing with substance...
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Celebrating National Judicial Outreach Week 2024
HONOLULU — Hawaiʻi judges and justices recently participated in National Judicial Outreach Week, aiming to promote a better understanding of the rule of law and the importance of education among students and the general public.First Circuit District Court Judge Timothy E. Ho shared insights with students at Nimitz Elementary School during a career day, emphasizing how education can prepare them for future careers in the legal field. He was joined by Circuit Court Judge Faʻauuga L. Toʻotoʻo, who engaged with students from Hilo High School.On Maui, Second Circuit Chief...