Hawaii State Judiciary
Recent News About Hawaii State Judiciary
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Hawaiʻi Supreme Court educates students with community outreach at Mililani High
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court held a session at Mililani High School on December 10, as part of the Judiciary's Courts in the Community outreach program.
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Judge M. Kanani Laubach receives Meritorious Service Award from Hawaiʻi County Bar Association
Third Circuit Deputy Chief Judge M. Kanani Laubach has been recognized by the Hawaiʻi County Bar Association with the Meritorious Service Award.
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Discussion explores queer justice history in Hawaii
A virtual discussion titled "Kaulike No Nā Mea A Pau: Toward Queer Justice in Hawaiʻi" is set to take place on Monday, November 25, 2024, from noon to 1 p.m. (HST) via Zoom.
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Chief Justice Recktenwald receives second Spirit of Justice Award
Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald was honored with the Spirit of Justice Award by the Hawaii Justice Foundation (HJF) at their annual meeting on October 29.
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Hawai'i honors pro bono attorneys and student essay winners at annual celebration
Attorneys who provided free legal services were recognized at the Hawaiʻi Access to Justice Commission’s 2024 Pro Bono Celebration on October 30 in Honolulu.
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Hilo Courthouse warns public about phone scams targeting residents
The public is being alerted to a phone scam involving individuals impersonating officials from the Hilo Courthouse, known as Hale Kaulike, in an effort to extort money from residents of Hawaiʻi Island.
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Justice McKenna serves as volunteer justice pro tem in Northern Mariana Islands
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina S. McKenna recently visited Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam.
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Law & Justice Academy introduces high schoolers to legal world
HILO, Hawaiʻi – A group of 20 high school students from various schools on Hawaiʻi Island spent their fall break at the first Hilo Law & Justice Academy held at Hale Kaulike (Hilo courthouse). This three-day program was designed to educate students about civics and the legal system, culminating in a mock trial exercise.
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Judge Wendy M. DeWeese honored for community contributions by Going Home Hawaiʻi
Third Circuit Chief Judge Wendy M. DeWeese was recently recognized with the Ka Lehua Kea Hiwahiawa Award by Going Home Hawaiʻi for her significant contributions to the community on Hawaiʻi island. The award ceremony took place as part of Going Home Hawaiʻi's 20th-anniversary celebrations, which marks two decades of aiding individuals in reintegrating into community life through various support services.
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Judiciary hosts successful bench warrant recall clinic in Waiʻanae
Hawaiʻi State Judiciary judges and staff dedicated a Saturday afternoon to assist individuals with bench warrant and penal summons recalls at the Waiʻanae Public Library. The clinic, which focused on traffic and petty misdemeanor cases, processed 46 ex-parte motions prepared by the Office of the Public Defender. New hearing dates were assigned for those seeking assistance.
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Probation officers sworn in at Oʻahu conference focusing on community supervision
Sixty-one new probation officers were officially inducted by Chief Judge Jeannette Castagnetti during the First Circuit Probation Conference. Chief Court Administrator Lori Okita and Deputy Chief Court Administrator Dwight Sakai presented the new officers with lei and certificates of appointment.
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Four new judges sworn in as circuit court judges in Honolulu
Rebecca A. Copeland, Brian A. Costa, Dyan M. Medeiros, and Steven R. Nichols have officially taken their oaths as Circuit Court Judges of the First Circuit in Honolulu. The ceremony was held today with colleagues, special guests, family members, and friends in attendance.
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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...