Hawaii State Judiciary
Recent News About Hawaii State Judiciary
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Second Circuit seeks applicants for independent grand jury counsel in Maui County
The Circuit Court of the Second Circuit, which includes Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi, is currently seeking applicants for the position of independent grand jury counsel.
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Third Circuit seeks applicants for independent grand jury counsel on Hawaiʻi Island
The Circuit Court of the Third Circuit on Hawaiʻi Island is inviting applications for the role of independent grand jury counsel in Hilo and Kona.
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Applications open for per diem judge positions on Hawai'i island
The District Family and District Court of the Third Circuit on Hawaiʻi island is currently seeking attorneys interested in serving as per diem judges.
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Access to justice rooms offer free legal help across Hawaii
Since 2012, the Kapolei Access to Justice Room (KAJR) has offered over 3,090 free consultations to O‘ahu residents, focusing on family law.
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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.”