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 the opportunity to witness the Hawai'i Supreme Court in action.
This event is part of the Judiciary’s Courts in the Community program, aimed at educating students about the Judiciary's role in government and its function in resolving disputes in a democratic society.
According to the media advisory, only one media outlet needs to apply for coverage, and the restriction on pooling coverage from one camera has been waived for this case. However, photographing or filming the students in the audience will not be permitted, with privacy considerations in mind.
Following the oral argument, Chief Justice Recktenwald and a few students will be available for on-camera interviews. Additionally, students will engage in question-and-answer sessions with the attorneys and justices, although these sessions will not be open to the media or the public to safeguard the privacy of the students.
The event will be moderated by Attorney Mark M. Murakami, with Hawaii State Bar Association President Jesse Souki serving as the master of ceremonies. The participation of the Hawai'i Supreme Court at Kailua High School marks a unique opportunity for students to gain firsthand insight into the judicial process.