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. This initiative allowed nearly 400 students from ʻAiea, Leilehua, McKinley, Mililani, Radford, and Waipahu high schools to observe oral arguments in a real case.
The case presented was SCAP-23-0000540, Bell vs. Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority. It involved a tenant who faced eviction after a guest caused serious injury to her downstairs neighbor. The eviction board ruled that the guest's actions breached the rental agreement. Following the oral argument, students participated in question-and-answer sessions with both the attorneys and the five justices.
Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald highlighted the importance of this educational program by stating: “Courts in the Community is one of the Judiciary’s foremost programs to educate students and the public about the rule of law and the role of the courts in resolving disputes in a democratic society.” He emphasized that it helps students understand how courts work to find truth through an integrity-driven process. He expressed gratitude to teachers, the Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA), Hawaii State Bar Foundation, and volunteer attorneys for their contributions.
Jesse Souki, President of HSBA, praised the judiciary's commitment to education: “I commend the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary for its continued commitment to educating Hawaiʻi’s youth through the Courts in the Community program.” Souki added that HSBA supports this initiative as it encourages civic engagement and appreciation for legal processes among future leaders.
The event was accessible beyond those present; it was livestreamed on YouTube via Hawaiʻi State Judiciary’s channel and broadcast live on ʻŌlelo Community Media Television.
Courts in the Community provides practical civics education by involving students directly with significant legal issues. Students prepared for this session using materials from Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center and University of Hawaiʻi’s William S. Richardson School of Law's Students for Public Outreach and Civic Education. HSBA attorneys facilitated moot court activities where students practiced arguing cases themselves.
This session marked the 21st occurrence of Courts in the Community since its inception at Farrington High School in February 2012. Mililani High School last hosted such an event ten years ago on December 4, 2014.