HSBA Senior Counsel Division

About Us

The Senior Counsel Division is a bar initiative to serve and engage our members who are age 50 and older, which comprises half of our membership. The Hawaii State Bar Association first explored the idea of creating a Senior Counsel Division during its 2008 and 2009 bar strategic planning process. Thus, a planning committee was formed to develop a Senior Counsel Division (SCD). The division was established as a pilot project on April 23, 2009 upon the HSBA Board's approval of the SCD Bylaws, and recognized as a formal entity in October 2022 when it was added to the HSBA Constitution and Bylaws.

SCD President's Message
Scott Spallina 
(July 2024)

Aloha,

As we just celebrated another anniversary of our nation’s independence, we find ourselves deep in the silly season of elections. With questions of “are these really our choices” and “why aren’t more people involved in the democratic process”, it is no wonder that participation in the election process is low. I am of course writing about the Senior Counsel Division’s (SCD) upcoming elections and the need for more candidates to apply for the vacate positions available next year. In the coming weeks, an email will be sent seeking additional active and inactive bar members to throw their hats in the ring for an opportunity to be an officer on the board for SCD. As a board member, one will have a direct impact on how the SCD will accomplish its mission of servicing those in the bar who are age 50 and older and assisting our kupuna in the community at large.

An example of this service to the community will take place on Saturday August 3, 2024, when the SCD will be manning an information booth at the Aging in Place Workshop at the Ala Moana Hotel. This all day event is free to the public and is a great opportunity for seniors to hear lectures from experts on over 20 subjects ranging from estate planning to adult daycare to navigating Social Security and Medicare. This is the second largest senior resource fair of the year, and there will be over 40 government and non-profit agencies that services to kupuna. For more information, please visit Generations Magazine's website.

Another opportunity to serve our community will take place on September 21, 2024, when the SCD will once again join others in helping the Hawaii Foodbank fill boxes for their Senior Food Box Packing event. The SCD has throughout the year assisted in packing thousands of boxes of food for low-income seniors. This will actually be SCD’s third time this year participating in this program. If you are interested in joining us or would like more information, please email our SCD Oahu Director Gilbert Doles.

Last month, SCD Secretary and former President Scott Makuakane shared his expert knowledge of estate planning on the Big Island by giving a training to the Seniors of the Big Island. It was very well received and appreciated by all those who attended.

Lastly, SCD’s monthly Coffee Hour for July featured Social Security Administration Public Affairs Specialist and Military Liaison Jane Burigsay. Jane has been with the SSA for over 28 years, and her knowledge and experienced clearly showed in her lecture. At the conclusion of her presentation, she was bombarded with questions from the audience about this very important subject. Given how this area is constantly changing, Jane’s presentation could not be uploaded to Youtube like SCD’s previous Coffee Hour presentations. However, SCD is planning on inviting Jane back next year for an update on Social Security and Medicare [note; the previously mentioned Aging in Place conference will have two separate presentations on this subject].

Our meeting next month will be on August 1, 2024, and will feature Jerry Clay who will be speaking on Partnering. Please be safe this summer outdoor time and try to enjoy everything that makes Hawaii “paradise."

Aloha.

2024 SCD Board of Officers and Directors

PositionFull NameTerm StartTerm End
PresidentScott Michael Spallina1/1/2024 12:00:00 AM12/31/2024 12:00:00 AM
Vice PresidentIan Lorne Sandison1/1/2024 12:00:00 AM12/31/2024 12:00:00 AM
SecretaryScott A. Makuakane1/1/2024 12:00:00 AM12/31/2024 12:00:00 AM
TreasurerGregory L. Lui-Kwan1/1/2024 12:00:00 AM12/31/2024 12:00:00 AM
Director - OahuGilbert C. Doles1/1/2024 12:00:00 AM12/31/2025 12:00:00 AM
Director - OahuMichael J.Y. Wong1/1/2024 12:00:00 AM12/31/2025 12:00:00 AM
Director - Big IslandCharlene Y. Iboshi1/1/2024 12:00:00 AM12/31/2025 12:00:00 AM
Director - KauaiJonathan J. Chun1/1/2024 12:00:00 AM12/31/2025 12:00:00 AM
Director - OahuJean Malia Orque1/1/2023 12:00:00 AM12/31/2024 12:00:00 AM
Director - OahuHarvey M. Demetrakopoulos1/1/2023 12:00:00 AM12/31/2024 12:00:00 AM
Director - MauiDavid Malcolm Raatz, Jr.1/1/2024 12:00:00 AM12/31/2025 12:00:00 AM
Director - OahuSue Vo Hansen1/1/2023 12:00:00 AM12/31/2024 12:00:00 AM
Director - OahuDawn Malia Nekoba1/1/2024 12:00:00 AM12/31/2025 12:00:00 AM

 Senior Counsel Division Projects

How to Volunteer or Get Involved

We invite and encourage members to take an active role in Senior Counsel Division!