Hear From the HSBA Executive Director

Aloha,

First of all, a huge thank you for making Law Day 2026 on May 1st such an overwhelming success. Over 100 HSBA members renewed their oaths statewide. A heartfelt mahalo to the Hawaii State Judiciary, including CJ Recktenwald (ret.), Justice Ginoza, Justice McKenna, Judge Hamman, Judge Soong, Judge Nagata, Judge Jackson, and Judiciary staff for welcoming attorneys into their courtrooms for this momentous occasion. We also had several retired judges join us statewide to renew their oaths. As commented by many HSBA members, retaking the oath is a poignant and sometimes emotional experience for many of our members. It’s a reminder of the dignity of the profession and of the ethical values we swore to uphold when we started out as new lawyers. Thank you for making this event memorable and meaningful.

Disaster Legal Response CLE Series: We had over 100 registrants for our 2nd CLE in April. This series serves as a timely reminder that lawyers are often on the frontlines of disaster response. We have a specialized skill set that is critical; and we can serve as a lifeline for survivors to access support and assistance after an emergency or disaster. Our 3rd CLE in this series will be held in mid-June. We will be covering foreclosure, temporary housing, evictions, and other housing issues. Please be on the lookout for the Save the Date. Additionally, if you’re looking to provide volunteer legal assistance to disaster or emergency survivors, please visit the Want to Help? Link on the Legal Aid Services Hawaii website. Legal issues continue to emerge from the Kona Low, and any legal assistance is appreciated.

Important Judiciary Update: Mandatory Transition to Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for JEFS Users
The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary will implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for the Judiciary Electronic Filing System (JEFS) this summer. This security enhancement is designed to bolster system integrity and protect sensitive case data.

• JEFS will utilize myHawaii.gov for secure authentication. To maintain uninterrupted access to electronic filing services, all users will need to have a registered myHawaii account. myHawaii.gov accounts are available at no cost. JEFS users are strongly encouraged to establish their accounts immediately to ensure a seamless transition when MFA goes live.
• Be on the lookout for more information as this change gets closer.

Pau Hana: The HSBA/HSBF Pau Hana 2026 will be held on Wednesday, August 19th. This annual get together is a wonderful opportunity to gather with friends and colleagues while raising funds for critical legal needs in our community. Sponsorship letters will be going out soon and members can register via check (made out to HSBF and mailed to HSBA) or online at 2026 Pau Hana.

Take care,
Cathy