Hear From the HSBF President

On behalf of Hawai'i State Bar Foundation (HSBF) I want to wish a very Happy New Year to all members of the Hawai'i bar. As 2026 begins, the fundamental importance of Hawai'i lawyers standing up for the rule of law has never been more evident.

It is no exaggeration to say that Hawaiʻi lawyers face a moment of uncommon gravity. Across the nation, our legal system is experiencing unprecedented attacks — from efforts to delegitimize courts and judges, to disregard settled constitutional principles, to undermine public confidence in the fairness and independence of our legal system. In this environment, our role as Hawaiʻi lawyers has never been more essential.
In these difficult times, standing up for the rule of law is not a political act. It is a professional obligation rooted in our oaths, our ethical rules, and our shared commitment to justice.

The core values of our legal system are that no person is above the law, that legal disputes are resolved through reasoned process rather than intimidation or favoritism, and that rights are protected consistently and fairly.
This year more than ever, Hawaiʻi’s legal community is called to actively defend these core values.

When democratic principles are challenged, the legal profession cannot remain silent. We must work to explain the law to the public and push back against misinformation that erodes confidence in justice itself. In times of uncertainty, lawyers must be voices of steadiness, reminding our communities that the law is stronger than any individual or momentary pressure.

The unprecedented attacks we face take many forms. They may appear as efforts to intimidate judges, to weaponize legal processes for improper ends, to ignore court orders, or to portray lawyers as obstacles rather than guardians of fairness. They may take the form of hostility toward the idea of independent legal advice or ethical constraint. Each of these challenges tests whether our profession will uphold its core values when they are threatened.

Hawaiʻi lawyers have long demonstrated that commitment through service — representing indigent clients, volunteering in self-help centers, serving as court-appointed counsel, and ensuring that even the most marginalized individuals are heard. In 2026, that commitment must also extend to defending the integrity of the legal system itself. Upholding ethical standards, insisting on accuracy and honesty in advocacy, and modeling respect for courts and opposing counsel are not merely professional courtesies; they are acts of resistance against the erosion of the rule of law.

For HSBA members, this moment calls for renewed solidarity across practice areas, ideologies, and generations. Whether you are a solo practitioner, a big firm lawyer, a public servant, an in-house counsel, or a member of the judiciary, your role matters. The rule of law is preserved not only through landmark cases, but through daily decisions to act with integrity, courage, and respect for legal norms.

In 2026, Hawaiʻi lawyers are called upon to do what our profession has always done at its best: to stand firm when principles are tested, to defend justice when it is challenged, and to ensure that the rule of law remains not just an ideal, but a lived reality for all of the people of Hawaiʻi