March e-Newsletter

Members of Hawaiʻi’s legal community are invited to take part in one of the profession’s most anticipated annual traditions—the Hawaiʻi State Bar Foundation’s Law Day Golf Tournament on Monday April 27, 2026. This event brings together attorneys, judges, law firms, and supporters for a day of camaraderie, friendly competition, and fundraising in support of access to justice across the state.

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The Young Lawyers Division is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the 2026 Hawai‘i High School Mock Trial Competition!

 

This year’s Competition marked a historic milestone in the program’s decades-long history, featuring a record-breaking 200 students representing 21 teams from 17 public and private schools across O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, and Hawai‘i Island. As the YLD’s flagship program, this Competition is dedicated to fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and public speaking skills in Hawai‘i’s youth.

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Mark your calendars - and tell your friends!

 

The Hawaii State Bar Foundation Law Day Golf Tournament returns April 27th at the O‘ahu Country Club.

 

Join Hawaii’s legal community for a great day on the green while supporting access to justice across our state. Sponsorship opportunities and ticket sales opening soon - don’t miss your chance to be part of this long-standing Law Day tradition.

Register Here!

Consider offering your expertise or fresh ideas to the HSBA Board by running in the next election as an officer or director.  Apply by April 30th to the HSBA Nominating Committee. Click here for more details.

Questions? Contact the HSBA Programs Department at (808) 792-7336 or CLE@hsba.org.

As we quickly move to end the first quarter of 2026, it’s a great time to connect with qualified clients in an affordable way while promoting your services.

 

Our dedicated LRIS staff screen potential clients to ensure you receive referrals from individuals who are prepared to pay for legal services and whose needs match your practice area.

 

Getting started is easy, simply complete the registration form below with your preferred areas of expertise and we will take care of the rest.  The Pro-rated fee for joining this month is just $187.50.

 

Here’s what some of our continuing subscriber attorney members have said about the program:

 

“Since becoming a member of the Hawai‘i Bar, I have been a long-term participating member of the HSBA Lawyer Referral Service. The HSBA referral service has been a regular source of referrals over the duration of my practice...The HSBA referral service helps the public in obtaining appropriate legal counsel and assists persons who are able to pay normal attorney fees but whose ability to locate appropriate legal representation is frustrated by a lack of experience with the legal system, a lack of information about the type of service needed, or a fear of the potential costs of seeing a lawyer." Carmen Diamore-Siah

 

"The LRIS is extremely useful to the public and HSBA members as it helps direct people in a timely, appropriate and professional manner. Numerous times throughout each week I give out the number to LRIS and my practice gets a great deal of referrals. It is likely my most important membership benefit. Thus, thank you for all the work you do for HSBA members such as myself.” David Brustein

 

To try the service for 3 months, join at $106.25. Or to receive referrals through June 30, 2027 join at just $187.50 using the LRIS Registration Form. For questions or other inquiries contact the administrator at 808-792-7350 or email to LRIS@hsba.org.

• Skylar G. Lucas was recently appointed as a Per Diem District Court Judge of the First Circuit. Judge Lucas’ term is effective March 16, 2026, through March 15, 2027.
• Matthew Bracken was recently appointed as a Per Diem District and District Family Court Judge in the Fifth Circuit. Judge Bracken’s term is effective February 19, 2026, through February 18, 2027.
• Ronette M. Kawakami was recently reappointed as a Per Diem District Court Judge in the First Circuit. Judge Kawakami’s new term is effective March 13, 2026, through September 18, 2029.

The Young Lawyers Division is looking for Legal Lines volunteers. Legal Lines is a weekly hotline with services provided by attorney volunteers every Wednesday night from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Attorneys provide legal information to the general public. Calls are being answered remotely and will be forwarded to your mobile phone, so you can take calls from your office or home. If you are interested in providing legal information to the public in these trying times, please contact the YLD at yldhawaii@gmail.com.

The Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i, Hawai'i State Judiciary, and Bar Associations across the state proudly recognize the following firms and attorneys who volunteered their time at the Honolulu Access to Justice Room and Self-Help Centers across the state during the month of February 2026.

These volunteers provided critical legal information and support to self-represented litigants across the islands. We extend our deepest gratitude to the firms and attorneys listed below for helping to make justice more accessible for all.

Honolulu Access to Justice Room

Goodsill

Schlack Ito

Dale Zane

Deborah DiCristofaro

Derek Kobayashi

Douglas Codiga

Erin Dung

Gilbert Doles

Jay Nakasone

Jay Narimatsu

Jennifer Chin

Jeremy O'Steen

John Mackey

Kaiwi Ching

Kamrie Koi

Kenory Khuy

Lloyd Lim

Mark Ito

Mike Goodman

Regan Iwao

Sara Hayden

Sara Smith

Scott George Morita

Kaua'i Self-Help Center

Emiko Meyers

Laura Barzilai

Sean Hartlieb

Maui Self-Help Center

Brianne Wong Leong

Kau'i Yamane

Magdalena Bajon

Sam Shnider

Kona Self-Help Center

Aaron Masser

Georgette Yaindl

Judy Howard

Lezlie Kiaha

Rachel Thompson

Scott Shishido

Suzette J. Hill

Victor M. Cox

Hilo Self-Help Center

Alan Komagome

Georgia Berrenberg

Jennifer Zelko

Jessica Uchida

Karly Aoki

Lea Cooper

Mirtha Oliveros

Scott Shishido

Sheena Crail

Mahalo for your service and dedication. To join our growing pro bono network and support access to justice in your community, please contact Tiane Inciong at tiane.inciong@legalaidhawaii.org.

Legal Aid offers complimentary, online, on-demand training sessions for pro bono attorneys, covering divorce, custody, and paternity law. These sessions provide a thorough introduction to divorce, custody, and paternity law and procedures, focusing on essential information that volunteers need to assist self-represented litigants at Self-Help Centers or to support pro bono cases. CLE credit is available for participants.

To learn more about accessing these training sessions and pro bono opportunities, please reach out to Tiane Inciong at tiane.inciong@legalaidhawaii.org.

The Honolulu Access to Justice now offers both remote, and in-person services at the courthouse, and we need your help!

By volunteering, you play a crucial role in bridging the justice gap for self-represented litigants facing legal challenges in landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, debt collection, and other district court matters.

Volunteer Opportunities:

In-Person Shifts: First Wednesday of the month at Honolulu District Court (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM) (11:00 AM- 1:00 PM)

Remote Shifts: All other Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM) (11:00 AM- 1:00 PM)

Why Volunteer?

• Flexible 2-hour shifts available
• Comprehensive online training provided (CLE Available)
• Ongoing support to ensure you feel confident and prepared.
• Choose between remote or in-person options to fit your schedule.
• Meaningful pro bono work!

Whether you’re a returning volunteer or new to the program, your participation is vital to ensuring access to justice for our community.

Interested? Have Questions?

Visit their website.

Contact: Tiane Inciong at tiane.inciong@legalaidhawaii.org for more details.

Hawai‘i Online Pro Bono (HOP) has become a primary, alternative way for people to request assistance with their legal issues. Attorneys can work from home to answer questions. HOP asks for your assistance answering 1 or 2 (or more!) questions on its website. Individuals have questions posted including but not limited to family law, estate planning, landlord-tenant, small claims, and bankruptcy. A few minutes of your time can make a world of difference to Hawai‘i residents in need.

In response to the Maui Fires, a new topic was added to answer basic Maui Disaster Relief questions, in the areas of Private Landlord/ Tenant, Family Law, Collections/Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, and Estate Planning.

A new branch of the existing Hawai‘i Online Pro Bono is specifically for federal legal matters including immigration and veterans issues has launched here.

Please reach out to HOP if you have any questions on how to set up a volunteer attorney account at hopadmin@vlsh.org. Mahalo.

For more information about volunteering see link, Get Involved – Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaiʻi

Or call the Intake Line:

(808) 528-7046

Monday - Friday

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Fax: (808) 524-2147

If you have questions or need help, don't hesitate to contact our support team!

 

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Hawaii State Bar Association, 1100 Alakea Street, Suite 1000 , Honolulu, HI 96813

 

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