Hear From the HSBA President

I must begin by saying that on behalf of the HSBA, our thoughts and intentions go to the communities on Kauaʻi, Niʻihau, on the West Side of Oʻahu, and elsewhere in the State who were severely affected by Hurricane Lowell, and those who are still affected by Hurricane Lala, and the two Kona Lows that occurred earlier this year. In collaboration with our partners at the Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi (volunteer link at their website), the HSBA stands ready to help. Damage assessments are still ongoing and clean-up is progressing. We anticipate an increase in calls to the YLD’s Legal Lines program that takes calls for legal assistance between 6 and 7 p.m. on Wednesdays (volunteer link on the HSBA website). Legal needs are being assessed, and we will be reaching out as the situation progresses.

This brings into focus HSBA’s continuing efforts to strengthen the HSBA’s Disaster Preparedness Programming. We have completed our three CLE’s: Part 1 – Disaster Legal Response Overview and 101; Part 2 – Navigating the FEMA Process and Vital Document Replacement; and Part 3 – Disaster Landlord/Tenant Issues. Each of these are available on-demand for your information and CLE Credits. In the coming months HSBA will be working towards putting together cohorts of volunteers who can provide legal guidance and assistance in specific areas of need, who can be deployed quickly when needed.

Turning to other things, Labor Day has passed, and it feels like it does every year – a sprint to the end of the year. There are many HSBA events this month, including the bi-annual Bench Bar Forums put together by the Judicial Administration Committee (JAC) and its subcommittees. This past Friday, many participated in the Civil Law Forum and heard a legislative update, as well as presentations on AI and other topics. This week Friday, the JAC holds the Family Law Forum, and the Criminal Law Forum occurs on the Friday after that. Already on HSBA’s website are signups for HSBA’s Annual Bar Convention which will be held on Monday October 12th through Friday October 16th. Go to the HSBA Website and click on the Events Tab.

The HSBA Board is actively looking for both an interim and permanent Executive Director. It is not too early to mention that the HSBA’s Annual Membership Meeting will be on Friday, December 4, 2026. The HSBA Bylaws Committee has updated the HSBA’s governing documents, and we are hoping that the revised documents can be presented to the HSBA membership for a vote at this meeting.

In closing, the number of weather related events Hawaiʻi has experienced this year should lead each of us to pause and reflect. The fact that we live on Islands, the fact that we are comfortable leaning on each other – without expectation – makes one truely filled with gratitude. Lucky we live Hawaiʻi. Time is short. Do not waste it.