Hilo Attorneys were recognized during the Self-Help Center Recognition Awards on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, for providing more than 1,000 free legal consultations to people who sought assistance in 2018. The recognition ceremony was part of the Hawai‘i County Bar Association’s annual meeting.
(L-R) Hilo attorneys Paul Hamano, Al Konishi, Peter Kubota, Michelle Oishi, Jill Raznov, Jennifer Wharton, and Jackie Mena (pictured with Hawai‘i Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald (center) and Third Circuit Chief Judge Greg K. Nakamura (second from right)) received special recognition from the Hawai‘i State Legislature for volunteering more than 10 times each at the Hilo Self-Help Center in 2018. These “super volunteers,” together with Melody Parker and Austin Hsu (not pictured), handled over 130 sessions providing legal assistance to the public. Courtesy photo.
The Hilo Self-Help Center was established in July 2012 as part of the Hawai‘i State Judiciary’s commitment to increasing access to justice in the courts. Since opening, more than 6,000 people have been assisted by volunteer attorneys providing legal information on civil matters, such as temporary restraining orders and divorce.
To date, this center has served more people than any other courthouse self-help center in the state. These services have been provided at almost no cost to taxpayers.
“Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission, which has championed many significant initiatives, including our courthouse self-help centers,” said Hawai‘i Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald. “The centers are a great example of what can be accomplished when we work together. I thank the Hawai‘i County Bar Association, Hawai‘i State Bar Association, the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i, and all the volunteer attorneys for making this resource available to the community.”
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Volunteers were recognized for their service by Chief Justice Recktenwald, Third Circuit Chief Judge Greg Nakamura, Chief Court Administrator Lester Oshiro, and Deputy Chief Court Administrators Cheryl Salmo and Dawn West.
The 41 attorneys who were honored are: Francis Alcain, Lincoln Ashida, Christopher Bridges, Jeremy Butterfield, Kenneth Goodenow, Jo Ann Goya, Belinda Hall, Doug Halsted, Paul Hamano, Ray Hasegawa, Gerry Hasegawa, Charles Heaukulani, Bill Heflin, Mike Kagami, Nelson Kinoshita, Al Konishi, Peter Kubota, Kris Laguire, Demitri Lametti, Dwayne Lerma, Shaunda Liu, Craig Masuda, A. Jaqueline N. Mena, Jennifer Ng, Jeffrey Ng, Michelle Oishi, Melody Parker, Danny Patel, Jill Raznov, Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth, Christopher Rothfus, State Rep. Joy San Buenaventura, Christopher Schluter, Amy Self, Andrew Son, Steven Strauss, Al Thompson, Ivan Van Leer, Molly Ward, Jennifer Wharton, and Jennifer Zelko-Schluter.
Also acknowledged was AmeriCorps Advocate Christy Peace, who, through the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i, organizes the Self-Help Center at the Hilo Courthouse.
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In addition, the chief justice recognized Peace, Bill Heflin, the Hawai‘i County Bar Association, and the Senior Counsel Division for organizing three special Disaster Relief Clinics in 2018, where 23 attorneys volunteered to provide free legal assistance to over 170 people who were impacted by the volcanic eruptions.
“Hawai‘i island has seen a significant increase in the number of people seeking assistance at our courthouse self-help centers over the past four years, and our success in meeting this need hinges on the commitment of our volunteer attorneys who work to uphold our nation’s promise of justice for all,” said Sherilyn K. Tavares, president of the Hawai‘i County Bar Association. “We are most grateful to today’s honorees for assisting those who cannot afford a lawyer, and encourage more attorneys to join us in the ongoing effort to ensure everyone in our community can fully exercise the rights guaranteed to them by our system of justice.”
Attorneys who would like to become involved with the Hilo or Kona Self-Help Centers are invited to contact the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i about the next volunteer attorney training. Information is available online.
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Visit the Hawai‘i State Judiciary website for more information on the Self-Help Centers.
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