Ku’ikahi Recognizes 2015 Volunteer of the Year Recipients

Kathy Hammes (left) and Evelyn Pacheco (right) received Volunteer of the Year certificates from Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center Executive Director Julie Mitchell . Ku’ikahi Mediation Center.

Ku’ikahi Mediation Center recently hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Party in which center volunteers were recognized.

Two mediators received Kuikahi’s 2015 Volunteer of the Year awards –  Kathy Hammes and Evelyn Pacheco – who completed their Basic Mediation Training in 1989 and 1994, respectively.

“Both women have been committed for over two decades to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in our community,” said Ku‘ikahi Executive Director Julie Mitchell. “We absolutely appreciate the exceptional dedication and service of these two women.”

Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald provided certificates of appreciation from the Supreme Court of the State of Hawai’i to all mediators at Ku’ikahi.

Forty-four mediators and apprentices gave a more than 1,369 hours of service in mediations at the center in 2015.

“Most people don’t know that our mediation services are provided entirely by professionally trained volunteer mediators,” said Mitchell.  “These are amazing folks from all walks of life and career backgrounds who donate their time to help community members resolve issues that matter to them.”

A four-day Basic Mediation Training, followed by an apprenticeship program, must be completed prior to being selected to become a Ku’ikahi mediator. Mediators also take continuing education to increase their skills and knowledge, with an emphasis on foreclosure, civil rights, and domestic mediations.

Ku‘ikahi offers mediations for a wide variety of situations, including divorce, child custody and visitation, neighbor-to-neighbor, consumer-merchant, real estate, landlord-tenant, workplace, business, and small and large group facilitations.

To learn more about Ku’ikahi Mediation, call 935-7844 or visit the Ku’ikahi website.