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Every day in our islands, news stories show our lives could be much different if more Hawaii residents knew how to effectively engage in government processes. The Commission to Promote and Advance Civic Education (PACE), led by AJS member and Intermediate Court of Appeals Chief Judge Lisa M. Ginoza, who serves as its chair, is filling this vital need in our community.

“As with many other states across the nation, there is growing recognition of the need for better civics knowledge and participation here in Hawaii, especially for the next generation,” said Sylva Yuen, executive director of the American Judicature Society. “The PACE Commission is doing an outstanding job of helping our youth understand how government works. Making civics education more accessible encourages active engagement in government processes. We all win when more citizens know how to make their voices count. This is what democracy is all about.”

In a Judiciary news release issued when Gov. David Ige proclaimed October 2022 as Civics Awareness Month, Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald emphasized that “Understanding of government institutions and the crucial role of citizen participation, is needed for a thriving democracy. Indeed, Hawaii is a special place and everyone can help to create the best future for our communities and state.”

Rep. Amy Perruso, PACE Commission vice chair, a former Mililani High School social studies teacher who served in the Hawaii Department of Education for nearly 20 years, knows firsthand the transformational power of civics education, noting in the same news release:

“Education is about so much more than workforce development. It is about preparing our students to exercise their political power responsibly and knowledgeably. We are not born citizens—we each need to be equipped with the tools we need to engage with our systems of governance so that we can build a better world together. Civic education empowers students to create the future that they deserve.”  

Retirement is not in Walter’s vocabulary. He proved that by recently adding “Master of Kamehameha Schools” to his list of responsibilities. In his new position, Walter will oversee the trust and its trustees under the direction of a probate judge. Bottom line, he’ll be evaluating all of the estate’s processes, which includes trustee selection. Kamehameha Schools was established by the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate and its mission is to educate children of Native Hawaiian descent, pre-school to grade twelve. A five-member Board of Trustees of the Estate of Bernice Pauahi Bishop administers the Schools.

Walter grew up in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood, so he’ll return to his hometown in this new position. After over 25 years in private practice handling cases related to personal injury, insurance, and international law and finance, Walter was appointed by then Governor Cayetano as an associate judge to the state’s Intermediate Court of Appeals where he served for five years. He was then called to service at the University of Hawaii as its first general counsel and VP for Legal Affairs. He then made history when he was appointed as  the first non-clergy President of Saint Louis School until he left the position in 2015 (can’t say ‘retire’ because he doesn’t know what that is). Walter also maintains a mediation and arbitration practice, but manages to play golf once a week as well.

Walter was President of the Hawaii Bar Association in 1990, is an Elected Fellow in the American Board of Trial Advocates and the American College of Trial Lawyers, and serves on numerous other community organizations.

Oh, and by the way, if you ever need a stand-in vocalist, Walter is your guy. He is an accomplished karaoke singer, and he’s also a captivating storyteller. Congratulations Walter!

The late former Chief Justice Ronald T. Y. Moon, who led the Hawai‘i Supreme Court for 17 years, was honored with a special session at the Supreme Court Courtroom on August 8, 2022.

Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald called the session to order and members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I paid tribute to Chief Justice Moon, who had been elevated to Knighthood of the Royal Order in 2011. Family, friends and dignitaries shared their fond memories of “CJ Moon,” while hundreds of others watched the live streamed event via the Judiciary’s YouTube channel.

In addition to Chief Justice Recktenwald, the speakers included Judge Michael F. Broderick (ret.); former Gov. John D. Waihee III; First Circuit District Court Judge Karin L. Holma, CJ Moon’s former law clerk; former Chair of the Hawaii Board of Bar Examiners Robert A. Chong; President of the Hawaii State Trial Judges Association Judge Summer M.M. Kupau-Odo; Vice President of the Hawaii State Bar Association Jesse K. Souki; Gov. David. Y. Ige; Dr. Scott D.M. Moon, son of CJ Moon.

The speakers praised CJ Moon for his unwavering commitment to justice for all, a principle that guided him on the bench and his deep, genuine aloha for people. As the leader of the third branch of government for more than 17 years, Chief Justice Moon focused on enhancing the administration of justice, increasing access to the courts, preserving the independence of the judiciary, and educating the public about their justice system. His dedication to these goals
continues to have a positive impact on the people of Hawai‘i.

CJ Moon served as trial judge for eight years before being elevated to the Hawai‘i Supreme Court on March 9, 1990 as an associate justice. On March 31, 1993, he was sworn-in as the 17th chief justice of Hawai‘i — the 4th chief justice since statehood — and the first Korean-American to become chief justice of any supreme court in the nation.  In 2003, CJ Moon was retained to serve a second term of office. He retired from the Judiciary on September 1, 2010 and passed away on July 4, 2022 at age 81.

Last year, the American Judicature Society honored this visionary leader with a Herbert Harley Award for his outstanding contributions to advance the administration of justice. For a video with interviews with former Gov. John Waihee, attorney Bert Kobayashi, and current Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, who reminisced about Chief Justice Moon and his contributions, click here.

An important priority of the American Judicature Society is to ensure that the next generation of judicial leaders value their responsibility for perpetuating a fair judicial system and are well prepared to address any related institutional challenges into the future.

Each summer for almost the past 30 years, AJS has set aside a day dedicated to supporting young, aspiring lawyers. The annual Sidebar Program is open to summer associates from law firms, judicial and government agency law clerks and other new lawyers for a day of education and networking with each other and veteran professionals.

“Our Sidebar Program typically features a moderated panel discussion of issues often faced in the early years of practice,” said Colin Miwa, senior counsel with Cades Schutte and an AJS board member, who serves as co-chair of the Sidebar Program along with the Hon. Paula A. Nakayama, Associate Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court. “We cover hypothetical issues such as the ethical and practical considerations when new attorneys are asked by their supervising partner to pursue claims apparently lacking evidentiary support and how new attorneys might handle disruptive or harassing opposing counsel during a witness deposition.”

There was record attendance at this year’s Sidebar Program. Nearly 60 young lawyers attended the 27th annual Sidebar Program at the Hawaii Supreme Court on July 14. This year’s panel discussion, moderated by AJS board member Calvert Chipchase, included: the Hon. Keith K. Hiraoka, Associate Judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals; State of Hawaii First Circuit Court Judges Jeannette H. Castagnetti, Lisa W. Cataldo, and Gary W. B. Chang; and Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii Wes Reber Porter.

As in previous years, the panel discussion was followed by small group discussions and a reception with the panelists. All of those who registered for the program received a complimentary one-year membership in AJS, a $50 value.

Mahalo to the AJS Sidebar Committee members for putting on an excellent program. In addition to Colin Miwa and the Hon. Paula A. Nakayama, the other committee members are the Hon. Jeannette H. Castagnetti, Hon. Gary W. B. Chang, Hon. Dean E. Ochiai, Calvert Chipchase, and Carrie Okinaga.

Congratulations to Sylvia Yuen for her appointment by Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald to the nine-member Hawaii Judicial Selection Commission. Her term started in April 2022 and continues through April 2028. Sylvia has been an active member of AJS for more than 13 years and currently serves as Executive Director of AJS.

The Judicial Selection Commission reviews and evaluates applications for all judicial vacancies, and vote, by secret ballot, to select qualified nominees. The Commission also determines whether a justice or judge shall be retained in office. The Commission publicizes the fact that a justice or judge is seeking retention so that all persons who might have an interest in the matter be informed of the opportunity to comment. Established by a 1978 state constitutional amendment, the Commission is governed by the Judicial Selection Commission Rules.

Sylvia has had a long and distinguished career at the University of Hawaii, which spans decades in both academics and administration. For almost 20 years, Sylvia focused her efforts on building and leading the University of Hawaii’s Center on the Family, which grew under her leadership from an idea to a vibrant unit of the University. Sylvia also served as the Interim Dean of UH-Mänoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, the first woman to direct the college since its founding in 1907. She also served as Executive Director of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii.

Sylvia served on the boards for numerous nonprofit organizations and on various advisory committees, including the Institute for Human Services, Hawaii Community Foundation, Aloha United Way, Honolulu Community Action Program, and the Federal Judicial Selection Commission.

M. Margaret McKeown, an ex-officio member of the AJS Board of Directors, was selected to receive the prestigious 2022 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Ninth Circuit. The award was presented to her in July 2022 at the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference in Montana.

McKeown has been a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit since 1998.

The American Inns of Court Professionalism Awards are bestowed in participating federal circuits to a lawyer or judge whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession and the rule of law. Candidates for these awards are nominated through circuit-wide open nominations and selected by a panel of representatives from both the circuit and the American Inns of Court.