American Judicature Society

Advocating for a fair system of justice

search icon

Annual Program

The American Judicature Society presents an annual program to increase understanding and awareness of significant judicial issues.  Prior to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the program followed the annual meeting held at the Pacific Club in Hawai‘i.  In 2020, as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, the program was held virtually as a stand-alone event.

The following keynote speakers, panelists, and moderators expressed their views at past AJS annual programs:  

2020.  Civil Liberties, Judicial Administration, and COVID-19

Neal Katyal
  • Keynote Address: 
    • Neal Katyal, former Acting Solicitor General of the U.S.
  • Panelists:
    • Camille Nelson, Dean, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
    • Mark Recktenwald, Chief Justice, Hawai‘i Supreme Court
  • Moderator:
    • Mark Bennett, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

2019.  The Judicial Role in Government

Erwin Chemerinsky
  • Keynote Address: 
    • Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law

2018.  The “Trump Court” and Its Imprint on Hawaiʻi

  • Panelists:
    • Douglas S. Chin, Lt. Governor of Hawai‘i 
    • David M. Loui, former Attorney General of Hawai‘i 
  • Moderator: 
    • Robert Toyofuku, AJS Board member

2017.  Justice in the Age of Instagram

  • Panelists:
    • Barry M. Kurren, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai‘i
    • Dexter D. Del Rosario (ret.), Judge, Circuit Court of the First Circuit 
    • Elijah Yip, co-founder, Luminate Law
  • Moderator:
    • Robert Toyofuku, AJS Board member

2016.  Marijuana in Paradise

  • Keynote Address: 
    • Kellye Testy, Toni Rembe Dean and Professor of Law, University of Washington School of Law
  • Panelist:
    • Della Au Belatti, Chair, Health Committee, Hawai‘i House of Representatives 
  • Moderator:
    • Robert Toyofuku, AJS Board member

2015.  Judicial Vacancies—Who will fill them?  What qualifications are essential?

  • Panelists:
    • James E. Duffy (ret.), Associate Justice, Hawai‘i Supreme Court
    • Gary W. B. Chang, Judge, Circuit Court of the First Circuit
    • Faye M. Koyanagi (ret.), Judge, District Court of the First Circuit
    • David L. Fairbanks, former member, Judicial Selection Commission
  • Moderator:
    • Robert Toyofuku, AJS Board member

2014.  Deshrouding the Judicial Selection Process

  • Panelists:
    • Doris Ching, Chair, Judicial Selection Commission
    • Clayton Hee, Chair, Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee
    • Calvin Young, President, Hawai‘i State Bar Association
  • Moderator:
    • Victoria Marks (ret.), Judge, Circuit Court of the First Circuit