American Judicature Society

Advocating for a fair system of justice

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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.
  • In 2021, the program was held in conjunction with the National Conference as an in-person event at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
  • In 2022, the program returned to the Pacific Club in Hawaii and followed the customary annual meeting.

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

2025 — What Makes Hawaii Laws Unique: Civil and Criminal

  • Opening Remarks:
    • The Honorable Sabrina S. McKenna, Acting Chief Justice, Hawaii Supreme Court
  • Panelists:
    • Sabrina S. McKenna, Acting Chief Justice, also served as Justice Pro Tem for the Supreme Court of the Northern Mariana Islands and was a civil litigator, general counsel to a Japan-based group of companies, and William S. Richardson School of Law faculty member.
    • Lisa M. Ginoza, Associate Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court, served as Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals and as an ICA Associate Judge.
  • Moderator:
    • Aviam Soifer, Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law, has an extensive record of scholarly publications, presentations, and public service activities.

2024 – December 3. Oceania and the Rule of Law

  • Keynote Address:
    • The Honorable Mark E. Recktenwald, Chief Justice, Hawaii Supreme Court
  • Panelists:
    • J. Michael Seabright, U.S. District Judge for the District of Hawaii and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Marshall Islands
    • Daniel Foley, Former Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge, former Counsel to Micronesian governments, and part-time Palau Supreme Court Justice
  • Moderator:
    • Camille Nelson, Dean and Professor of Law at the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law

2023 – December 7. Public Service and Judging

  • Keynote Address:
    • The Honorable Mark E. Recktenwald, Chief Justice, Hawaii Supreme Court
  • Panelists:
    • Steven Alm, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, and former Circuit Judge and U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii
    • Simeon Acoba, Judicial Selection Commission and UH Board of Regents; former Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court and Circuit and District Court Judge
  • Moderator:
    • Barbara Tanabe, Principal, Hoakea Communications, LLC

2022 – December 8.  The 2022 Elections: Impact on the Judiciary and the Administration of Justice

  • Keynote Address:
    • The Honorable Mark E. Recktenwald, Chief Justice, Hawaii Supreme Court
  • Panelists:
    • Andy Winer, co-leader of S360’s DC office who has more than three decades of experience in federal ser­vice, campaigns, government relations, and the law.
    • Blake Oshiro, principal of Capitol Consultants, deputy Chief of Staff for former Governor Neil Abercrombie, a Hawaii legislator for ten years, and a practicing attorney.
  • Moderator:
    • Victoria Marks (ret.), Judge, Circuit Court of the First Circuit

2022 – July 6.  The Supreme Court 2021-2022 Term in Review (Virtual)

Tom Goldstein
  • Featured Speaker:
    • Tom Goldstein, Partner, Goldstein and Russell and co-founder and publisher of SCOTUSblog
  • Moderator:
    • Mark Bennett, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

2021 – November 22.  Judicial Independence in an Age of Political Polarization (held in conjunction with 2021 National Conference)

2020 – December 10.  Civil Liberties, Judicial Administration, and COVID-19 (Virtual)

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 – December 5.  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 – December 1.  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 – December 3.  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 – December 4.  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