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The AJS periodically honors outstanding individuals with the awards below for their exemplary service or achievements at a public event:

• Justice Award, the highest award given by AJS, is presented in recognition of years of dedicated leadership in judicial administration and reform.
• Herbert Harley Award, named after the founder of the American Judicature Society, is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions that substantially improved the administration of justice in Hawai‘i.
• Lifetime Distinction Award is presented for investing one’s life in improving the judicial system in Hawai‘i and serving the Hawai‘i community with distinction throughout one’s life.
• Special Merit Citation recognizes projects and efforts that benefit some aspect of the judicial system, including those that are narrowly focused or time specific.
• Other awards recognize persons or organizations that have made significant contributions toward the improvement of the administration of justice and/or inspired others to do the same.

The following presents current and previous AJS honorees.

2025

• Awardee: Mark E. Recktenwald
• Program
• Photos
• Video

2021

• Awardees: Ronald Moon and Colin Miwa
• Program
• Photos

2013

• James S. Burns, former Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals: Lifetime Achievement Award
• Jon Van Dyke, Professor, University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law: Herbert Harley Award (posthumously honored)
• Simeon R. Acoba, Jr., Associate Justice of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court: national Ninth Annual Dwight D. Opperman Award for Judicial Excellence

2008

• William S. Richardson, former Chief Justice of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court: Herbert Harley Award
• James S. Burns, former Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals: Special Merit Citation
• Hawai‘i Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (Hope Probation): Special Merit Citation.
• Samuel P. King, former Senior Judge, U.S. District Court: Lifetime Distinction Award.

2003

• Lawrence Okinaga, Carlsmith Ball LLP: AJS Justice Award.

1991

• Geoge Chaplin, former Editor-in-Chief, Honolulu Advertiser: Herbert Harley Award

1988

• Herman Lum, former Chief Justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court: Herbert Harley Award

The Member Orientation is conducted by the AJS Membership Committee.  A small group discussion format is used whereby new members are provided the opportunity to interact with AJS committee representatives.  This allows attendees to learn about the work performed by the various committees, to ask questions, and to determine how they would like to be involved and participate in AJS.  The Zoom session includes break-out groups which allows the new members to learn more about each committee while maintaining a quick pace for a comprehensive orientation in a relatively short period of time.  The Member Orientation is conducted annually. 

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)

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)

2019 – December 5.  The Judicial Role in Government

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

Program >>

Photos >>

Click below image for complete committee listings.