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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.

2021

• Ronald Moon, former Chief Justice of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court: Herbert Harley Award
• Colin Miwa, Cades Schutte LLP: Special Merit Citation

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.

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

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

2019.  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.  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

2021 Awards Luncheon
Budget and Finance
Civil Justice
Communications
Editorial Policy
Criminal Justice
Judicial Administration
Judicial Diversity
Judicial Selection, Retention and Accountability
Law School Affiliation(s)
Membership
Programs Committee
SideBar Program
Convention Steering Committee
Conference Programs Committee
Conference Cultural Program Committee

2021 Awards Luncheon

• Co-chairs:
• Calvert Chipchase
• Walter Kirimitsu
• Gerald Sekiya

• Members:
• Michael Broderick
• Susan DeGuzman
• Mallory Martin
• Victoria Marks

Budget and Finance

• Co-chairs:
• BJ Kobayashi
• (Co-chair to be appointed)

Civil Justice (including Family Court, ADR)

• Co-chairs:
• Jeanette Castagnetti
• Rai Saint Chu

• Members:
• Lisa Bail
• Meredith Burns
• Richard Clifton
• Jeffrey Crabtree
• Naʻunanikinaʻu Kamaliʻi
• James Kawachika
• Victoria Marks
• Natasha Shaw
• Jesse Souki

Communications

• Co-chairs:
• Nathan Hokama
• Brian Kang

• Members:
• Colleen Hirai
• Neal Kanda
• Arkie Koehl
• Anton Krucky
• Colin Miwa
• Carol Muranaka
• Dean Ochiai
• Barbara Tanabe

• AJS Bulletin Editor:
• Carol Muranaka

• AJS Bulletin Staff:
• Avery Matro
• Daniel Padilla
• Rebecca Neff

Editorial Policy (subcommittee of Communications Committee)

• Chair:
• Barbara Tanabe

• Members:
• James Ashford
• Carol Muranaka

• Ex-Officio Members:
• David Richert (IL)
• Russell Carparelli (CO)

Criminal Justice

• Co-chairs:
• Shirley Kawamura Shimizu
• John Tonaki

• Members:
• Steven Alm
• Mateo Caballero
• Arkie Koehl
• Nanci Kriedman
• Landon Murata
• Craig Nakamura
• James Tabe

• Staff:
• Avery Matro

Judicial Administration

• Co-chairs:
• Lisa Ginoza
• Ted Pettit

• Members:
• Troy Andrade
• Hilary Gangnes
• David Louie
• Rodney Maile
• Kenneth Mansfield
• Patricia Mau-Shimizu
• Randy Perreira
• Steven Uejio

• Staff:
• Alicia Fung

Judicial Diversity

• Co-chairs:
• Simeon Acoba
• Aviam Soifer

• Members:
• Togtokhbayar Ganzorig
• Daylin-Rose Heather
• Clarissa Malinao
• Sabrina McKenna
• Jill Otake
• Daniel Padilla

• Ex-Officio Members:
• Henry Frye (NC)
• George Madison (NY)

Judicial Education

• Vice-chair:
• Lisa Woods Munger

• Members:
• Troy Andrade
• Lynda Asato
• Daylin-Rose Heather
• Brandon Kimura
• M. Margaret McKeown
• Kaʻiulani Sodaro
• Caycie Gusman Wong

Judicial Selection, Retention and Accountability

• Co-chairs:
• Timothy Johns
• Colin Miwa

• Members:
• Jan Boivin
• Jeannette Castagnetti
• Jocelyn Chong
• Clare Connors
• Virginia Crandall
• Darolyn Lendio Heim
• Mallory Martin
• Lionel Tokioka

• Ex-Officio Members:
• Robert Kaufman (NY)
• Paul Titus (PA)

• Special Advisor on Judicial Conduct and Ethics:
• Gerald Sekiya

Law School Affiliation(s)

• Co-chairs:
• Jan Boivin
• (co-chair to be added)

• Members:
• Larry Foster
• (additional members to be added)

• Ex-Officio Members:
• James Alfini (TX)
• Seth Andersen (IA)

Membership

• Co-chairs:
• Virginia Crandall
• Jodi Yi

• Members:
• Jeannette Castagnetti
• Colleen Hirai
• Brian Kang
• Landon Murata
• Daniel Padilla
• Barbara Richardson
• Kristine Yoo

Programs Committee

• Chair:
• Sylvia Yuen

• Members:
• Mark Bennett
• Victoria Marks
• Rhonda Nishimura
• Robert Toyofuku

• Ex-Officio:
• Judith Chirlin (CA)
• Cara Lee Neville (MN)

SideBar Program

• Co-chairs:
• Calvert Chipchase
• Colin Miwa
• Paula Nakayama
• Carrie Okinaga

• Members:
• Dean Ochiai
• (additional members to be added)

Convention Steering Committee

• Chair:
• Lawrence Okinaga

• Vice-chairs:
• Ivan Lui-Kwan
• Colin Miwa
• Sylvia Yuen

• Members:
• William Harstad
• Colleen Hirai
• Timothy Johns
• Brandon Kimura
• Russell Lau
• Barbara Tanabe
• Randy Tanaka
• John Tonaki

• Staff:
• Susan Asato
• Avery Matro
• Rebecca Neff
• Daniel Padilla
• Ian Wesley-Smith

Conference Programs Committee

• Chair:
• Colin Miwa

• Members:
• Jodi Yi

• Ex-Officio:
• Chris Guthrie (TN)
• John Mikhail (DC)

• Staff:
• Daniel J. Padilla
• Ian R. Wesley-Smith

Conference Volunteers Committee

• Chair:
• John Tonaki

• Members:
• Daylin-Rose Heather
• Ian R. Wesley-Smith

Conference Cultural Program Committee

• Chair:
• Ivan Lui-Kwan

• Member:
• Naʻunanikinaʻu Kamaliʻi

Founding of the American Judicature Society

The following is from the Fred Parks Law Library at the South Texas College of Law Houston where the American Judicature Society’s documents from 1913 to 2014 are archived (https://stexl.stcl.edu/record=b513402).

The American Judicature Society was a national and international organization that counted, at its peak, over 50,000 lawyers, judges, and layman from all 50 states, Canada, and 43 other countries as members. Founded on July 15, 1913, to promote the efficient administration of justice, it was the original “fair courts” citizen organization. An outgrowth of Progressivism, it represented a response to demands for law reform that had been building for a number of years.  For 101 years, AJS worked nationally to protect the integrity of the American justice system through research, publications, education and advocacy for judicial selection reform. The Society’s work has led to modernized administrative structures, stronger judicial ethics codes, and merit-based systems of selecting judges in many states. It has served as a voice for the public’s interest in effective courts, promoting greater transparency in judicial proceedings, and enhancing access to justice for all.  Among its notable accomplishments are the development of the “Missouri Plan” for judicial selection, the creation of state judicial conduct commissions and judicial nominating committees and publication of its award-winning peer-reviewed journal, Judicature.  The AJS Board voted to dissolve the organization on September 26, 2014.

The American Judicature Society archives are housed at South Texas College of Law Houston and consist of approximately 70 linear feet of correspondence, historic material, organizational records, meeting materials, photographs and audio/visual media, publications, and press materials. There is also a large amount of digital material, in PDF/A format, thanks to Thomson Reuters. The digital material will be added here first, as efforts are made to digitize the print collection.

AJS Chronology, 1913 – 2014

Transition of the AJS to Hawai‘i

AJS Transition from National to Hawaii