Governor Lingle nominates Katherine Leonard as Supreme Court Chief Justice
If confirmed by the State Senate, she would succeed Chief Justice Ronald Moon to become Hawai‘i’s fifth Chief Justice since statehood.   Judge Leonard would be the first graduate of the University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law to be appointed to the Supreme Court and the first woman in Hawai‘i’s history to be named Chief Justice. For additional details, click here.

Former Hawaii State Supreme Court Chief Justice Richardson dies
On June 21, AJS and the Hawai'i Judiciary lost a legal legend.  CJ Richardson was the recipient of an AJS Herbert Harley Award in 2009.  AJS Hawai'i State Chapter member and AJS Board of Director, Ivan Lui Kwan wrote the following tribute to this extraordinary man.

Budget cuts imperil justice in Hawaii
No one suggests that courts should be spared from sharing the burden of these tough economic times. However, Hawaii's Judiciary is still reeling from last year's budget cuts and the loss of 79 vacant staff positions, as well as the implementation of furloughs. Click here to read the article published in the Honolulu Star Bulletin on April 5, 2010.

Panel considers 6-person jury
The Hawaii Supreme Court has asked the Hawaii State Chapter of AJS to review the issue of reducing the size of juries in civil and non-serious criminal trials from twelve to six members. The Court is exploring the issue as a way to balance current budgetary and fiscal restraints with the needs of the public and the administration of justice.  Click here to read a Honolulu Advertiser article about the committee’s work.

Ivan Lui-Kwan Elected to AJS Board of Directors
Ivan Lui-Kwan "Of Counsel" attorney with Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher has been elected to the national Board of Directors of the American Judicature Society (AJS). The organization brings a public perspective to justice system issues, and has the mission to secure and promote an independent and qualified judiciary and a fair system of justice.  For more details, click here.