The Hawai‘i Access to Justice Conference is an annual event dedicated to enhancing access to civil legal services for low- and moderate-income residents of Hawai‘i. Organized by the Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission, the conference brings together legal professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss strategies for improving legal access and addressing challenges faced by underserved populations.
The 2026 conference, held on June 19, 2026, at the William S. Richardson School of Law in Honolulu, featured a keynote address by Dean Erwin Chemerinsky of the University of California, Berkeley Law School. The event also included opening remarks from Hawai‘i Supreme Court Chief Justice Vladimir Devens and Commission Chair Joseph Cardoza, former Chief Judge of the Second Circuit, Hawai‘i State Judiciary. Attendees participated in various workshops covering topics such as public interest law, tenant rights, immigration issues, expungement, and access to justice for individuals with developmental disabilities.
The conference provided opportunities for networking among legal professionals, community organizations, and policymakers. Attendees engaged in discussions aimed at fostering collaboration and developing solutions to improve access to justice in Hawai‘i. The event also offered Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits for Hawai‘i-licensed attorneys, including one ethics credit hour, fulfilling the annual CLE requirement.
Legal professionals, community advocates, and individuals interested in promoting equal access to justice in Hawai‘i were encouraged to attend. The conference served as a platform for sharing knowledge, discussing challenges, and developing actionable strategies to enhance legal services for underserved communities.
Speakers(42)
Andrew Park
Judge at Hawai‘i State Judiciary
Judge Andrew Park serves in the Hawai‘i State Judiciary, involved in various legal proceedings.
Angela Lovitt
Facilitator at N/A
Angela Lovitt facilitated the workshop 'The State of Public Interest Law: Voices from the Field' at the conference.
Ashley Kaono
Panelist at N/A
Ashley Kaono participated as a panelist in the workshop 'The State of Public Interest Law: Voices from the Field' at the conference.
Aviam Soifer
Former Dean at William S. Richardson School of Law
Aviam Soifer is the former Dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law, known for his contributions to legal education.
Camille Nelson
Dean at William S. Richardson School of Law
Camille Nelson is the Dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law, recognized for her leadership in legal education.
Carol Lockwood
Panelist at N/A
Carol Lockwood participated as a panelist in the workshop 'Increasing Access to Justice for All Ohana in Hawai'i' at the conference.
Catherine Fisk
Panelist at N/A
Catherine Fisk participated as a panelist in the plenary session 'Justice for All Means All' at the conference.
Che Silvert
Panelist at N/A
Che Silvert participated as a panelist in the workshop 'Overcoming Barriers to Access to Justice for People with Developmental Disabilities' at the conference.
Christine Daleiden
Panelist at N/A
Christine Daleiden participated as a panelist in the workshop 'Debt Collection and Access to Justice' at the conference.
Corey Park
Facilitator at N/A
Corey Park facilitated the workshop 'The Continuing Immigration Crisis' at the conference.
Dawn Nekoba
Panelist at N/A
Dawn Nekoba was a panelist in the workshop 'Expungement and Compassionate Release' at the conference.
Eduardo Capulong
Moderator at N/A
Eduardo Capulong moderated the plenary session 'Justice for All Means All' at the conference.
Erwin Chemerinsky
Dean at University of California Berkeley Law School
Erwin Chemerinsky is the Dean of Berkeley Law and a distinguished professor of law, renowned for his expertise in constitutional law.
Ethan Rabinowitz
Facilitator at N/A
Ethan Rabinowitz facilitated the workshop 'Appellate Pro Bono Program' at the conference.
Grant Teichman
Panelist at N/A
Grant Teichman participated as a panelist in the workshop 'Appellate Pro Bono Program' at the conference.
Heather Lusk
Facilitator at N/A
Heather Lusk facilitated the workshop 'Overcoming Barriers to Access to Justice for People with Developmental Disabilities' at the conference.
Henderson Huihui
Panelist at N/A
Henderson Huihui was a panelist in the workshop 'The State of Public Interest Law: Voices from the Field' at the conference.
James Pietsch
Panelist at N/A
James Pietsch participated as a panelist in the workshop 'Key Aspects of Health Care Decision-Making in Hawai’i: Informed Consent, Capacity, and New Directions for Hawai’i' at the conference.
Jamie DeMello
Panelist at N/A
Jamie DeMello was a panelist in the workshop 'The State of Public Interest Law: Voices from the Field' at the conference.
Jessi Hall
Facilitator at N/A
Jessi Hall facilitated the workshop 'Increasing Access to Justice for All Ohana in Hawai'i' at the conference.
Jill Hasegawa
Judge at Hawai‘i State Judiciary
Judge Jill Hasegawa is a member of the Hawai‘i State Judiciary, involved in various legal proceedings.
Joseph Cardoza
Chair at Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission
Joseph Cardoza is the Chair of the Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission and a former Chief Judge of the Second Circuit, Hawai‘i State Judiciary.
Joshua Ching
Panelist at N/A
Joshua Ching participated as a panelist in the workshop 'Expungement and Compassionate Release' at the conference.
Kathryn Mayer
Panelist at N/A
Kathryn Mayer participated as a panelist in the workshop 'Overcoming Barriers to Access to Justice for People with Developmental Disabilities' at the conference.
Kirsha Durante
Panelist at N/A
Kirsha Durante participated as a panelist in the workshop 'Expungement and Compassionate Release' at the conference.
Kirstin M. Hamman
Judge at Hawai‘i State Judiciary
Judge Kirstin M. Hamman serves in the Hawai‘i State Judiciary, contributing to the state's legal decisions.
Konrad Ng
Panelist at N/A
Konrad Ng was a panelist in the workshop 'I Can’t Pay My Rent, Now What?' at the conference.
Louis Erteschik
Panelist at N/A
Louis Erteschik was a panelist in the workshop 'Overcoming Barriers to Access to Justice for People with Developmental Disabilities' at the conference.
Makalika Naholowaa
Facilitator at N/A
Makalika Naholowaa facilitated the workshop 'Expungement and Compassionate Release' at the conference.
Marvin Acklin
Panelist at N/A
Marvin Acklin was a panelist in the workshop 'Key Aspects of Health Care Decision-Making in Hawai’i: Informed Consent, Capacity, and New Directions for Hawai’i' at the conference.
Michael Soong
Judge at Hawai‘i State Judiciary
Judge Michael Soong serves in the Hawai‘i State Judiciary, contributing to the state's legal decisions.
Nanor Wong
Panelist at N/A
Nanor Wong participated as a panelist in the workshop 'The State of Public Interest Law: Voices from the Field' at the conference.
Neribel Chardon
Panelist at N/A
Neribel Chardon was a panelist in the workshop 'The Continuing Immigration Crisis' at the conference.
Pilar P. Kam
Panelist at N/A
Pilar P. Kam participated as a panelist in the workshop 'The Continuing Immigration Crisis' at the conference.
Richard M. Crum
Panelist at N/A
Richard M. Crum participated as a panelist in the workshop 'I Can’t Pay My Rent, Now What?' at the conference.
Robert LeClair
Co-emcee at N/A
Robert LeClair co-emceed the 2026 Hawai‘i Access to Justice Conference, contributing to the event's success.
Sabrina McKenna
Associate Justice at Hawai‘i Supreme Court
Sabrina McKenna serves as an Associate Justice on the Hawai‘i Supreme Court, contributing to the state's judicial decisions.
Sharla Manley
Panelist at N/A
Sharla Manley participated as a panelist in the workshop 'Appellate Pro Bono Program' at the conference.
Shellie Park-Hoapili
Judge at Hawai‘i State Judiciary
Judge Shellie Park-Hoapili is a member of the Hawai‘i State Judiciary, serving in the Second Circuit.
Tracey Wiltgen
Facilitator at N/A
Tracey Wiltgen facilitated the workshop 'I Can’t Pay My Rent, Now What?' at the conference.
Veronica Mendoza
Panelist at N/A
Veronica Mendoza participated as a panelist in the workshop 'The Continuing Immigration Crisis' at the conference.
Vladimir Devens
Chief Justice at Hawai‘i Supreme Court
Vladimir Devens serves as the Chief Justice of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court, overseeing the state's highest judicial authority.
Event Details
- Date
- June 19, 2026
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Honolulu, United States
- William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Legal professionals, community advocates, policymakers, individuals interested in promoting equal access to justice in Hawai‘i
- CLE Credits
- 5 CLE hours including 1.0 ethics
- Attendees
- Over 260