Family Court Volunteer Opportunities

Kids First - Children First - Children in Transition

Kids First is an education program for families going through divorce. It is designed to help parents understand the effects of separation and divorce on their children and to help parents and children cope with the changes in their families. Kids First needs caring and reliable people to facilitate children's groups. Volunteers provide the children and teens with the opportunity to express their feelings about the separation through participating in games, role playing, and doing mock trials in the courtroom. Facilitators must be good communicators, have experience working with children (ages 6 to 17) and be able to volunteer for two (2) hours during one evening each month. If you are interested in becoming a Kids First facilitator, please contact one of the Judiciary employees listed below.

O`ahu Wednesday nights Charlene Anaya Scheduling/Verification: (808) 954-8280 KidsFirstHawaii@gmail.com	Hawai`i Kona Third Wednesday of each month, excluding December (808) 327-3557 Hilo Hilo Family Court Odd months, second and fourth Tuesday. Even months, second Tuesday only. For both Kona and Hilo: Aolani Mills (808) 322-8726 or (808) 938-1478 Scheduling/Verification: (808) 961-7500 aolani.m.mills@courts.hawaii.gov
Maui Second Wednesday night Laurene M. Medeiros (808) 244-2782 Laurene.M.Medeiros@courts.hawaii.gov	Kaua`i Second Wednesday night Marilyn Hasegawa Scheluling/Verification: (808) 482-2374 Marilyn.P.Hasegawa@courts.hawaii.gov

Project Visitation

Project Visitation is a volunteer-based program that helps to maintain the relationship between siblings who are living in separate foster homes by bringing them together for monthly visitations. Social workers refer cases of separated foster siblings to the program. Volunteers usually give 6 to 8 hours a month to schedule visits, transport the siblings, and supervise the visits. For more information, visit the Project Visitation Website or contact:

Family Programs Hawai`i
680 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 200
Honolulu, HI 96813-5409
Phone: 808-521-9531

Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program

Formerly known as the Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem Program, the CASA  Program is comprised of trained volunteers who are appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in a child abuse or neglect case in and out of court. CASA volunteers must be at least 20 years old and able to spend between 4 and 25 hours a month - serve as fact-finders, advocates, and monitors for children in need. The Judiciary provides free training and staff support for all volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, please contact the persons listed below.

• O`ahu - Amphay Champathong (808) 954-8151
• Hawai`i  (Hilo) - Jamie Bell-Ka`aihue (808) 961-7672
• Hawai`i (Kona) -Wendy Opiopio (808) 443-2105

• Maui - Kari Wakakuwa (808) 244-2729
• Kaua`i - David Lam (808) 482-2378