Access to Justice Room Volunteers Recognized for Service to the Community
Posted on Jan 13, 2026 in Featured News, News & ReportsThe Hawaiʻi State Judiciary recently recognized the volunteer attorneys who power the Access to Justice Rooms (AJR) in Honolulu and Kapolei, honoring their critical role in helping self-represented litigants navigate the court system. Volunteers at the Kapolei Access to Justice Room (KAJR) were recognized on December 29, 2025, during a meeting with Acting Chief Justice Sabrina McKenna and Senior Family Court Judge Dyan Medeiros in the Supreme Court conference room. Honolulu AJR volunteers were honored at a similar event on January 9, 2026, with Acting Chief Justice McKenna and Deputy Chief Judge Melanie May. Each volunteer received a certificate of appreciation from the Judiciary in gratitude for their service.
Coordinated at the Honolulu District Court at Kauikeaouli Hale and the Ronald T.Y. Moon Judiciary Complex in Kapolei, the Access to Justice Rooms provide free, limited legal advice to individuals who appear in court without an attorney. Volunteer lawyers offer short-term guidance on civil matters such as family law issues, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, debt collection, and temporary restraining orders. Services are available by appointment and are offered in person, by phone, or remotely, depending on location.
Volunteer attorneys and others vital to the success of the Honolulu Access to Justice Room were recognized on January 9, 2026 at the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. Front row (left to right): Deputy Chief Judge Melanie May, Acting Chief Justice Sabrina McKenna. Second row (left to right): Noriko O’Shea, Alex Tang, Tiane Inciong, Elena Kau’i Yamane, Jennifer Chin. Third row (left to right): Angela Lovitt, Gilbert Doles, James Rooney, Rebecca Gardner. Fourth row (left to right): Michael Goodman, Kukui Claydon, Sergio Alcubilla. Fifth row (left to right): Lloyd Lim, Rex Fujichaku, Derek Kobayashi.
In 2025, volunteers at the Honolulu Access to Justice Room (HAJR) provided 997 free legal consultations, including 92 in-person sessions. In-person services resumed in April 2025 after being suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since opening in September 2012, the HAJR has provided 11,077 consultations to the public.
Volunteer attorneys and key contributors to the Kapolei Access to Justice Room were recognized on December 29, 2025, at the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. Front Row (left to right): Joely Alt, Marlene Cuenco, Jenny Silbiger, Lynnae Lee, Dyan Mitsuyama, Sarah Jo Buehler, William “Bill” Darrah, Shannon Hackett, Carol Tribbey, Kevin Adaniya Back Row (left to right): Michael Davis, Ellen Politano, P. Greg Frey, Casey Hearl, Judge Dyan Medeiros, Chief Justice Sabrina McKenna, Alex Mitchell, Molly Turpin, Alan Okamoto
The KAJR provided 225 free consultations in 2025, including 31 in-person consultations, which take place at the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Law Library. Also established in September 2012, KJAR has now delivered a cumulative total of 3,315 free consultations, each lasting up to half an hour.
Together with the Judiciary’s Self-Help Centers, the Access to Justice Rooms have now provided more than 41,000 free legal consultations statewide, underscoring the impact of these programs on individuals who cannot afford legal representation.
“Justice is not just a principle. It’s a shared responsibility,” said Acting Chief Justice Sabrina McKenna. “The volunteers who serve in our Access to Justice Rooms embody that ideal by giving their time and expertise to help those who would otherwise stand alone in court. Their service strengthens our community and brings the promise of justice closer to reality.”
Volunteer attorneys remain the cornerstone of the program, strengthening fairness, public trust, and meaningful access to justice across Hawaiʻi.