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COURTS AND COVID-19 INFORMATION

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 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:

Contact Information

First Circuit (Oahu)

Bernadette Wong, Supervisor
Ashley Deguchi, Social Worker
Mary Cook, Clerk

Main line: 808-954-8280 
KidsFirstHawaii@gmail.com
Website: http://www.kidsfirsthawaii.com

Address

Kids First Program
Ronald T.Y. Moon Court Complex
4675 Kapolei Parkway
Kapolei, HI 96707

 

Third Circuit (Hawaii Island)

Wendy Terada, Program Services Branch Administrator

Main line: 808-322-8726
Direct line: 808-322-8602
Fax: 808-322-864

Address

Children in Transition (Hilo)
Transition
Keahuolu Courthouse
74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

 

Second Circuit (Maui County)

Meridith Russell, JCFS Administrator
Main line: 808-244-2782 

Address

Kids First Program
Hoapili Hale
2145 Main Street #226
Wailuku, HI 96793

Fifth Circuit (Kauai)

Main line: 808-482-2570 
Fax: 808-482-2631

Address

Special Services Division
Puuhonua Kaulike
Fifth Circuit Court
3970 Kaana Street, Suite 301
Lihue, HI 9676

 

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
801 South King St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
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.