A new self-help center for parties who do not have an attorney representing them in a civil case is open on the first floor of the state courthouse in Hilo.

Volunteer attorneys are staffing the center on Mondays and Fridays from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. They will provide legal information at no charge. The telephone number is 961-0609.

The project is the result of a joint effort of the Hawaii State Judiciary, the Hawaii State and Hawaii County Bar Associations, and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. The Judiciary also has centers on Kauai and Oahu.

Pictured at the center’s grand opening ceremony on Friday, June 29 are (from left): Chief Judge Ronald Ibarra, Attorney Jo Kim, Judge Greg Nakamura, Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, Hawaii County Bar Association President Darien Nagata and Hawaii State Bar Association President Carol Muranaka.

The new self-help center.