The Third Circuit Court is expanding its volunteer attorney assistance program to Kona. A ceremony on Monday, September 23, 2013, at 11:45 a.m. at the Keakealani courthouse in Kealakekua will officially launch the service.

Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, Third Circuit Chief Judge Ronald Ibarra, Hawaii State Bar Association President Craig Wagnild, and West Hawaii Bar Association President Robert Borns are scheduled to participate.

Starting on October 2, one or two attorneys from the West Hawaii Bar Association will be available to help self-represented litigants on Wednesdays, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the law library in the Keakealani courthouse. The volunteer attorneys will provide legal information on District Court and Family Court civil matters including landlord tenant disputes, collection issues, temporary restraining orders, and divorce. There will be no charge for their services.

The program has been in place at Hale Kaulike, the courthouse in Hilo, since July 2012, and at state courthouses on Oahu, Maui and Kauai.

The program is a joint effort of the Hawaii State Judiciary, Hawaii State and Hawaii County Bar Associations, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and the Access to Justice Commission.