WHAT:

Hawaii Supreme Court Convening on Big Island

WHO:

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald

Associate Justice Paula Nakayama

Associate Justice Simeon Acoba, Jr.

Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna

Associate Justice Richard Pollack

Joy A. San Buenaventura, Attorney for Petitioner

Andrew S. Iwashita, Attorney for Respondent

WHEN:

Tuesday, December 3, 2013. Doors open to the public at 9:00a.m.

WHERE:

UH Hilo Performing Arts Center

The Hawaii Supreme Court will hear oral argument on December 3rd, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center. In addition to students from UH Hilo, students from area schools such as Connections New Century Public Charter School, Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science, Hilo High School, Laupahoehoe High, Waiakea High School, Keaau High School and St. Joseph School have confirmed their attendance.

This is believed to be the first time that the Hawaii Supreme Court will convene to hear a case on the Big Island. This is part of the Judiciary’s Courts in the Community outreach program, which aims to educate students and the general public about the Judiciary’s role in government and its function in resolving disputes in a democratic society.

The court will hear Collins v. Wassel, a divorce case which raises property division issues. A brief case description and summary of the issues on appeal may be viewed on the Judiciary’s website.

To prepare for the oral argument, the participating juniors and seniors from each school are studying a curriculum developed by the Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center and the Students for Public Outreach and Civic Education of the University of Hawaii’s William S. Richardson School of Law. The students’ study will culminate in a moot court activity facilitated by members of the Hawaii County Bar Association. Support for bringing the students to and from UH Hilo and providing their lunches has been provided by the Hawaii State Bar Association.

The oral argument is open to the public and the media. Photographing and filming the faces of the students in the audience will not be allowed. A few students will be available for on-camera interviews outside the theater after the argument.

Media desiring to film or photograph the argument should ensure that an extended coverage application has been filed with the Chief Clerk’s Office. Only one media outlet need apply. The requirement that media pool coverage from one video camera or one still camera will be waived for this case.

The oral argument will be followed by two separate question-and-answer sessions for the students; one with the attorneys and another with the five justices. The question-and-answer sessions will not be open to the media or the public.