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Court Interpreter Applicants Wanted

Posted on Jan 7, 2014 in Press Releases

The state Judiciary is seeking individuals who speak English and another language to become court interpreters. Applications are now being accepted for the next state court interpreter orientation workshop to be held on each of the major islands in February and March. Completion of the two-day workshop is one of the mandatory requirements to become a court interpreter for the Hawaii State Judiciary.

The two-day orientation workshop will be held on:

  • Oahu 1: February 15 – 16, 2014 (Sat./Sun.)
  • Maui: February 20 – 21, 2014 (Thu./Fri.)
  • Kauai: February 27 – 28, 2014 (Thu./Fri.)
  • Kona: March 5 – 6, 2014 (Wed./Thu.)
  • Oahu 2: March 15 – 16, 2014 (Sat./Sun.)
  • Hilo: March 20 – 21, 2014 (Thu./Fri.)

Registration deadline is February 13. The early bird registration deadline is February 6, 2014. Registration forms are available on the Judiciary’s website and from the Office on Equality and Access to the Courts at 539-4860.

The workshop registration fee is $95. ($75 if registration is received by early bird registration deadline.) A grant from the Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation and Hawaii Friends of Justice and Civic Education is being used to lower the cost from the original $120 fee.

Certified sign language interpreters are also encouraged to apply.

In addition to successfully completing the orientation workshop, persons seeking to become a state court interpreter must pass a written English proficiency exam and court interpreter ethics exam and clear a criminal background check.

Court interpreters work on a freelance basis as independent contractors in cases when parties or witnesses are unable to hear, understand, speak or use English sufficiently. Depending on their performance on written and oral exams, court interpreters are paid between $25 to $55 per hour with a two-hour minimum.

For more information, contact the Communications and Community Relations Office at 808-539-4909 or via email at pao@courts.hawaii.gov.

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