WHAT: Hawaii Supreme Court Convening on Big Island

WHO: Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, Associate Justice Paula Nakayama, Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna,

  Associate Justice Richard Pollack, Substitute Associate Justice Karen Nakasone

WHEN: Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Doors open to the public at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Kealakehe High School Gymnasium, 74-5000 Puohulihuli Street, Kailua-Kona, 96740

The Hawaii Supreme Court will hear an oral argument on April 29th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Kealakehe High School Gymnasium. In addition to students from Kealakehe High School, students from area schools including Kua O Ka La New Century Charter, Kohala High School, Konawaena High School, Kau High School, Makua Lani Christian School and West Hawaii Explorations Academy will attend.

This is part of the Judiciary’s Courts in the Community outreach program, which educates students and informs the general public about the Judiciary’s role in government and its function in resolving disputes in a democratic society.

The court will hear Molfino v. Yuen . Peter Van Name Esser is the Attorney for the Petitioner and Laureen L. Martin and Michael J. Udovic are the Attorneys for the Respondent. 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 study 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 culminates with a moot court activity facilitated by members of the West Hawaii Bar Association. The West Hawaii Bar Association will provide transportation to and from Kealakehe High School and lunches for the students.

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.

Please RSVP to the Communications and Community Relations Office at (808) 539-4909.