WHAT: Hawaii Supreme Court Convening at Mililani High School

WHO: Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, Associate Justice Paula Nakayama, Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna, Associate Justice Richard Pollack, Associate Justice Michael Wilson, HSBA President Calvin Young (moderator), and State Representative Marcus Oshiro (moderator).

WHEN: Thursday, December 4, 2014. Doors open to the public at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Mililani High School Gymnasium, 95-1200 Meheula Parkway, Mililani, HI

As part of the Judiciary’s Courts in the Community outreach program, the Hawaii Supreme Court will hear an oral argument on December 4th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Mililani High School Gymnasium. The outreach program provides educational opportunities for students and also informs the general public about the Judiciary’s role in government and its function in resolving disputes in a democratic society. In addition to students from Mililani High School, students from area schools including Radford High School, Leilehua High School, Waialua High and Intermediate School, Assets School, Hanalani Schools, and Hoala School will be participating.

The court will hear Samson vs. Nahulu. Ronald Albu is the Attorney for the Petitioners and Jonathan L. Ortiz, Wade J. Katano, and Jacqueline E. Thurston 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 Hawaii State Bar Association. The Hawaii State Bar Association and Hawaii State Bar Foundation will provide transportation to and from Mililani 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 gymnasium following the oral 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.