HONOLULU – The Hawai`i State Judiciary will host a variety of activities for Law Day, the annual celebration of the role of law, the legal process, and the courts in our democratic society.

The theme of Law Day 2015 is, “Magna Carta: Symbol of Freedom Under Law,” commemorating the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, the document that inspired many of the basic rights Americans hold dear today, including habeas corpus, due process, trial by jury, and the right to travel.

Across the islands, the Judiciary will sponsor special events and activities throughout the first week of May.

FIRST CIRCUIT (O`ahu)

The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center will host a special Magna Carta Celebration on Thursday, May 07, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Ali`iolani Hale, 417 South King Street, Honolulu, 96813.

Peter H. Hoffenberg, Associate Professor of History at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa, will discuss the historical foundations of the Magna Carta, and the history of the document.

Gregory Jackson, international advisor on human rights, the military, and security sector reform, and former Director for the State of Hawai`i Office of Veterans Services, will discuss the contemporary relevance of the Magna Carta, including its influence upon human rights, rule of law, and concepts of fair trial and due process in the international post-conflict context.

The event is free and open to the public. Seating reservations may be made at:

As part of the Judiciary’s Access to Justice Initiative, the Supreme Court Law Library will have a Self-Help educational display of legal resources for navigating the court system. Resources include hand-outs on different aspects of law, information on interactive civil court forms, and accessing government information. Free brochures on the topics of divorce, landlord-tenant, immigration, housing, and public benefits, provided by the Legal Aid Society will also be available. The Self-Help display will be set up in the Supreme Court Law Library at Ali`iolani Hale, 417 South King Street, Honolulu, 96813. Library hours are Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Pictured left to right: Mark Skrimstad, Technical Services Librarian; Jenny R.F.F. Silbiger, State Law Librarian; and Chelsea DeMott, Library Technician, Technical Services Section; set up an Access to Justice display that will be used to educate the public about services available to self-represented litigants.

 

SECOND CIRCUIT (Maui)

The Second Circuit Court invites students throughout the circuit (Maui, Moloka`i, Lana`i) to visit their local court facilities during the month of May. Schools or individual students wishing to arrange a student tour of their local courthouse should contact the court at: 244-2860. Judges will also be visiting schools to discuss the law and the role of the courts in our society.

THIRD CIRCUIT (Big Island)

Courtroom observations by student classes have been arranged by some judges depending on their courtroom schedules.

FIFTH CIRCUIT (Kaua`i)

Legal Aid will be providing a special 90-minute presentation on Friday, May 01, 2015 at the Kaua`i Judicial Complex (Pu`uhonoa Kaulike Building, 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue, 96766) First Floor, Multi-Purpose Room. From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. a panel will be held on Landlord Tenant Issues, and from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon a panel will be held on Family Court Restraining Orders. Both sessions will discuss the filing process, preparing for a hearing, and enforcement issues. This event is free and open to the public.

Tours of the Kaua`i Judicial Complex will be available for schools and interested members of the public. Tour arrangements may be made by calling Florita Querubin at 482-2347.

Finally, a number of educational displays will be posted at the Kaua`i Judicial Complex. The Adult Client Probation Service will have a display on the HOPE Probation Program; the Juvenile Client & Service Branch will have a display on Girls Court and the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program; and the Kaua`i Drug Court will have a program display highlighting community service projects, program graduations, and before and after pictures of the graduates.

What is Law Day?

Law Day, May 1, is a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law. Law Day underscores how law and the legal process contribute to the freedoms all Americans share. Law Day recognizes the role of courts in this democracy and the importance of jury service in maintaining the integrity of the courts.