Honolulu, Hawai`i – The Hawai`i Access to Justice Commission is sponsoring an essay contest for high school students entitled “How to Inspire Fellow Students to Volunteer.” The essay contest is part of the 2015 Pro Bono Celebration honoring outstanding volunteer attorneys and law firms or offices, which have been selected by the various legal services providers.

In addition, the Hawai`i Access to Justice Commission will acknowledge the dedicated attorney volunteers who provide short-term legal assistance to self-represented litigants at the Access to Justice Rooms (self-help centers) at the Honolulu District Court and at the Kapolei Family Courts.

The Pro Bono Celebration is supported by the Hawai`i State Bar Association and the Hawai`i State Bar Foundation.

The essay contest is open to students in grades 10 to 12. The deadline for submissions is September 24, 2015. Three essays will be selected from the neighbor islands, and three essays will be chosen from the island of Oahu. Each honored recipient will receive a $500.00 award for his/her essay.

The 2015 Pro Bono Celebration will be held at the Hawai`i Supreme Court Courtroom in Honolulu on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. Further information on the Pro Bono Celebration and essay contest rules may be obtained from the Commission’s website at http://www.hawaiijustice.org/hajc/access-to-justice-commission/2015-pro-bono-celebration.

The Hawai`i Access to Justice Commission was created in May 2008. The Commission’s primary purpose is to substantially increase access to justice in civil legal matters for low- and moderate-income residents of Hawai`i. Information about the Commission may be obtained at http://www.hawaiijustice.org/hawaii-access-to-justice-commission.

The Hawai`i State Bar Association is the unified bar association for all persons admitted to the practice of law in Hawai`i, and serves to unite and inspire Hawai`i lawyers to promote justice, serve the public, and improve the legal profession.

The Hawai`i State Bar Foundation is a nonprofit organization organized to promote justice through programs such as access to justice for persons in need of legal services, civics education, and other public service programs and projects, including programs and projects of the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association.

If you would like to schedule an interview with Honorable Daniel R. Foley, Chair, Hawai`i Access to Justice Commission, please email Jean.R.Kikumoto@courts.hawaii.gov, or telephone her at 539-4698.