After 40 years of dedicated service to the legal community and people of Hawaii, Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald today proclaimed Associate Justice Richard W. Pollack Day in the Courts of the State of Hawaii. The pronouncement comes in recognition of his retirement from the bench.

It stated, in part, “During his tenure on the Supreme Court, Justice Pollack was extraordinarily productive, authoring more than 150 opinions, all of which were meticulously researched and clearly written. He shaped the court’s jurisprudence in areas including public trust resources and the environment, criminal procedure, evidence, and public access to governmental proceedings. He was always respectful in his decisions, even when others held different points of view.”

The pandemic prevented a more sizable retirement celebration, but the guests who attended enjoyed the intimate event – masks and social distancing and all.

Justice Pollack intends to continue his duties on the Commission on Professionalism and as a law professor.