Pritchett photo 300 dpi square

John Pritchett

Cartoons

Government & Politics

Trojan panda

<title>Pritchett Cartoon: Trojan Panda</title>

And this time, we're not talking about the mayor!

Pritchett Cartoon: Trojan Panda

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

Another organization has sued Hawai‘i over Act 11, the law passed this year that limits corporate spending in political campaigns.

Act 11, which Gov. Josh Green signed into law in 

, limits “artificial-person powers” granted by the state to corporations; in particular, the law rescinded the power of corporations to spend money on political campaigns.

The law challenges the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court verdict in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, wherein the court found laws prohibiting corporate political spending violates corporations’ First Amendment. Proponents of Act 11 have argued that the law does not impede corporations’ 

The Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America disagrees. Last month, the national chamber 

 state Attorney General Anne Lopez and Nadine Ando, Director of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, over Act 11 in U.S. District Court.

In its complaint, the Chamber argues that the law “extinguishes the power to speak on certain topics and viewpoints, enforces that … prohibition with significant corporate penalties up to involuntary dissolution … in direct defiance of binding Supreme Court precedent.”

The Chamber claims that the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected the fundamental premise of Act 11 — that a corporation’s “powers” conferred by the state are distinct from their “rights” — in Citizens United. It adds that Act 11 applies to foreign entities that Hawai‘i has no authority over.

Furthermore, Act 11 is discriminatory, the Chamber argues, because it permits media corporations to publish content concerning political campaigns while simultaneously prohibiting other corporations from doing the same.

Because the U.S. Chamber of Commerce regularly participates in political speech — including repeated endorsements of Rep. Ed Case and a planned voter-education tour this year about “the virtues and benefits of free enterprise and the dangers of socialism” — the Chamber argues that it has been directly harmed by Act 11.

The Chamber’s complaint notes that its arguments are not original. In fact, it points out that Lopez 

 testified against the bill as it passed through the state Legislature, calling it “likely impossible to defend” and warning that passing the law would all but guarantee costly legal challenges.

, filed in June by Grassroot Institute of Hawai‘i, followed much the same arguments. Progress in that case has been slow; a hearing for a proposed preliminary injunction that would suspend Act 11 until the case is resolved, which was proposed in June, is scheduled for Oct. 13.

The Chamber has also moved for a similar preliminary injunction in its case, but no hearing has yet been scheduled on the matter.

AG Anne Lopez scaled 16x9

<title>National Chamber of Commerce sues Hawai‘i over corporate spending law</title>

A second lawsuit challenging Act 11 has struck the state.

National Chamber of Commerce sues Hawai‘i over corporate spending law

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Aloha Spirit

Hale Hōkūala Kaua‘i, Curio Collection by Hilton, a new 210-room lifestyle resort on Kaua‘i, has opened in Līhu‘e.

Marking Curio Collection by Hilton’s debut in Hawaiʻi, the property brings the brand’s focus on individually remarkable hotels and memorable stays to one of the world’s most sought-after island destinations," according to a recent announcement from the resort. "Overlooking Nāwiliwili Bay and neighboring Kalapakī Beach, Hale Hōkūala introduces travelers to the island through contemporary design, destination-driven dining, cultural programming and outdoor recreation."

Located within the Hōkūala Resort community, 

— its name means "House of the Rising Star" — offers up 23 suites, open-air spaces, private lānais, and views of the Pacific, Hā‘upu Mountain and the Ocean Course at Hōkūala, the announcement notes. 

"Curio Collection by Hilton is a collection of hotels that are defined by their individuality and connection to place. What makes Kauaʻi such a perfect fit is that this island has a character all its own," General Manager 

 told Aloha State Daily in an emailed response to questions. "While visitors are drawn by the incredible natural beauty, what truly makes Kauaʻi special is the people, the culture and the sense of community. The aloha here is genuine. It's something you feel in the way people welcome you, share their stories and care for this place.

"That's what sets Hale Hōkūala apart from a more typical hotel experience. It's not just about offering a place to stay. It's about creating opportunities for guests to connect more deeply with the island, its culture and the community that makes Kauaʻi so unique."

According to Itoga, construction on the resort began in the third quarter of 2024.

[{"type":"text","text":"Here's what else you'll find at the property:"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Amenities and other features"}]

Hale Hōkūala was designed by Hart Howerton and AHL, with interiors inspired by the Garden Isle landscape from Looney & Associates.

Guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and private lānais, the announcement notes, while the interiors draw colors and textures from around the island.

On the property, you'll find a pool and fitness center, with access to a full-service spa, wellness programming, tennis and pickleball courts available within the broader Hōkūala resort community, the announcement notes. Other outdoor offerings include preferred tee times at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Ocean Course at Hōkūala, more than five miles of trails, complimentary bicycles and beach amenities, as well as other open green spaces.

You can also check out The Farm at Hōkūala, showcasing canoe plants, native crops and other agricultural traditions.

The property offers more than 14,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space that can be used for the likes of meetings, weddings and other celebrations and group gatherings.

The resort's culinary program is led by Executive Chef Hans Lentz and Director of Food and Beverage 

Its signature restaurant, the Portuguese-Hawaiian concept Figueira, overlooks the 18th hole of the Ocean Course at 

Hōkūala and honors Portugal's influence on Hawai‘i's food culture, the announcement notes.  The name comes from the Portuguese word for "fig tree" and its menu includes pineapple French toast with Kuleana Rum caramel, Kaua‘i prawns, Portuguese fisherman's stew, bacalhau no forno, pastel de nata and malasadas.

Thirsty? You'l be able to grab Hawaiian-grown coffee, local craft beer, cocktails and a curated wine list with both Portuguese and global labels, the resort says.

Meanwhile, The Wiliwili at Hale Hōkūala is a causal poolside eatery that offers poke bowls, plate lunch specials, shave ice, pūpū, tropical cocktails, zero-proof choices, juices and smoothies made with local ingredients, the announcement notes.

Both concepts were developed by StiR Creative, Hilton's in-house food and beverage consultancy.

The resort's signature cultural immersion program, 

, which means "the awakening of connection," is "built around ongoing relationships with cultural practitioners, nonprofits, historians, artisans and educators," the resort says, and offers on-property activities, off-property excursions and culinary storytelling.

According to the announcement, the Kaua‘i Museum is the inaugural partner for a series that explores the Garden Isle's "history and creative expression within the broader Hawaiian story." Future programing will spotlight agriculture, lei making, traditional aquaculture, land stewardship, hula and Hawaiian storytelling.

"Kauaʻi has a spirit that's difficult to describe until you experience it," 

 says. "The island's beauty is obviously extraordinary, but what leaves the deepest impression on visitors is the people, the culture, and the genuine sense of community. There's an authenticity here that isn't manufactured. It's reflected in the way neighbors care for one another, the pride people have in preserving local traditions and the aloha that's shared every day.

"The Curio Collection provides a platform to celebrate those qualities rather than define them," he continued. "The goal isn't to bring something new to Kauaʻi, but to create a resort experience that honors what's already here and helps guests connect more deeply with the island, its stories and its people. We believe travelers today are looking for meaningful experiences, and Kauaʻi offers that in a way that's truly unique."

When asked what kind of response he's anticipating with the opening of the resort, 

we hope guests experience the genuine spirit of aloha that makes Kauaʻi so special."

[{"type":"text","text":"The resort is designed to be more than a place to stay, he says."}]

"We want it to feel welcoming, comfortable and familiar, a place where guests can truly relax and connect with Kauaʻi," Itoga continued. "What makes that experience special is our people. The majority of our team members are local residents, many born and raised on Kauaʻi. This is their home. They know the community, they care deeply about this island and they take pride in sharing its culture, traditions and history with our guests.

"Whether guests spend their time exploring the island or simply slowing down and enjoying the moment, we want them to feel the warmth and care that are such a natural part of life here. Our hope is that they leave with more than memories of Kauaʻi's beauty. We hope they leave feeling connected to the people, the place, and the spirit of aloha that makes this island so special."

Hale Hokuala Kauai exterior 100126

<title>Hawai‘i's first Curio Collection by Hilton resort now open</title>

You'll find Hale Hōkūala Kaua‘i within the Hōkūala Resort community in Līhu‘e. The resort is designed to be more than a place to stay, General Manager Jon Itoga told Aloha State Daily, noting, that "the goal isn't to bring something new to Kauaʻi, but to create a resort experience that honors what's already here and helps guests connect more deeply with the island, its stories and its people."

Hawai‘i's first Curio Collection by Hilton resort now open

The woman charged with murder after allegedly fatally shooting a man in Kailua last weekend was turned in by her father the day of the event, according to a Honolulu police report.

Hilinaikailimakualopali Keeno, 24, was charged on Sept. 30 with second-degree murder, carrying a firearm in the commission of a felony and improperly keeping a pistol or revolver. She is being held pending a $1 million bail.

An HPD document — which was submitted on Tuesday, Sept. 29, to the Honolulu Circuit Court to establish probable cause to detain Keeno without a warrant — states that Keeno’s father brought her to the Kailua Police Station less than an hour after 

was declared dead of a gunshot wound to the neck in the Kailua Target parking lot.

The report states that HPD special duty officers, who were working security at the Kailua Fall Festival that day, were called to assist with a group of festivalgoers involved in an argument at about 8:26 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Officers escorted the group out of the festival and watched them head toward the Target parking lot, only to hear another altercation begin among the group minutes later.

During this new altercation, a pop resembling a gunshot was heard, and officers saw two men — one of whom was Keeno’s brother — assaulting a third. Both assailants were placed under arrest for disorderly conduct, while officers discovered Malone on the ground, covered in blood.

[{"type":"text","text":"Malone was declared dead at the scene by 8:43 p.m."}]

At 9:39 p.m., Keeno was brought to the Kailua Police Station by her father, who told police she was involved in the incident and wanted to provide a statement in the presence of her attorney.

According to the HPD report, no interview was conducted with Keeno that night. Subsequently, HPD sought photographs and videos from the public to help piece together the event and identify the shooter.

On Sept. 28, another witness identified Keeno as the shooter, and HPD confirmed that Keeno has one firearm registered in her name, a Sig Sauer P365 handgun.

[{"type":"text","text":"Following this, Keeno was placed under arrest."}]

Keeno’s preliminary hearing, when she will plead guilty or not guilty to the charges, will take place Monday, Oct. 5. She remains in custody.

Hpd 16x9

<title>Woman charged in Kailua shooting turned in by father</title>

Hilinakailimakualopali Keeno faces a $1 million bail for a second-degree murder charge.

Woman charged in Kailua shooting turned in by father

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

[{"type":"text","text":"Caizel Jesus-Kapesi's parents knew it the day he was born. "}]

The son of Clisha Jesus and TeeJay Kapesi, Caizel was the second of four children and weighed 10 pounds at birth. 

"Literally as soon as he was born, we took him home, and that's how it started — Fatboy. He was a chunky kid," Clisha Jesus-Kapesi recalled to Aloha State Daily. 

And thus, Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi, the one the world has grown to love in recent days, was born. Clisha and TeeJay can't remember which parent coined the nickname, but it certainly stuck. 

In a 14-13 locally televised win at Leilehua on Aug. 21, Jesus-Kapesi completed 13 of his 20 passes for 193 yards, two interceptions and a touchdown. The gritty victory included a key first down in the closing minutes in which ‘Aiea went for it on fourth down deep in its own territory and converted to seal the game. For his efforts, Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi was named the Spectrum OC16 Impact Player of the Game. 

While interviewed by Spectrum's Jimmy Bender upon receiving his award, a TV super displaying Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi's name, weight, position and class was on display. The 6-foot-1, 268-pound sophomore quarterback quickly became an internet darling overnight, fans from around the world smitten with his name and social media posts of him reaching hundreds of thousands in reshares. Google Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi, and it would be hard to find a national sports content website that hasn't recycled the same set of pictures of him. 

"You must be here for Fatboy," multiple members of the ‘Aiea football program tell a visitor at a recent Na Ali‘i practice. 

Perhaps the first thing to know about Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi is that he's fully embraced his lifelong nickname. He politely introduces himself as Fatboy, and in the days since his viral introduction to the world, people who have never met him will approach him and say, 'Hey, you're Fatboy!'"

Due to the viral nature of his name, Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi was asked if local brands, such as local restaurant chain Fatboy's, have reached out. 

"I don't know about the restaurant yet. Hopefully soon," 

. "I was thinking about the FatBoy ice cream. That too, hopefully."

For those curious to learn more about him, what else should we know about Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi?

"I love cheeseburgers. I love burgers. That's one thing about me. I love burgers, especially McDonald's burgers," he said while flashing a grin. "You know, that's the one right there."

Life for the Jesus-Kapesi family has not been the same since last weekend. Their phones are still constantly buzzing with memes and comments. Through it all, Fatboy has stayed the same humble kid. During his viral interview, before he conceived it was possible he'd become as famous as he has, Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi gave the credit to God and his offensive line.  

"Being (seemingly everywhere) on social media, I take a lot of pride in it," he said. "I

t means a lot not just to me, but to my family. I'm putting my family's name out there, too."

Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi has been the starting quarterback on the varsity team at ‘Aiea High School since the beginning of his freshman year. He has a 3.7 grade point average and aspires to play college football. As ‘Aiea awaits improvements to its on-campus stadium, all of its games are on the road in 2026. Na Ali‘i improved to 2-0 after the Leilehua victory and will next take the field at Nānākuli on Saturday.

"I really, really want to play college football one day," he says. "My recruiting process so far, I'm working on it, but I'm ready."

A conversation with Clisha and TeeJay about Fatboy's ‘Aiea upbringing reveals why their son has been able to remain grounded despite his newfound fame. Young Caizel had his "knucklehead" moments, Mom says, but through strong parenting, he eventually learned and began to appreciate the process of earning everything he has, both good and bad. 

"'You can't do this, don't go do that. You have to do this to get that.' Having him work for his rewards. You want that? Then you work for it," Clisha says. "If you think we're hard, we're teaching you. He'll always be a kid at heart, and that's what I love about him."

Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi wouldn't gave gone viral last weekend if he weren't the Impact Player of the Game, and those go to winners. 

"I'm really proud of where he's at and where his potential could take him. We always tell him that what's done in the dark comes to light," TeeJay said. "The work he puts in on and off the field, the drilling he gets, letting him know that football's an avenue, and you can have all the talent, but you have to do everything right on and off the field. The talent can't outshine everything, and the classroom and the football field, one can't overcome the other, and he handles his business on that."

TeeJay is also an assistant linebackers coach for ‘Aiea, and he doesn't take it easy on Fatboy in practice. 

"Every day, we try to get this defense to bring the best out of not just him, but our offense as well," TeeJay said. 

The ‘Aiea community has supported Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi long before his viral moment. The rest of the world is now catching up. As nice as the attention is, nobody involved is pretending it's all been positive. 

"Seeing not only the positive comments, but the negative was really harsh," Clisha says. "I just had to remind him to just keep with the positive. (The attention) is something that we're not used to."

Mika Li‘ili‘i, ‘Aiea's head coach: 

"We always talk to the kids about social media. It can be evil and stuff like that. But in this situation, it's also a blessing for our school, for Fatboy to represent and bring some attention to our school and what we're doing. I know he feels it and he understands he's getting all the notoriety because his teammates are catching his balls and blocking for him and stuff like that."

Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi has played football for as long as he can remember, but he didn't get an opportunity to play quarterback until he was 12. 

He also dabbled in soccer and competitive hula, his 

 taking home a runner-up trophy during his only competition in 2019. 

Always on the bigger side, TeeJay remembers how he was placed as a lineman by default. "When he finally got his shot to be a quarterback, we hit the ground running, and that's who we have here today," Dad says. 

When one watches Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi throw a football, it's clear that doing so is easy to him. Using his upper body to gain torque, Fatboy spins it effortlessly in practice while his receivers practice multiple routes with him. 

Another thing that appears seamless to Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi: blending in with his teammates. In pre-practice stretching and jogging, he truly is one of the boys. His demeanor remains mellow and approachable.

Following a set of reps, his teammates, perhaps in acknowledgement of media around, break the huddle with "1, 2, 3, Fatboy!" 

[{"type":"text","text":"Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi can't help but laugh coyly."}]

"More people seeing that I'm on social media, I mean, it would be great for them to come to our games so we could show love to our community, show them what ‘Aiea High School football is about," he says. "For me, ‘Aiea is more than just a football program. It's home to me, so it means a lot."

Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi 082726

<title>‘Aiea quarterback Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi takes his newfound name fame in stride</title>

Jesus-Kapesi, the overnight viral sensation, confirms it's fine to call him by his nickname. He says he even prefers it.

‘Aiea quarterback Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi takes his newfound name fame in stride

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Hawai‘i History

, a Hawaiian scholar who developed and taught cultural curriculum at Punahou School from 1936 to 1941, the school’s 

 are rooted in being “children of Ka Punahou, the new spring.”

Pukui recognized then the school’s future as a “spring of wisdom. As the hala tree stands firm through wind or storm, so shall the children of this school stand strong and brave through joy and sorrow. And just as the hala tree has many uses, so shall these children be useful to Hawai‘i.”

Fluent in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, she went on to grow Punahou’s Hawaiian Studies program alongside Jane Lathrop Winne and later worked at Kamehameha Schools and Bishop Museum, in addition to publishing more than 50 works, including the “

ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings

.” Pukui devoted her life to preserving and perpetuating Hawaiian language, oral hisory, mele, hula, cultural traditions and practices, and more.

Fittingly, the first day of the 2026-27 school year at Punahou on Tuesday marked the official opening of the 

, which is named in her honor and breathes new life into the school’s former Cooke Library, which was originally built in 1908 and last reconstructed in 1964. According to the school, the historic library’s terrazzo wall, among other architectural features, “have been restored or incorporated into the new design.”

The structure itself has multiple entryways, with one entrance facing Ka Punahou, its namesake natural spring.

“When I was a student, I studied in this building and spent time learning here,” Punahou President Mike Latham, a 1986 graduate of the school, told Aloha State Daily. “As you can imagine, the purpose and function of libraries have changed quite a bit in the past 60 years — the way we store information and knowledge, the way that we teach, the way that we help students learn how to do research.

“We wanted to develop a facility, which would allow us to engage in a lot more collaborative and project based learning, where students are able to draw knowledge from different fields, and they can apply it to authentic real-world challenges and problems. That was really at the heart of the work that we're doing.”

The new, two-level center spans more than 53,000 square feet, and was designed by Honolulu-based 

, which was founded by Punahou alum, Pip White, and is currently led by 

 was the general contractor for the project, which began construction permitting in 2023.

Latham said the Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons is intended for students to engage with each other, teachers and staff, as well as community partners on research and innovation.

“In our professional lives, we are constantly doing collaborative work. Very rarely do we work entirely alone. And we wanted a building that really supported that kind of collaborative engagement by students and that created problem solving,” Latham told ASD. “It's really fundamental to the kind of education that we want to deliver. It's fundamental to the kind of work that Mary Kawena Pukui herself did, especially at Bishop Museum. I mean, she was constantly in collaboration with historians, anthropologists, linguists, archaeologists. ... She's a hallmark for what we're seeking to accomplish.

“This is a building that both looks into the past and draws inspiration from that past. But it's very much about preparing students for a world that's rapidly changing. And the forces of technology, AI, global interconnection, they really require that we think carefully about what students need to be able to do and learn to get ready for higher education, but also for this future workplace.”

The facility features a nearly 27,000 library book collection and expanded archives with a climate-controlled vault; a “History Wall,” or photo timeline connecting past and present; an extended reality design lab with technological capabilities for artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality; a teaching kitchen headed by local chef Mark Noguchi and outdoor garden space growing ʻulu, kalo, ʻuala (sweet potato) and hōʻiʻo (fern); an art gallery; and indoor and outdoor learning spaces.

Latham mentioned the significance of the two-story “History Wall” that “goes back to [Punahou’s] earlier days,” as a tool to "reflect on almost 200 years of history.”

“This building is the home of our archival collections ... and this intersection of two gifts; a Hawaiian commitment to knowledge, to reciprocity, to cultural exchange; and a missionary commitment to education,” he said, “Out of that shared heritage of [blending] Hawaiian and Christian heritage together, what complements that is the fact that Punahou becomes a home for people from all over the world, who come here, find a home, and ultimately, become part of the shared work that they do together.”

Latham added: “Every kid at Punahou, kindergarten through sixth grade, now studies Hawaiian language, which we're really proud of. Every student at Punahou takes a Hawaiian history course as a graduation requirement. Hawaiian is one of the major languages that we offer to all of our high school-level students. And I think we have in a far more intentional way come to recognize and embrace that part of our history, which also goes hand in hand with naming this signature academic building after such a prominent native Hawaiian scholar 

 it's a recognition of who she was and what she did for Punahou, but what she did more broadly for the entire state.”

He said last week that a number of Pukui's descendants, including her grandson, Laʻakea Suganuma, attended the building’s blessing ceremony and groundbreaking and was expected to be present at its opening celebration on Friday, Aug. 7.

The Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons also meets 

 (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification standard, with a rooftop photovoltaic system, rain gardens, water-efficient landscaping that uses native plants, and more.

Looking ahead, Latham said that he hopes that the new building will be used for not only student and teacher development, but also the broader community to continue to build relationships with donors and the state Department of Education, for example, among other partners.

“It's a project that further integrates the scope of our campus itself,” he said. “We're fortunate to have this very beautiful 76-acre campus here in Mānoa, and this building brings the campus together in a way that's really, really exciting.”

Fundraising for the project is still ongoing. Learn more 

Punahou School is the largest private K-12 school on a single campus in the country, with more than 3,755 students currently enrolled. The school’s tuition for the 2026-27 school year is $34,230, though, it has a $11.1 million budget annually for financial aid, which is dispersed to about a quarter of the student population, 

. Latham confirmed that the average award per student is around $12,000.

When asked what he’s been learning lately as a leader, Latham told ASD that having a clear sense of mission and purpose is “essential.”

That’s what first got his attention when conducting more research about Mary Kawena Pukui for the naming of this building.

“[Pukui said] that ‘Knowledge to me is life.’ ... If we can't do everything possible to preserve Hawaiian culture, what will happen to Hawaiʻi? What would Hawaiʻi be like without Hawaiian culture? What then? And so, I think her her sense of commitment and dedication, you know, we often talk about this idea of kuleana, or responsibility or duty. For her, there was a clear North Star. She knew what she was trying to accomplish. And it became her life's work,” he said. “Your mission should matter. And having a clear and compelling mission, which you're proud of, which is resonant, comes back to that idea of a North Star.”

Punahou Learning Commons student on lanai

<title>Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons unveiled at Punahou School</title>

The new center, named after the Hawaiian historian and scholar who taught at Punahou in the 1930s, replaces the school’s former Cooke Library. Aloha State Daily sat down with President Mike Latham to learn more about Pukui’s history at Punahou and in the broader community, as well as how her legacy continues to shape the next generation of students.

Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons unveiled at Punahou School

At Aloha State Daily, sometimes readers provide tips, ask questions or share observations that lead to our next stories. 

One that came our way recently was a claim that “judges in Hawai‘i only work one week a month.” It was a quick email to the state Judiciary to confirm that judges work full-time, but it led to the question: “what 

To answer that, we spoke to Ronald Ibarra, former chief judge of the Third Circuit Court on Hawai‘i Island from 1989 to 2017, about his average daily workload.

“It’s definitely more than one week a month,” Ibarra laughed. He described long work weeks made up of long workdays, with the scant minutes between cases spent preparing for the next ones.

“For a typical workload, you can look at a judge’s calendar,” Ibarra said. “We’re usually in court hearing cases from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. … That’s the most important piece of a judge’s day.”

While the type of cases heard vary between judges — district court judges will hear a high volume of low-level offenses, circuit court judges may hear cases going to jury trial, and so on — Ibarra said resolving these cases quickly is a judge’s most important role, and therefore requires a heavy workload to get through them all.

Ibarra, who said he had been assigned the role of senior family court judge on the Big Island, said family court judges have just as heavy a workload as others. In fact, he added, family court can be even harder, since issues like temporary restraining orders need to be resolved as quickly as possible in order to end potentially abusive situations.

 by the Hawai‘i State Judiciary states that there were more than 40,000 cases across all circuit courts for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. According to the Hawai‘i State Data Book, the state employs 

 across its courts, not including per diem judges. (They're outnumbered — the same source notes there are nearly 5,000 active licensed attorneys in the Islands.)

[{"type":"text","text":"But resolving any case requires preparation."}]

“It’s almost like being a school teacher,” Ibarra said. “Teachers need to prepare tomorrow’s lessons, and that happens after hours.”

Ibarra said prep work for the next day’s cases can last for hours after the courtroom closes. He recalled days when he stayed up past midnight researching cases for the next day. A workday also typically includes reviewing and signing motions filed with the court, which also happens outside of courtroom hours.

Prep work for upcoming cases requires not just reading what has been filed by both parties’ attorneys, but by looking through all the prior cases the attorneys have cited in their arguments to make sure they are being accurately invoked. This has become even more important in recent years, Ibarra said: 

 earlier this year to submitting briefs generated by AI, which cited wholly fictional cases.

Preparing for jury trials also require lengthy reviews of all prior documents in the case, in order to head off any potential legal questions that may arise.

“Attorneys deserve a judge who is prepared,” Ibarra said. “We can’t keep calling a recess just so I can look things up. That’s not fair to the jury … and attorneys are charging by the hour for their services.”

Ibarra said he had a law clerk who helped with research, although that didn’t necessarily reduce his own workload.

His other assistant was a court clerk, who would be in charge of maintaining the judge’s schedule — a balancing act in and of itself, Ibarra said. Because the court clerk must be present when court is in session, they would only be able to respond to calls from attorneys — who were typically calling to schedule new court hearings — during recesses.

So, Ibarra said, court recesses would often be spent retreating to his office to catch up on voicemails and find ways to wedge new hearings into his already packed schedule.

This is another facet of the job that has become harder as technology has improved: Ibarra said that, now that files can be submitted electronically, attorneys can and have sent in motions minutes before deadlines, requiring hasty read-throughs and reviews.

As part of occasional civic education events, school classes would sometimes visit the courthouse, where Ibarra would speak about the role of the judiciary and answer questions. This, too, would take place during recesses.

As chief justice, Ibarra said he was also obligated to attend meetings and conferences, typically in Honolulu, which would also have to be fit into his schedule.

“Usually, I’d go in at 7 a.m. and stay until 6 p.m. at least,” Ibarra said. “And I’d go in on Saturdays, usually at 9 a.m. and stay until 5 p.m. Sometimes I’d go in on Sundays, too.”

Ibarra was frank about his work-life balance: “My wife hated it … If I could do it again, I don’t think I would.”

When talking to incoming judges, Ibarra said he has advised them to leave more time for their families. He added that the culture among attorneys seems to be shifting to favor a more balanced lifestyle.

Whether the pay is worth it is, of course, a matter of personal judgment, but judge salaries range from about $225,000 for a district court judge to about $272,000 for a Supreme Court justice. Judge salaries are also set to increase by about 25% over the next five years, based on 

 to the state Legislature by the state Commission on Salaries.

Pritchett Cartoon: Trojan Panda

John Pritchett

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Authors

John Pritchett

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