Celebrating a Decade of Free Legal Aid: Kona Self-Help Center Marks 10 Years of Community Service

The Kona Courthouse Self-Help Center recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The event, sponsored by the West Hawaiʻi Bar Association on January 19, 2024, was attended by Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald and Third Circuit Chief Judge Robert D.S. Kim. They honored attorneys who provided free legal consultations at the center. Since its inception, the center has assisted 4,165 individuals, many of whom lacked funds for legal representation.

Chief Justice Recktenwald highlighted the center's significant role, which operates with minimal state costs. This efficiency is due to partnerships with the Hawaii State Bar Association, the Legal Aid Society, AmeriCorp staff, and local attorneys. The center deals with civil issues like evictions and divorces, aiming to ensure equal justice access. The event also acknowledged volunteers, including Brit Barker, Edward Fetzer, and retired Chief Judge Ronald Ibarra.

Andrew Kennedy, president of the West Hawaiʻi Bar Association, shared positive expectations for 2024. The Self-Help Center plans to reopen at the Keahuolū Courthouse after being closed due to the pandemic. The new location will offer improved facilities, including a conference room and smaller meeting rooms, to better meet community legal needs.

The center began as a small desk in the basement of the former Keakealani Courthouse and has grown significantly. This growth was supported by collaborations with the Judiciary, the Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i. It is now named after retired Chief Judge Ronald Ibarra, honoring his contributions to justice access in Hawai‘i.

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