Lawyers & Judges in School Program

Celebrating Civics in Schools and in the Community

PACE Commissioners and HSBA Civic Education Committee members support teachers and students, provide resources, and share stories about local and national advocates whose experiences connect to places and events in Hawaiʻi to allow students (K-12) to appreciate unique places, people, and events in our communities. Stories of advocacy that have influenced lawmakers and constituents of Hawaiʻi to ensure a civil and diverse democracy for all people include Aunty Pilahi Paki, the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink, Fred Korematsu, and others. PACE Commissioners and HSBA Civic Education Committee members have created PowerPoints, Worksheets, Activities, and other teaching tools for teacher teams and students (K-12) to learn more about how government works, how law affects their lives, why it is essential to be active participants in their community; what to know about careers in legal fields (private and government); what are differences among municipal, state and federal government systems; what are similarities and differences between State and U.S. Constitutional Law; what are the three branches of government, etc. It also covered what Lawyers do, the RULE OF LAW, the three branches of government, checks and balances, the U.S. Constitution, the Civil Liberties & the Constitution Day in Hawaiʻi.

Recent Events

During Civics Awareness Month (October 2022), HSBA responded promptly to an effort led by the Commission to Promote and Advance Civic Education (PACE Commission) to facilitate requests by teachers for judges and lawyers to speak with students at schools.

For “Constitution Day” in September 2023, PACE Commissioners and HSBA Civic Education Committee members spent two days at Ewa Makai Middle School. Through the PACE-initiated efforts, PACE commissioners and lawyer members of the HSBA Civic Education Committee engaged with approximately 500 sixth-grade students, sharing stories and lessons about our legal system and our democratic government.

Goal

To assist both public and private school teachers (K-12) in requesting judges and attorneys to speak at schools and enhance learning about civics for students. The HSBA Civic Education Committee helps by coordinating visits from lawyers to classrooms, based on availability of volunteer attorneys.

How to Participate

For a judge or attorney to speak at a school, teachers may contact:

Mr. Ahukini Fuertes or fill out a request form or send an email to the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association.

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