HONOLULU (HI Now) - Chief Justices from Kansas and Ohio Touring Hawai‘i to Promote Urgent, Timely Message.
No one is above the law. This simple principle has guided our nation for centuries but has increasingly been under attack. The judicial system, designed to provide checks and balances to the executive and legislative branches of government, is playing an even more important role these days to protect the basic rights of people that many have taken for granted.
Keep Our Republic is a national nonpartisan civic education organization committed to the vitality of America’s democracy by promoting trust in elections, the rule of law and constitutional checks and balances.
The organization has established the Alliance of Former Chief Justices, whose membership includes recently retired Hawai‘i Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. There are currently about 60 former chief justices who have joined forces to raise awareness about the importance of an independent, free court system in communities across the nation. They are conducting tours in major U.S. cities and will be coming to Hawai‘i next month.
Recktenwald is spearheading the effort to bring former Chief Justice Lawton Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court and former Chief Justice Maureen O‘Connor of the Supreme Court of Ohio for a whirlwind tour in Hawai‘i from November 30 to December 2. Sponsors of the Hawai‘i tour include the American Judicature Society and Davis Democracy Initiative, which are nonpartisan nonprofit organizations. The schedule of the three-day tour includes:
ADVERTISEMENT
- Monday, November 30
Beginning at 10:30 a.m., the former chief justices will participate in a rally before 150 students at Mililani High School, followed by a breakout session with a smaller group of students for a time of questions and answers. Students from other high schools will be joining the Mililani High School students.
At 5:30 p.m. that day, the former chief justices will tackle the topic of “After the Vote: Beyond Politics” to address the potential fallout of challenges to mid-term election results at a public meeting sponsored by the Hawai‘i Institute for Public Affairs, in partnership with the American Judicature Society and the Hawai‘i Coalition for Civil Rights. The event will be held at Café Julia at the YWCA Laniākea Center at 1040 Richards Street across ‘Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu.
- Tuesday, December 1
The former chief justices will also speak to University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law students, providing a “Post-Election Outlook: Perspectives from the Bench, beginning at noon. This hybrid session will also be livestreamed so that others, including neighbor island residents, can join the interactive session.
That evening, the American Judicature Society will welcome the former chief justices as keynote speakers for its annual membership meeting at the Pacific Club, beginning at 4:30 pm. The meeting is open to AJS members as well as the public.
- Wednesday, December 2
The former chief justices will wrap up their tour with a presentation for Punahou School students focusing on “Courts and Politics: Where Is the Line?” moderated by Punahou School President Mike Latham.
ADVERTISEMENT
The chief justices also have other planned media events throughout their time in Hawai‘i to further promote the rule of law and encourage more to do their part to perpetuate democracy and protect Hawai‘i residents.
About the American Judicature Society
The American Judicature Society (AJS) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization working nationally to protect the integrity of the American justice system. Its mission is to secure and promote an independent and qualified judiciary and a fair system of justice. Membership includes lawyers, judges, teachers, students, community members, and others who are advocates for a fair system of justice. Visit americanjudicaturesociety.org.
About the Davis Democracy Initiative
The Davis Democracy Initiative is a K-12 civic education program based on Punahou School, founded by attorney Mark Davis and his wife Janie in 2023. Davis is a founding member of Davis, Levin, Livingston and a former ACLU national board member. The program, administered by David Ball and Pamela Sakamoto, encourages students to think critically about public policy, and actively participate in democratic institutions. Visit punahou.edu/davis-democracy-initiative.
About the Hawai‘i Institute for Public Affairs
The Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs (HIPA) is Hawaii’s first nonprofit, nonpartisan, and independent research organization whose mission is to provide research, analysis, and recommendations on public policy issues facing Hawaiʻi. Visit hipa.org
About the Hawai‘i Coalition for Civil Rights
The Hawai‘i Coalition for Civil Rights (HCCR) is a broad coalition that collectively promotes social justice and equal rights in Hawai`i and the nation in response to federal policies and programs that impact social justice, immigrant rights and the rule of law. Visit hicivilrights.org.
Copyright 2026 KHNL. All rights reserved.