Haw. Sup. Ct. Order: order585a

Electronically Filed

Supreme Court

SCMF-23-0000343

28-MAY-2025

08:15 AM

Dkt. 7 ORD

SCMF-23-0000343

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF HAWAI‘I

________________________________________________________________

In the Matter of the

RURAL PATERNITY ADVOCATE PILOT PROJECT IN THE THIRD CIRCUIT

________________________________________________________________

ORDER EXTENDING THE PILOT PROJECT

(By: Recktenwald, C.J., McKenna, Eddins, Ginoza, and Devens, JJ.)

On May 15, 2023 this court established the Rural Paternity

Advocate Pilot Project in the Third Circuit allowing a qualified

paralegal under the supervision of the Legal Aid Society of

Hawai‘i (Legal Aid) to provide legal assistance to clients on

family court issues related to paternity, child custody and

visitation (Pilot Project).

On February 7, 2025, Legal Aid submitted a Final Report and

Recommendations on the Pilot Project, requesting to extend it.

On March 25, 2025, the Access to Justice Commission

submitted a letter supporting the Pilot Project.

It is hereby ordered:

A. The Pilot Project shall be extended to June 30, 2028.

In all other respects, the Pilot Project authorized by the May

15, 2023 “Order Establishing a Rural Paternity Advocate Pilot

Project in the Third Circuit” remains in effect.

B. On or before January 31, 2028, the Legal Aid Society

of Hawai‘i shall submit a Second Report on the Pilot Project’s

performance and whether permanent implementation is desired.

C. A copy of the Second Report shall be served on the

Access to Justice Commission (AJC) and the Hawai‘i State Bar

Association (HSBA) for comment, and the AJC and HSBA may submit

any comments on the program to the court within 60 days after

service. Legal Aid, AJC or HSBA may request an extension of

these deadlines for good cause.

DATED: Honolulu, Hawai‘i, May 28, 2025.

/s/ Mark E. Recktenwald

/s/ Sabrina S. McKenna

/s/ Todd W. Eddins

/s/ Lisa M. Ginoza

/s/ Vladimir P. Devens

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