The history of Filipino lawyers in Hawaii spans over a century, beginning with early labor advocates and evolving to include prominent figures in the judiciary and a strong contemporary bar association. (Note: Article generated using AI resources and may be updated for accuracy.)
Early History: The Struggle for Rights
The history begins with Pablo Manlapit, who arrived in 1910 and became Hawaii's first Filipino lawyer in 1919. A tireless advocate, he organized significant sugar plantation strikes in the 1920s for better working conditions, though his activism ultimately led to his deportation. Following World War II, the next wave of pioneers emerged:
Peter Aduja and Ben Menor became the first two Filipino lawyers to pass the Territorial bar exam in 1953.
Alfred Laureta followed shortly after in 1954. These lawyers often served the Filipino community directly when larger firms would not hire them.
Peter Aduja also achieved a political milestone, becoming the first Filipino American elected to public office in the United States when he won a seat in the Hawaii Territorial House of Representatives in 1954.
Ben Menor went on to become the first Filipino American male circuit court judge in 1968, and the first Filipino American male Justice on the Supreme Court of Hawaii in 1974.
Judicial Milestones: Justice Simeon Acoba
Justice Simeon Acoba, Jr. built upon this legacy, reaching the highest levels of the state judiciary. Serving from May 2000 until his retirement in 2014, Justice Acoba was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Hawaii. He was a key figure in establishing the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, an initiative that has significantly expanded legal services for low-income residents across the islands.
Today: The Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association (HFLA)
Today, Filipino lawyers are an integral part of the Hawaii legal landscape. The Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association (HFLA), promotes professional growth, community service, and inclusivity.
Key Figures: Abelina (Abby) Madrid Shaw
Abby was a prominent figure in Hawaii as a dedicated public servant and immigration attorney, known for being the first Filipino-American graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law.
Pioneer in Law: A member of the first graduating class of the William S. Richardson School of Law in 1976, she blazed a trail as the first Filipino American graduate of the school.
Public Service Career: Her career in public service was extensive, starting with a law clerk position for Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Menor. She held various executive positions in state government, including Deputy Attorney General and Director of the Department of Health's hospitals.
City & County of Honolulu Leadership: For ten years, she worked for the City and County of Honolulu, serving as First Deputy Corporation Counsel, Director of the Department of Community Services, and ultimately as Chief of Staff for Mayor Jeremy Harris, the first Filipino American woman to hold that post.
Community Advocacy: Born and raised on a Kauaʻi sugar plantation, Shaw was a passionate advocate for the Filipino community and other underserved populations. She championed causes like healthcare access and the rights of World War II Filipino American veterans.
Community Involvement: She was deeply involved in numerous community organizations, serving as the chairman of the board of the Filipino Community Center, president of the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, and an officer of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce.
Immigration Law Practice: After retiring from public service in 2005, she established her own law firm specializing in immigration law, a practice she maintained for a decade.
Recognition: Her dedication to service was recognized with numerous awards, including being named one of the eight "most outstanding alumni" of the William S. Richardson School of Law in 2024 and an honor from the Filipino Community Center in 2023.
Current key figures and initiatives:
Rebecca Priscilla Gardner currently serves as the President of the HFLA.
David Forman is anoter prominent figure in Hawaii as a Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Environmental Law Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's William S. Richardson School of Law. He is an expert in environmental law, Native Hawaiian and Indigenous law, and civil rights issues.
Daniel Padilla, Of Counsel at Carlsmith Ball LLP, received the 2023 Progress Award in Law & Jurisprudence for his volunteer work with the HFLA, Filipino Chamber of Commerce, and other entities.
Rhoda Yabes Alvarez leads a private practice specializing in U.S. and Philippine law, serving clients in multiple languages including Tagalog and Ilocano.
Judge Catherine Haunani Remigio serves as a Circuit Court Judge, having previously been a Family Court Judge and an O`ahu Deputy Public Defender.
Will Tungol and HFLA leadership are actively advocating for an increase in the number of judges of Filipino ancestry to better reflect the state's population on the bench.
Other sitting and retired Filipino judges in Hawaii include Circuit Court Judges Randal Valenciano and Katherine Watanabe, and District Court Judges Edmund Acoba, William Domingo, and Darolyn Lendio-Heim.
The history of Filipino lawyers in Hawaii is a story of overcoming barriers, achieving significant judicial appointments, and continuing community advocacy and professional growth today.