NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Foundation of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) has donated $75,000 to the Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i for Wildfire Disaster Legal Assistance.

The tragic events that destroyed Lahaina and ravaged upcountry Maui continue to reverberate throughout Hawai'i and beyond. Many who lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and priceless possessions, will never fully recover. 

Nevertheless, there are many people working tirelessly to assist in the long and difficult journey back from this catastrophe. 

ACTL recognizes that attorneys will play a prominent role in this recovery, and that access to justice for many victims of the fires will require access to an attorney. The dedicated lawyers working with the Legal Aid Society 
of Hawai'i – Hawai'i’s oldest and largest non-profit, public interest law firm – will provide zero-fee disaster legal aid to the most vulnerable in our society. 

“ACTL’s partnership with Legal Aid is critical to supporting residents whose lives have been upended by the devastating wildfires on Maui, and enhances our ability to provide direct legal services, education, training, and outreach,” says David Kauila Kopper, Executive Director of Legal Aid Hawai'i. “The generosity of the Foundation’s donation to LASH will assist us in serving a clear public need — that those affected by the Maui wildfire disaster may begin to regain some control over their lives through the civil legal assistance and education provided. As individuals are able to rebuild their lives, the communities and economy of Maui will also begin to flourish again.”

LASH staff have been involved in the recovery effort from the start, providing disaster-related training and education at local resource fairs; staffing the Disaster Resource Centers along with other agencies; participating in weekly calls to coordinate governmental and non-governmental people and resources; disseminating information through their website and social media accounts; and, directly serving Maui residents with their immediate needs.

In the first two months following the fires, LASH opened more than 40 disaster-related cases. During this first phase of the recovery, most immediate needs have centered around document replacement (vital documents, immigration documents) and housing issues. As the recovery matures beyond the emergency phase, housing issues will persist and intensify, and residents are likely to require assistance with legal needs related to income, healthcare, domestic violence, and consumer issues such as debt and identity theft.

“The Foundation is honored to provide a $75,000 grant to support LASH in their vital mission to assist Maui wildfire victims, an effort that is expected to last several years and to cost well over $1M in total,” says David Hensler, President of the U.S. Foundation. “The Foundation is committed to providing access to justice to those who need it most and is deeply gratified to have quickly provided crucial assistance to the residents and businesses of Maui.”

In addition to the U.S. Foundation, many Fellows of the College, from both Hawai'i and the continent, have made individual donations to various organizations responding to the wildfires. These donations will help support those directly involved in recovery efforts, especially including the Legal Aid attorneys working to provide legal representation to those who otherwise might lack access to justice.

Hawai‘i Island, HI – The Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i will be offering free legal information presentations on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Kaʻū District Gym Multipurpose Room.

Topics to be covered include: Divorce, Custody, Visitation, and Child Support (11:00 a.m.); Kūpuna Legal Issues, including Wills, Advanced Healthcare Directives, Powers of Attorney, and Guardianships (12:00 p.m.); Vital Documents and Health Insurance (12:30 p.m.); SSI/SSDI (1:00 p.m.); and Housing, including Landlord-Tenant, Foreclosure, and Reverse Mortgage (1:30 p.m.).

No appointments are needed, and all presentations are open to the public; however, the public is asked to keep in mind that only legal information, not legal advice can be shared during the presentations. For individuals wanting to apply for Legal Aid’s services, staff members will be on-site to assist with submitting an application.

“Our goal is to try to make this information more accessible to members of the community, especially for those who may not live near our Hilo or Kona offices,” says Hawai‘i Island Managing Attorney, Scott Shishido. “During stakeholder interviews, we repeatedly heard that it would be nice if Legal Aid was out in the community more; this is an effort to respond to those requests.”
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The Kaʻū District Gym Multipurpose Room is located at 96-1219 Kamani Street, Pāhala, Hawai‘i 96777.

The Board of Directors of The Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i is pleased to welcome David Kauila Kopper as its new Executive Director starting on June 13, 2023.

“The Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i is looking forward to working with David Kauila Kopper, our new Executive Director, in carrying on fulfilling our mission of providing high quality legal advocacy, outreach and education in pursuit of fairness and justice and improving access to justice, especially for our vulnerable community members,” said Blaine Rogers, President of the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i Board of Directors. 

David (AKA “Kauila”) comes to Legal Aid as the former Director of Litigation at Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (NHLC). He represented NHLC clients in various matters relating to Native Hawaiian rights law, including historic property and burial site preservation, government leases and programs, administrative law and due process rights, protection of traditional and customary practices, and land title and historical native land claims.  

Much of David’s practice with NHLC focused on holding the state and local governments to their trust obligations towards Native Hawaiians. He litigated Hawaiian entitlement program disputes, including those arising under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. He also litigated multiple lawsuits aimed to protect the exercise of traditional and customary practices on Mauna Kea. David started with NHLC as Intake Staff in 2010. He then took on the roles of Staff Attorney and Director of Litigation, and has also served as Interim Executive Director. 

David’s experience before all of Hawaiʻi’s courts and various administrative bodies, especially as a transitional leader at NHLC, will serve as an asset for Legal Aid as it continues its mission work after the departure of long-time Executive Director Nalani Fujimori Kaina.  

David excels at community engagement and working closely with prospective clients and partners, has continuing relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, and has previously partnered with contract and grant providers to secure funding. He is passionate about serving the keiki and kūpuna, individuals and families, and Hawai‘i’s vulnerable groups and communities. 

He has also served as panel speaker and presenter at a wide range of trainings, conferences and radio shows, most recently for the Harvard Law Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) and Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission. 
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“I have always gravitated towards organizations that serve and empower communities, ʻohana, and people in need. And I deeply admire those rare breed of advocates who unselfishly dedicate themselves to that mission,” said David. “I am honored to serve as the next Executive Director of our state's oldest and largest nonprofit legal services provider and embrace wholeheartedly the kuleana entrusted to me: to carry forward LASH's 70-year legacy of advancing justice and fairness all across our pae ʻāina.”

Originally from Hilo, David received his degrees from William S. Richardson School of Law (J.D. magna cum laude, 2010) and from Arizona State University (magna cum laude, 2006). He is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. 
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In his spare time, he is either out in nature or playing music. He is an avid outdoorsman and a classically trained professional musician with hundreds of public performances. 

​We are excited to see Legal Aid continue its pursuit to build a just society and advance access to justice under David's leadership. Please join us in giving him a warm welcome.  

The Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i will be offering free legal information presentations on Friday, May 5, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Jerry Nelson Conference Room, located in the W. M. Keck Observatory. 

​Topics to be covered include: Divorce, Custody, Visitation, and Child Support (10:00 a.m.); Kupuna Legal Issues, including Wills, Advanced Healthcare Directives, Powers of Attorney, and Guardianships (11:00 a.m.); Vital Documents and Health Insurance (11:30 a.m.); SSI/SSDI (1:30 p.m.); and Housing, including Landlord-Tenant, Foreclosure, and Reverse Mortgage (2:00 p.m.).
 
No appointments are needed, and all presentations are open to the public; however, the public is asked to keep in mind that only legal information, not legal advice can be shared during the presentations.  For individuals wanting to apply for Legal Aid’s services, staff members will be on-site to assist with submitting an application.
 
“Our goal is to try to make this information more accessible to members of the community, especially for those who may not live near our Hilo or Kona offices,” says Hawai‘i Island Managing Attorney, Scott Shishido. “During stakeholder interviews, we repeatedly heard that it would be nice if Legal Aid was out in the community more; this is an effort to respond to those requests.”
 
The Jerry Nelson Conference Room is within the W. M. Keck Observatory, located at 65-1120 Mamalahoa Highway, Kamuela, Hawai‘i 96743.