Politics Can Be Like “a Street Brawl Outside a Bar”
David Louie recalls his time as the state’s top lawyer (2011-14) in the memoir, “From the Desk of the Attorney General.” Here are behind-the-scenes excerpts.
Law
Volunteering on Government Boards Yields Emotional, Intellectual and Professional Rewards
Volunteer to serve on a government board or commission and you will have a say in decisions involving land use, affordable housing, taxes or other important issues.
Commercial vs. Personal Auto Insurance for Business Owners
Using your car for work? Choose your insurance coverage wisely. Kevin Kurosu of First Insurance Co. of Hawaii explains when business owners need commercial coverage instead of personal auto insurance.
New State Laws Have Significant Effects on Employers
The rules have changed on nondisclosure agreements, criminal background checks and family leave, while financial penalties for violating some labor regulations have increased as much as 1,000%. By the time the veto deadline for Hawai‘i’s 2020 legislative session arrived on…
My Job: Murder Maven
NAME: Reneau Kennedy JOB: Clinical and forensic psychologist BEGINNINGS: Kennedy was born and raised in rural Idaho. She received her doctorate in psychology from Boston University in 1994. “I did my dissertation on men who murdered and I did two…
Talk Story: Camille Nelson, Dean, UH Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law
Before taking the helm at the Richardson School of Law in August, Nelson was the dean for the law schools at American University in Washington, D.C., and Suffolk University in Boston. Her scholarship includes a focus on race theory and…
Force Majeure – What is it?
The profound economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic shows little sign of easing. As companies throughout Hawai‘i look for ways to reduce the financial impacts of business closures, cancelled events and travel restrictions, it makes perfect sense that a…
COVID-19 Might be an Act of God That Voids Business Contracts
It’s possible that some businesses in Hawai‘i will try to claim that circumstances surrounding COVID-19 absolve them of obligations under a business contract. Whether they have…
New Hope for Struggling Businesses
The federal Small Business Reorganization Act makes bankruptcy a more realistic option for small companies in Hawai‘i The Small Business Reorganization Act has made filing for Chapter 11 protection a lot easier for many businesses. The SBRA was passed by…
Cades Schutte: More than 97 Years of Dedicated Legal Service
Cades Schutte’s association with Merging Visions 2019 confirms that even Hawaii’s largest law firm must look past today to be ready for tomorrow. Supported by more than 97 years of dedicated legal service, Cades Schutte is Hawaii’s largest full-service law…
New State Law Imposes Fines for Fake Service Animals
America loves dogs more than ever. In 2019, with nearly 90 million of man’s best friends living in 55 percent of American households, the retail pet industry expects to fetch $86 billion in sales. Also on the upswing in recent…
Dying is Now A Choice
Hawaii's Medical Aid in Dying law takes effect Jan. 1, but some doctors are among the local professionals who are not ready to deal with the law. Mary, a 78-year-old Hawaii resident, doesn’t look like someone who would want to…
Should You Vote Yes or No on Property Tax Measure?
The state Legislature is asking voters to approve a major restructuring of our tax system The state Legislature is trying to muscle into the counties’ main area of taxation, property taxes, and voters will choose Nov. 6 whether to let…
Cades Schutte: More than 95 Years of Dedicated Legal Service [Sponsored]
Cades Schutte’s association with Merging Visions 2018 demonstrates that even one of Hawaii’s largest law firms must look past today to be ready for tomorrow. Supported by more than 95 years of dedicated legal service, Cades Schutte is Hawaii’s largest…
Is it Legal to Secretly Record a Conversation in Hawaii?
Yes, it is legal to secretly record a conversation in Hawaii as long as one person in the conversation consents – and that can be the person doing the recording. You can do the recording in person or on the…
Many Hawaii Companies Have Not Fully Protected their Local Brand Names
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office lists 1,645 trademarked businesses with Hawaii, Hawaiian or Aloha in the name. Of those, only 60 percent or 983 are based in the Islands. The rest are based on the Mainland or Alaska. Compare…
Hello Legal World, Here Comes Hawaii
Local law firm Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing joins the largest partnership of attorneys on the planet Honolulu has joined the world of global law firms with the finalized affiliation between one of Hawaii’s most prestigious law firms – Alston…
Aloha Poke Case Raises Issue for All Hawaii Businesses: Protecting Your Brand Name
Businesses in Hawaii should trademark their names on a federal level, two local lawyers say. “If Hawaii businesses want to protect the word “Aloha” in connection with their particular products, they need to register it,” says patent attorney and Cades…
Independent Investigations
Question: An employee may have stolen a lot of money from our company, but we’re not sure. What should we do? Answer: This kind of nightmare can come in many forms: An employee may or may not have stolen from you or a…
How Will Urban Honolulu Deal With the Rising Ocean?
Eroding beaches, king tides and groundwater inundation are already impacting the urban core and it will only get much worse. Here’s what is being considered to limit the damage.
Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work 2021
71 companies of all sizes worked hard and thoughtfully to support their employees. In return, each company got a loyal and enthusiastic workforce.
How Covid Changed Restaurants in Hawai‘i
People inside the industry describe their struggles, innovations and hopes for the future.
