Homeownership Can Be One of Many Casualties of a Divorce
Start planning early, because once a divorce decree is issued, it can be too late to arrange necessary financing on the house or save both spouses’ credit scores.
Law
What’s Up with All the Email Disclaimers?
A local attorney says some can be helpful. For instance, a disclaimer can stop a proposal from becoming a legal obligation.
The Reality of Abortion in Hawai‘i
Abortion is legal in the Islands, but access and support fall short. Khara Jabola-Carolus of the State Commission on the Status of Women explains what women really need.
My Job as a Family Mediator Is to Minimize the Fallout of Divorce
“It’s not divorce that’s bad for kids; it’s conflict,” says Katie Bennett.
How a Law Student is Breaking into Venture Capital
Madonna Castro Perez, who grew up on Guam, is rising fast in a male-dominated world.
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.
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…
25 People for the Next 25 Years
Thirty-year-old developer Adam Wong has an intoxicating vision for a vibrant — and affordable — Honolulu. Thirty-three-year-old James Koshiba dreams of a new generation of socially-conscious businesses that do as much for the community as they do their bottom lines.…
Internet Transforms Home Sales, but Realtors Survive
Some say real estate professionals might be more important than ever Less than 20 years ago, prospective homebuyers could look at newspapers and drive around to find yard signs. However, most would call a Realtor because they alone had access…
Ask SmallBiz: Dividing Family Stock
Q. What should the owners of a family business consider when dividing shares of stock among their children? I have been told never to give two children equal shares. -Monica Toguchi, VP, Administration and Planning, Highway Inn Inc. A. You’re right,…
