Kona attorneys honored for helping 600 West Hawaii residents off the clock

KEALAKEKUA — Thirty-six attorneys were recognized during the Kona Self-Help Recognition Awards on Nov. 7 for voluntarily providing free legal information to 600-plus Hawaii Island residents who sought help at the recently expanded Kona Courthouse Self-Help Center in 2017.

The number of people who sought and received services increased by more than 27 percent from 2016-17.

The Self-Help Center was established in October 2013 as part of the Judiciary’s commitment to help people who must represent themselves in civil cases each year because they cannot afford an attorney, a press release from the judiciary stated. Since opening, it has assisted more than 2,000 people, with volunteer attorneys providing approximately 760 hours of legal information on civil matters, such as temporary restraining orders and divorce. These services have been provided nearly cost-free to the state.