AWARDS
I've been honored to receive several awards during my legal and writing career. In August 2003, I received the American Bar Association's Franklin N. Flashner Award given to the nation's outstanding judge in a court of limited jurisdiction. In 2012, Hawaii Women Lawyers awarded me the Outstanding Judicial Achievement Award.
In 2011 I received the inaugural Judicial Innovative Award from the Hawai`i Friends of Justice and Civic Education. In 2005, the Hawaii State Bar Association's Diversity and Equality Committee awarded me the first Outstanding leadership for Diversity in the Legal Profession.
My writing awards started by winning a Honolulu Magazine Writing contest followed by several Po`okela Awards. Recently I won the Lorin Tarr Gill Award. My poem, “Goodnight Mom, Goodnight Dad,” won first place.
But the award I cherish the most is the Badge of Honor Award given to me by my son Taylor for surviving helping him with his Science Fair project in seventh grade.
Judge Betty Vitousek, me (and my unborn son, Justin), Laura Crites and the notorious Ruth Bader Ginsburg, prior to becoming a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, December 1986 in Honolulu, Hawai`i.
Photo of the late Bob Krauss and me at the Po`okela Awards (Hawaii Book Publishing Awards)
Kerlan Award recipient allowing me to study the vast collection of children book writers and illustrators.
Hawai`i's Junior Miss 1972: Above: Surrounded by family after being crowned
Left: Arriving in Mobile, Alabama
National Judicial College: Hall of Honor recipient for teaching 20 years
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Hawaii Justice Foundation, Board Member, Grant Committee member
Olelo, Secretary 2019, Board Member, Program and Marketing Committee member
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Bar Association
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Hawaii State Bar Association
Hawaii Women Lawyers
The Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation
Society of Children Book Writers & Illustrators
National League of American Pen Women