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LAW SCHOOL PROFILE
University of Hawaii at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law [by Carina Zaragozaa] The University of Hawaii at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law places special emphasis on fields of law of particular importance to Hawaii and the Pacific region, such as environmental law, native Hawaiian rights, ocean law, and Pacific and Asian Legal Studies.
Ahh, Hawaii. Who can resist the beautiful
Asian interests. Therefore it stands to reason
beaches, marvelous waterfalls, breathtaking
that the students are current residents or
flowers, and an outstanding legal education?
have ties to the region, as they have a higher
The University of Hawaii at Manoa William
Well, a legal education might not be the first
stake and concern for their home state and
S. Richardson School of Law is in a sense
thing that pops into your head when thinking
region. However, students are accepted from
student and culturally oriented, meaning
of Hawaii, but the University of Hawaii at
all over the US mainland, as well as Asia and
there are support groups and organizations
Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law
the Pacific. So if you don’t want to be study-
that promote the native culture and interests
deserves recognition for its unique legal
ing for the bar in Minnesota in the middle of
of Hawaiians as well as those from Asia and
education.
a snow storm, then make Hawaii your top
the Pacific.
students and faculty.
choice, as there’s a chance you’ll get in. The Ahahui O Hawaii is an organization of
The University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law distinguishes itself
Tuition and fees in general are reasonable.
Native Hawaiian students. Members of this
in several ways. The William S. Richardson
Hawaii residents will pay approximately
organization are interested in issues affect-
School of Law, established in 1973, is one
$5,000 per semester, while non-residents
ing the Native Hawaiian community as well
of the newer law schools in the country.
will pay about $8,000 per semester. Although
as graduates of the School of Law. The Hui
Although the school is one of the small-
the cost of living in Hawaii is high, it is gener-
helps members complete their legal educa-
est law schools in the country, with about
ally not much higher than in such U.S. cities
tion through academic assistance, scholar-
20 faculty and 320 students, this allows for
as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York or
ship awards and moral support. In particular,
close and frequent interaction among faculty
Washington, DC. And you don’t get the lush
members orient new students to the law
and students. The school specializes in
surroundings in those congested cities.
school experience, hold fund-raising and
Pacific-Asian legal studies, ocean law stud-
cultural events, sponsor legal forums, share
ies, and environmental studies - areas of law
As the school focuses on Hawaii, its com-
study aids, and provide a link with the Na-
that aren’t developed in other schools. And
munities and residents, the school’s place-
tive Hawaiian Bar Association. The Hui also
lastly, it is the only law school in Hawaii. So
ment efforts are focused on the Hawaii legal
strives to educate the law school and com-
for all you islanders who don’t want to leave
market, where the school’s graduates enjoy
munity about legal issues impacting Native
paradise but do want to practice law, then
tremendous success. Between 90-95% of
Hawaiians and Hawaii, including traditional
the University of Hawaii at Manoa William S.
recent graduating classes found employ-
and customary rights, sovereignty, and cur-
Richardson School of Law is the place to go.
ment within six months of graduation. This
rent cases and legislation. In short, the Hui is
figure is remarkably high when compared to
a support and informational organization.
Because this is the only law school in the
national statistics.
state of Hawaii, admission preference is
The Pacific-Asian Legal Studies Organiza-
given to those who are currently residents
The law library can be considered a commu-
tion (PALSO) is committed to developing an
and to those non-residents who have strong
nity library, as both undergraduate and law
understanding of Pacific-Asian legal sys-
ties to Hawaii or who have backgrounds and
students, faculty, members of the bar, and
tems. The organization sponsors a series of
interests relevant to the ocean, the environ-
the public have access to the collection of
lectures by speakers from the local bar and
ment or the Pacific Asian region. The reason
285,000 volumes and microform equivalents.
academic community as well as from Pacific
for this is the school’s philosophy and focus.
The law library is supplemented by auto-
Rim countries and the mainland.
The area of law taught here seeks to serve
mated legal research systems that provide
the Hawaiian community, as well as Pacific-
the latest in legal research technology to law
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The Pacific Islands Legal Studies Associa-
continued on back
LAW SCHOOL PROFILE
tion (PILSA) can be described as an advocacy group. PILSA aims to promote awareness and discussion of the legal aspects of political, social, environmental and economic problems of the island nations of the Pacific. It also seeks to affirm the Pacific’s distinct geopolitical identity with its own unique perspectives. PILSA also aims to assist in the recruitment, admission, and retention of students of Pacific Islands descent. When first looking at law schools, the geographic location of the University of Hawaii at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law might seem like the only thing going for it, when compared to the behemoths of law schools on the US mainland. Without a doubt, Hawaii is beautiful. But the school’s particular program, one that aims to help surrounding communities and foster education of its people, is the real reason one should attend the school. Creating identity and promoting success by legal means for a distinct people is the strength of the University of Hawaii at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law.
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