Family Court Volunteer Opportunities
Kids First – Children First – Children in Transition
Kids First is an education program for families going through divorce. It is designed to help parents understand the effects of separation and divorce on their children and to help parents and children cope with the changes in their families. Kids First needs caring and reliable people to facilitate children’s groups. Volunteers provide the children and teens with the opportunity to express their feelings about the separation through participating in games, role playing, and doing mock trials in the courtroom. Facilitators must be good communicators, have experience working with children (ages 6 to 17) and be able to volunteer for two hours during one evening each month. If you are interested in becoming a Kids First facilitator, please contact one of the Judiciary employees listed below:
Contact Information
First Circuit (Oahu)Bernadette Wong, Supervisor Address Kids First Program
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Third Circuit (Hawaii Island)Wendy Terada, Program Services Branch Administrator Main line: 808-322-8726 Address Children in Transition (Hilo)
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Second Circuit (Maui County)Meridith Russell, JCFS Administrator Address Kids First Program
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Fifth Circuit (Kauai)Main line: 808-482-2570 Address Special Services Division
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Project Visitation
Project Visitation is a volunteer-based program that helps to maintain the relationship between siblings who are living in separate foster homes by bringing them together for monthly visitations. Social workers refer cases of separated foster siblings to the program. Volunteers usually give 6 to 8 hours a month to schedule visits, transport the siblings, and supervise the visits. For more information, visit the Project Visitation Website or contact:
801 South King St.
Phone: 808-521-9531
Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program
Formerly known as the Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem Program, the CASA Program is comprised of trained volunteers who are appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in a child abuse or neglect case in and out of court. CASA volunteers must be at least 20 years old and able to spend between 4 and 25 hours a month – serve as fact-finders, advocates, and monitors for children in need. The Judiciary provides free training and staff support for all volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, please contact the persons listed below.
- Oʻahu – Emily Kauwe 808-954-8125
- Hawaiʻi (Hilo) – Jamie Bell-Ka`aihue 808-961-7672
- Hawaiʻi (Kona) -Wendy Opiopio 808-443-2105
- Maui – Kari Wakakuwa 808-244-2729
- Kauaʻi – Marilyn Hasegawa 808-482-2350