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Judiciary Language Assistance Policy

Hawaiʻi Judiciary Reaffirms Commitment to Providing Language Access to the Courts

HONOLULU – On March 1, 2025, a presidential Executive Order designated for the first time English as the official national language. The Executive Order rescinds a former mandate that required federal agencies and recipients of federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.

The Executive Order does not impact Hawaiʻi’s recognition of both English and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi as the state’s official languages. The Judiciary reaffirms its policy of allowing people to communicate with the courts in either language.

“Respect for ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is a core value of the Hawaiʻi Judiciary,” Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald said.

Additionally, one in ten Hawaiʻi residents have limited English proficiency. Without recognizing and accommodating these language needs, a great number of people appearing before the courts or receiving Judiciary services would not be able to meaningfully participate in the justice system.

The Judiciary has dedicated many resources to enhancing language access services for court users. “We are proud to provide such services, including court interpreters for all parties, witnesses, and persons with a substantial interest in a case and language services at all points of contact with the Judiciary, whether in person or over the telephone,” Recktenwald said.

“We assure court users, interpreters, and the public that the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary remains fully committed to providing court interpreters to persons with limited English proficiency or speech or hearing impairments,” added Recktenwald. “We continue to see this as a critical service to assure meaningful access to the courts.”

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A Message From Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald:

The Judiciary has long recognized that many people who come before the courts, or receive Judiciary services, may not be able to meaningfully participate due to limited English proficiency (LEP) or speech or hearing impairments. We have dedicated many resources over the last several years to enhancing language access services for LEP court customers. We are proud of the accomplishments we have achieved in providing such services — including providing court interpreters for all defendants, parties, and witnesses in all case types and providing language services at all points of contact with the Judiciary, including over-the-counter and over-the-telephone encounters. Much of our success is attributable to the time and care Judiciary employees and volunteers provide LEP customers. The Judiciary’s commitment to serving LEP customers is set forth in the following policy:

Language Access Plan, FY 2022-2024
- Attachments

Judiciary Policy #12

The Hawai`i State Judiciary is committed to providing meaningful access to court processes and services to persons with limited English proficiency. In all case types, the Judiciary shall reasonably provide, free of charge, and in a timely manner, competent court interpreters for parties, witnesses and individuals with a substantial interest in a case. It shall also provide language assistance services at points of contact with the Judiciary, including over-the-counter and over-the-telephone encounters for all Judiciary-related business. The Judiciary shall notify the public of the Judiciary’s language assistance commitment.

Language Access Services

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

The following materials are available on a trial basis. Additional materials and additional languages may follow in the future within the limits of Court resources in the interest of enhancing public access. For more information about language services, contact:

Office on Equality and Access to the Courts
Hawaii State Judiciary
426 Queen Street, Room B17
Honolulu, HI 96813-2914
Phone: (808) 539-4860
Facsimile: (808) 539-4203
E-mail: OEAC@courts.hawaii.gov

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What You Need to Know

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Language ID Card
Print this card and show it to Judiciary staff when you come to court.