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# Hawaii Women's Legal Foundation

Supporting women and children in Hawaii since 1982

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.hwlf.org/) - Improving the Lives of Women and Children in Need. DONATE Promoting the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession. DONATE Welcome Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation works to empower and preserve the legal rights of women and children in Hawai`i and to advance women in the legal profession. HWLF (formerly the Hawaii Women Lawyers Foundation)
- [Fundraiser](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/) - The HWLF Fundraiser is the year’s highlight event, featuring a lively program where judges and attorneys perform in intricate costumes. Proceeds from the Fundraiser help HWLF fund grants for projects and programs supporting women and children in need, as well as advancing women in the legal profession. THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS The 34th Annual Fundraiser
- [Grants](https://www.hwlf.org/grants/) - Thanks to community supporters and business leaders, over the last 30 years, HWLF has provided grants to numerous local nonprofits and organizations that are aligned with HWLF’s mission to support the rights of and enhance the welfare of women and children across the State. Over the years, HWLF has grown its endowment through its fundraising
- [Grant Application](https://www.hwlf.org/grants/grant-application/) - Applications HWLF has two windows of opportunity for grant applications throughout the calendar year. In general, grants are considered in May and November. Dates can vary. HWLF typically awards “micro” grants in amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000. HWLF prefers not to award funds for operational expenses, and instead prefers to make awards on a
- [Board of Directors](https://www.hwlf.org/about/board-of-directors/) - 2025 Board of Directors PRESIDENTTricia Nakamatsu VICE PRESIDENTCourtney Kajikawa TREASURERErika Strawn SECRETARYMichi Momose Margery BronsterDianne Winter BrookinsCharlotte Carter-YamauchiKaren CharHonorable Richard CliftonChristine DaleidenJacquelyn EsserChantel FonsecaRhonda GriswoldHonorable Jill HasegawaLori HiraokaHonorable Erika IrelandDaniel KawamotoMelissa LambertBernice LittmanAimee LumDyan MitsuyamaKelcie NagataZale OkazakiHonorable Shellie Park-HoapiliAlana Peacott-RicardosMaegan RugglesLauren SharkeyHonorable Kristine Yoo [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner] [/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row] 2025 Board of Directors PRESIDENTTricia Nakamatsu VICE PRESIDENTCourtney Kajikawa
- [](https://www.hwlf.org/donate/) - Donating is Now Easy with PayPal or by Mailing a Check. Donate by Check Checks can be made to Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation and sent to: Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation P.O. Box 2576 Honolulu, HI 96803 Donate with PayPal Donations can now be made online through our secure PayPal page by simply clicking the button
- [2016](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2016fundraiser/) - Shame of Thrones: Election is Coming Saturday, October 1, 2016 5:30 p.m. at the Tapa Ballroom at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Our honorary co-chairs, Lance Mizumoto (Central Pacific Bank) and Emily Reber Porter (The MacNaughton Group), held an epic adventure into a world of medieval fantasy as we celebrated HWLF's 26th Annual Fundraiser. This year's theme
- [Grants History](https://www.hwlf.org/grants/grants-history/) - Recent Grants Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation is pleased to announce that it awarded grants to several nonprofit organizations as part of its 2023-2024 grant year. Awardees were: Adult Friends for Youth Aloha Medical Mission Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawai‘i Helping Hands Hawai‘i Ho‘ōla Na Pua Institute of Violence, Abuse and Trauma Island of
- [Past Fundraisers](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/) - HWLF has held annual fundraisers since 1991. The fundraiser has evolved over time into a gala event, including silent auctions, raffles, song, dance, and general merriment. HWLF is proud of its honorary chairs and acknowledges their considerable effort in making each fundraiser a success. Past Honorary Co-Chairs: The Honorable Mazie Hirono The Honorable Patsy Mink
- [2024](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2024-2/)
- [2023](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2023-2/) - 31st Annual Gala Fundraiser, “Masked”Saturday, October 28, 20235:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Tapa Ballroom. Program can be viewed here.
- [News and Press Releases](https://www.hwlf.org/events/news-and-press-releases/) - Press Releases 02.15.24 Press Release – 2024 Rhoda Lewis Awardee 09.24.23 Press Release – HWLF 2023 Fall Gala, Masked 01.23.23 Press Release – 2023 Rhoda Lewis Awardee 02.10.22 Press Release – 2022 Rhoda Lewis Awardees 10.05.21 HWLF Grant Awards Spring 2021 & Call for Fall Applicants 02.17.21 Press Release – Cathy Betts 2021 Rhoda Lewis
- [2024 Annual Meeting](https://www.hwlf.org/events/annual-meeting/2024-annual-meeting/) - (HONOLULU, Hawai‘i) – On January 26, 2024, Hawai‘i Women’s Legal Foundation (HWLF) awarded Thalia Murphy with the 2024 Rhoda Lewis Award in recognition of her extraordinary contribution and commitment to public service. Each year, HWLF presents the Rhoda Lewis Award, named after the first female member of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court, to a woman attorney
- [The Rhoda Lewis Award](https://www.hwlf.org/about/the-rhoda-lewis-award/) - Recognizing Outstanding Public Service Each year, HWLF presents the Rhoda Lewis Award, named after the first female member of the Hawaii Supreme Court, to a woman attorney who has devoted her career to public service. Consistent with the spirit of the award, the recipient should be one who has toiled in the trenches; one of
- [Events](https://www.hwlf.org/events/) - The Annual Meeting HWLF kicks off each year with its Annual Meeting. In addition to eating delicious food and enjoying each other’s company, the Annual Meeting provides a unique opportunity for the legal community to gather and mingle in a social setting — it’s a fun time for the HWLF board (which includes newly elected
- [About](https://www.hwlf.org/about/) - History The Hawaiʻi Women’s Legal Foundation (HWLF), formerly known as the Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers Foundation, was established in 1982. The women who founded HWLF’s sister organization, Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers (HWL), saw the need to create an entity that would share many of the same goals and ideals as HWL but that could raise funds as a
- [Previous Presidents](https://www.hwlf.org/about/previous-presidents/) - Previous Presidents 2023: Jacquelyn Esser2022: Jacquelyn Esser2021: Lauren Sharkey2020: Lauren Sharkey2019: Melissa Lambert2018: Melissa Lambert2017: Jill Hasegawa2016: Jill Hasegawa2015: Dianne Winter Brookins2014: Dianne Winter Brookins2013: Donna Leong2012: Donna Leong2011: Rhonda Griswold2010: Rhonda Griswold2009: Gail Cosgrove2008: Gail Cosgrove2007: Joy Miyasaki2006: Joy Miyasaki2005: Alice Hall2004: Charla Ota2003: Irene Anzai2002: Irene Anzai2001: Susan Jaworowski2000: Cori Lau1999: Alicia Leonhard1998:
- [Gala Silent Auction Donation Form](https://www.hwlf.org/gala-silent-auction-donation-form/) - Please fill out one form per auction item.
- [2023 Annual Meeting](https://www.hwlf.org/events/annual-meeting/2023-annual-meeting/) - On January 21, 2023, Hawai‘i Women’s Legal Foundation (HWLF) awarded Cynthia M. Johiro with the 2023 Rhoda Lewis Award in recognition of her extraordinary contribution and commitment to public service. Each year, HWLF presents the Rhoda Lewis Award, named after the first female member of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court, to a woman attorney who has
- [Annual Meeting](https://www.hwlf.org/events/annual-meeting/) - The annual meeting of HWLF members is held early each year, generally in January. The new officers for the year are installed and recipients of special awards are invited to attend with their families to participate in a special awards ceremony. For more information and a brief summary of previous Annual Meetings, please click on
- [2022](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2022-2/) - 30th Annual Gala Fundraiser, "Fantasea"Saturday, October 1, 20225:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki Ballroom Program can be viewed here.
- [Past Sponsors](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/sponsors/) - 2022 Sponsors
- [2019 Fundraiser](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2022-2/2019-fundraiser/) - 29TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISER, SWASHBUCKLER SOIREE Saturday, October 12, 2019 The Sheraton Waikiki Ballroom We honor Sherry Broder, Esq. for her contributions to the legal community in an epic adventure into a world of pirates as we celebrate HWLF’s 29th Annual Fundraiser. This year’s theme is one to revel for! Program can be found here. TABLE
- [Silent Auction & Reservation Form](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/silent-auction-reservation-form/) - Silent-Auction-Donation-FORM-2022-WORD-FILLABLE
- [2017](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2017fundraiser/) - International Intrigue at the Embassy Ball: Get Smart with Jane Bond Saturday, September 23, 2017 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Tapa Ballroom Our honorary co-chairs, Sherry Menor-McNamara (President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii) and Crystal Rose (Partner, Bays Lung Rose & Holma), held a night of wonder and mystery as we solved the
- [2017 Fundraiser](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2017fundraiser/2017-fundraiser/) - 2017 Sponsors Aimee & Ron Lum Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing LLP Ashford & Wriston LLP Bays Lung Rose & Holma Bernice Littman Calvin E. Young Carla Nishimoto Carlsmith Ball LLP Case Lombardi & Pettit Cronin Fried Sekiya Kekina & Fairbanks Dean and Denice Nakamura Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel HEI Jeff and Rhonda
- [Mother's Day Project](https://www.hwlf.org/events/mothers-day-project/) - The Mothers’ Day Project (co-sponsored with Hawaii Women Lawyers) HISTORY The Mothers’ Day Project began in 2001 when lawyer Elizabeth Kent came up with the idea of collecting and repurposing unused “gift with purchase” cosmetics from women lawyers and packaging them into beautiful gifts that could be given to children in domestic violence shelters, who
- [Donations](https://www.hwlf.org/donations/) - When you donate to the Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation (HWLF), you are supporting HWLF’s grant awards to fund projects and programs that Improve Women And Children’s Access To The Legal System Reduce Child Abuse Reduce Domestic Violence Reduce Sexual Abuse Increase Financial Independence Of Women, and Improve The Health, Education and Welfare Of Women and
- [Contact](https://www.hwlf.org/contact/) - The Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation is dedicated to serve as a granting agency to fund organizations which serve women and children in Hawaii who are in need of legal and other help. Email hawaiiwomenslegalfoundation@gmail.com Address P.O. Box 2576 Honolulu, HI 96803 Legal Assistance If you are seeking personal legal advice, we as a grant-funding agency
- [2021 Annual Meeting](https://www.hwlf.org/events/annual-meeting/2021-annual-meeting/) - The Hawai‘i Women’s Legal Foundation (HWLF) has awarded Cathy Betts with the 2021 Rhoda Lewis Award in recognition of her extraordinary contribution and commitment to public service. Each year, HWLF presents the Rhoda Lewis Award, named after the first female member of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court, to a woman attorney who has devoted her career
- [2020 Annual Meeting](https://www.hwlf.org/events/annual-meeting/2020-annual-meeting/) - Friday, January 31, 2020 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM Congratulations to Angela J. Lovitt, Deputy Director/AmeriCorps Program Director, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii!
- [2018 Annual Meeting](https://www.hwlf.org/events/annual-meeting/2018-annual-meeting/) - Congratulations to Jill Baldemor, Executive Director of Teach for America (Hawaii), for receiving the 2018 Rhoda Lewis Award!
- [2017 Annual Meeting](https://www.hwlf.org/events/annual-meeting/2017-annual-meeting/) - Congratulations to Michelle D. Acosta of Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii for receiving the 2017 Rhoda Lewis Award!
- [2012 Annual Meeting](https://www.hwlf.org/events/annual-meeting/2012-annual-meeting/) - The 2012 Annual Meeting of the members of HWLF was held at the beautiful home of Karen Char and Malcolm Tom on January 13, 2012. Rhonda Griswold thanked the members for their support over her two years as President and awarded HWLF’s Rhoda Lewis Award to Dina Shek, a 2006 graduate of the William S.
- [2019 Annual Meeting](https://www.hwlf.org/events/annual-meeting/2019-annual-meeting/) - Friday, February 22, 2019 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM Congratulations to our 2019 Rhoda Lewis Award Winner, Loretta A. Sheehan, Attorney, Davis Levin Livingston Attorneys!
- [Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning](https://www.hwlf.org/donate/wills-trusts-estate-planning/) - Estate Planning/Giving
- [2019 Sponsors](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/sponsors/2019-sponsors/) - $10,000 CAPTAIN SPONSOR $7,500 QUARTERMASTER SPONSOR $5,000 SAILING MASTER SPONSOR Bronster Fujichaku Robbins ALC Jeff and Rhonda Griswold HEI & Hawaiian Electric $3,000 BOATSWAIN SPONSOR American Savings Bank Ashford & Wriston Carlsmith Ball LLP Case Lombardi & Pettit Chun Kerr LLP Mark & Gail Cosgrove Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks Dentons US LLP First
- [2018](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2018fundraiser/) - Saturday, October 6, 2018 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Tapa Ballroom Our honorary co-chairs, Shelly Tadaki Cramer (Vice President General Manager, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hawaii) and Gladys Quinto Marrone (Chief Executive Officer, Building Industry Association - Hawaii), held a night of rock and roll as we sang our heart out for the HWLF’s 28th
- [2018 Sponsors](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/sponsors/2018-sponsors/) - $10,000 DIAMOND ALBUM SPONSOR $7,500 PLATINUM ALBUM SPONSOR $5,000 GOLD ALBUM SPONSOR Carlsmith Ball LLP Bronster Fujichaku Robbins ALC $3,500 GOLD SONG SPONSOR Cronin Fried Sekiya Kekina & Fairbanks Dean & Denice Nakamura First Hawaiian Bank iQ 360 Jeff & Rhonda Griswold John Child & Company, Inc. Joy Miyasaki & John Oki Leavitt, Yamane and
- [2017 Sponsors](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/sponsors/2017-2/) - $10,000 HEAD OF $TATE $7,500 AMBA$$ADOR $5,000 CABINET MINI$TER Bays Lung Rose & Holma Carlsmith Ball LLP The MacNaughton Group $3,500 CHARGE D'AFFAIRE$ Carla Nishimoto HEI Jeff and Rhonda Griswold John Child and Company, Inc. Miyasaki LLC $2,500 $ECRET AGENT Aimee & Ron Lum Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing LLP Ashford & Wriston LLP Bernice
- [2012](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2012fundraiser/) - Super Hero Smash! KAPOW! Thank you to all our heroes who participated in the 2012 fundraiser, Super Hero Smash! You made it a smashing success! And our program performers definitely saved the world! BAM!
- [2015](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2015fundraiser/) - BOOTS & BLING: A Country Western Soiree Your boots were made for walkin'...and they danced right on over for the amazingly glamorous evening of Country Western grandeur! Attendees shined up those boots, buckles, and bling and came dressed to impress! We enjoyed the amazing talents of legal professionals and community leaders in a show complete
- [2014](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2014fundraiser/) - Hollywood: A Night of Stars Thank you for your support at "Hollywood: A Night of Stars!" You were scintillating! There is FUN in FUNdraising! Legal eagles of all types--lawyers, judges, mayors--soared in song and dance! They were definitely our shining stars!
- [2013](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2013fundraiser/) - Back to the Future The 2013 Back to the Future Fundraiser was on Saturday, September 7, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in the Tapa Ballroom. Highlights: VIPs: The Mayors of Hawai`i Wine Reception & Silent Auction Elegant Dinner Fun Program Full of Surprises Dancing Schedule: 5:30 Wine Reception, Silent Auction, and Tickets for Prize Drawing
- [2011](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2011fundraiser/) - Hawai'i 5-OH! Honolulu's people of action, decked out in elegant Hawaiian attire, joined us for one of Hawai'i’s most talked-about charitable events, the Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation’s (HWLF) 21st annual fundraiser on Saturday, September 17, 2011, 5:30 p.m. at the Tapa Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Inspired by the cool glamour of Hawai'i’s premier
- [2010](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2010fundraiser/) - The Über Awards Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation hosted its 2010 Gala Fundraiser, “The Über Awards: Stepping onto the Red Carpet for Glory or Shame” on Saturday, October 9, 2010, at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel - Maui and Kaua’i Ballrooms. This annual fundraiser, renowned for its unique entertainment value, featured a wine reception and silent auction,
- [2009](https://www.hwlf.org/fundraiser/past-fundraisers/2009fundraiser/) - Mystery on the Orient Express Honorary Co-Chairs for the 2009 HWLF Fundraiser, “Mystery on the Orient Express,” were Chuck Sted of Hawaii Pacific Health and Patricia Uyehara Wong of Hawaiian Electrical Industries Inc. The elegant event was co-chaired by Rhonda Griswold and Donna Leong. Held on September 26, 2009 in the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Tapa