Tidbits and Thoughts . . .
Legal Aid's Online News
January 6, 2015
Wishing you all the best in 2016!
"Costruiamo una societa che si basa sul equita"(Italian)
"Building a Just Society"
Now on to Tidbits!
Legal Aid helps visually impaired man regain his benefits
Kasmir Anthonio was terminated from state general assistance (GA) benefits because the Department of Human Services (DHS) determined that he was no longer disabled. Anthonio suffers from a severe visual impairment, which was caused by tree branches hitting his eyes many years ago. Due to his impairment, he must use a magnifying glass to read, and he experiences pain and burning in his eyes throughout the day.
Despite his impairment and struggling with the English language, Anthonio was able to obtain part time employment as a dishwasher through the state vocational rehabilitation service. After accepting his case, Legal Aid obtained Anthonio's medical records and a letter from his treating doctor. Legal Aid also represented Anthonio at his appeals hearing. Fortunately, following the hearing, the DHS medical board restored Anthonio's GA benefits.
With the help of Leeward office staff attorney Maile Shimabukuro, Anthonio was able to regain his much needed general assistance benefits.
Jodi Shin Yamamoto (Legal Aid Board President), M. Nalani Fujimori Kaina (Executive Director), and Howard Luke (Legal Aid Board Member) present the plaque to Mark Murakami and Arsima Muller, accepting on behalf of Carlsmith Ball LLP.
The Legal Aid Society of Hawai´i extends its gratitude to Carlsmith Ball LLP for being a member of the Leadership Circle and for its committment to our shared vision of
"Building a Just Society."
Legal Aid thanks the following individuals and organizations for their support
Elijah Yip
Miriam Loui
Trecker & Fritz
Frank Ury
Danielle Beaver
Lincoln Ashida
Legal Aid partners with Group 70 International for Honolulu blood drive
If you are near the Honolulu Legal Aid office on
Thursday, Janaury 14 please consider donating blood. The Blood Bank of Hawaii will be outside our Bethel office from 9:00 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Legal Aid's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provides free tax assistance to income qualified individuals. Tax services are available first come first served every Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm beginning
Saturday February 6th.
Legal Aid also provides tax appointments during the week beginning Monday, February 1st. Appointments are available 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
There are two (2) ways to schedule a tax appointment:
CallLegal Aid's VITA number at 527-8050 and leave your information. A volunteer will call you back to schedule an appointment during the week
A volunteer from the Bank of Hawaii helps a client with his taxes.
All tax services are provided at Legal Aid's Honolulu office at 924 Bethel Street, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Legal Aid welcomes new staff members
Legal Aid welcomes Kara Doles, Britta Johnson, and Ana Namoa to the Honolulu office.
Kara Doles is a former Legal Aid AmeriCorps member and will be working as the Project Coordinator on the new Hawaii Legal Services Portal project. The Portal will enhance low income persons' access to legal information and provide appropriate referrals to partner organizations.
Britta Johnson joins the asset protection team as an Outreach Specialist, Fair Housing Investigations Coordinator. Britta is a recent graduate of the University of New Haven in Connecticut.
Ana Namoa joins the Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center as an Outreach Specialist with a focus on providing legal services to various Pacific Islander communities.
