President Jeffrey Portnoy called the meeting to order at 11:40 a.m. with a quorum present.  The following persons were present for all or part of the meeting:

Officers Present

Jeffrey Portnoy

Jeffrey Sia

Robert Godbey

Hugh Jones  (by phone)

 

Directors Present

Nathan Aipa

Alfred Castillo  (by phone)

Steven Chow

Jackie Erickson

Gregory Frey

Louise Ing   (by phone)

Ronette Kawakami

Janice Kim   (by phone)

Carol Kitaoka

Steven Songstad

Trudy Burns Stone

Suzanne Terada

Jodi Kimura Yi

Nichole Shimamoto

 

Board Members Absent

Roxann Bulman  

Geraldine Hasegawa

Others Present

Catherine Levinson

 

HSBA Staff

Lyn Flanigan

Iris Ito

Debra White

a.   Rule 17 Committee – President Portnoy reported that it appears that admissions and discipline will remain outside of HSBA’s functions, however, discipline will continue to be discussed.  He also noted that Rule 17 will likely be amended to reflect the reality that HSBA does not carry out any functions with respect to admissions and discipline.

 

b.   Strategic Planning Committee – Vice President Jeff Sia reported that the September 15^th meeting was well-attended and very productive, and that Judge Riki Amano will prepare a report on the discussions at that meeting.

 

c.   Japan Delegation – delegation ready to leave beginning this weekend.

 

d.   Hawaii Idle Lawyers Dinner - President Portnoy urged all board members to attend and sell tickets.  The goal is to sell 500 tickets.

 

e.   Kona Courthouse Committee – meeting with Governor Lingle this afternoon.

 

f.    Hawaii Justice Foundation – According to HSBA Board Policy, the Vice President/President-elect is to serve as liaison to HJF.  Therefore, Mr. Sia will be the HSBA liaison for the remainder of 2007.

 

g.   Liaison Committee with Disciplinary Board – President Portnoy announced that he, Steve Chow, and Louise Ing will serve on the Committee along with DB representatives Judge Clifford Nakea, Blake Okimoto, and Corlis Chang.  Executive Director Lyn Flanigan will inform the Disciplinary Board and schedule a meeting for the Liaison Committee.

 

h.   DLNR Task Force on Bureau of Conveyances – Nancy Grekin appointed as HSBA representative. 

Lease Premises - Ms. Flanigan will form a task force to review commercial leasing opportunities.  Director Trudy Burns Stone volunteered to serve on the task force.  

 

a. 2008 HSBA Budget   ( see agenda item 7.a. and Exhibit B) - Treasurer Robert Godbey reported that the 2008 budget reflects a deficit of over $200,000, therefore an increase in HSBA dues is being proposed to cover this deficit.  He explained that over the past several years, HSBA has been subsidizing operational expenses out of reserves, thereby reducing excess reserves.  HSBA is now at the level of reserves in line with the reserve policy (30-40% of budget), so future operating expenses need to be funded by revenue. 

 

Action taken:    After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to adopt the Executive Committee’s recommendation to approve the proposed 2008 budget which includes an increase in dues for all members in an equal amount.  Ms. Flanigan reported that $26,000 needs to be added to the deficit amount due to previously anticipated revenue from the ODC, AAP, and LFCP for fee collection, which will now not be realized.  The original motion was amended to add this amount bringing the total amount needed to balance the budget to $252,710.  This equates to approximately $37 increase in dues for all members.  The motion was carried by a vote of 14 to 3.  

 

b. Proposed Amendments to Chapter 8 of HSBA Board Policy Manual  ( see agenda item 7.b. and Exhibit C)  

 

Action taken:    A motion was made, seconded, and carried without opposition to approve the Executive Committee’s recommendation to adopt amendments to Chapter 8 of the Board Policy Manual regarding financial matters.

 

c. HSBA Annual Awards  ( see agenda item 7.c.)  

 

Action taken:  A motion was made, seconded, and carried without opposition to approve the recommendation of the Executive and Awards Committees to present the following awards at the a nnual meeting luncheon: 

• C. Frederick Schutte Award to Frank Boas;
• ’Ikena Award to Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement;
• Ki’e Ki’e Award to Mitch D’Olier, Jennifer Sabas, Linda Chow, Kathleen Kelly;
• Golden Gavel Award to Chief Judge George Masuoka (retired) and Ernest Barreira;
• President’s Award to Hugh Jones (Director Hugh Jones abstained from voting on this item).

d. ACLU Solicitation  ( see agenda 7.d. and Exhibit E) – President Portnoy raised the issue for discussion without action or recommendation.

 

*  e. Proposed 2008 Budgets of Other Entities – The proposed 2008 budgets of the Attorneys and Judges Assistance Program Board, Disciplinary Board, and Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection were reviewed and discussed.

 

Action taken:  After discussion, a motion was made, seconded, and carried without opposition to inform the to inform the Trustees of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection that HSBA opposes the reinstatement of the LFCP fee due to its large reserve balance and to inform the Disciplinary Board and the Board of the Attorneys and Judges Assistance Program that HSBA has no comment on their proposed 2008 budgets. 

 

*  f.  Proposed Amendment to Per Diem Policy – President Portnoy raised, for discussion at a future board meeting, the issue of proposing an amendment to increase the current $50 per diem policy.