The University of Hawaiʻi is hosting two events on March 31, 2025, to empower UH students, faculty, staff and community members with essential knowledge about their rights and responsibilities, particularly in today’s rapidly changing political landscape. These events will offer valuable resources, foster dialogue and help create a more engaged community.
‘Know Your Rights’ immigration law webinar
“Know Your Rights: A Practical Guide to Constitutional Rights and Immigration Enforcement,” is a free webinar from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The event aims to ensure that individuals understand their rights and obligations should they encounter U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other law enforcement officials.
The session will provide guidance on navigating interactions during home raids, street stops and encounters at school or the workplace. Hear from a panel of professionals, including:
- Minda Yamaga, assistant federal defender, District of Hawaiʻi Office of the Federal Public Defender
- Stella Shimamoto, associate attorney, immigration, Hirota & Associates; past chair, Hawaiʻi Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Sherry Nohara, managing attorney, Noha Immigration Law; former senior attorney, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement; chair, Hawaiʻi Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Esther Sungeun Yoo, assistant professor of law and director, Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, Clinical Law Program, William S. Richardson School of Law
Participants will receive multilingual materials to help them confidently handle situations with law enforcement. This event is co-sponsored by the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic at the UH Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law and the Office of Compliance, EEO, and Title IX at the UH Community Colleges.
Register in advance for the Zoom webinar.
Students’ conversation on speech, law and pilina
UH Mānoa Pilina Support Team invites UH community members to attend “From Fear to Empowerment: A Student-Focused Conversation on Speech, Law, and Pilina” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Services, Room 412. This in-person event—focused on free speech, university rules, and responsible communication—aims to move from fear to empowerment through pilina (connection), in light of the current national political climate.
Presenters include: Lauren Robel, lecturer in law, William S. Richardson School of Law, and Camaron Miyamoto, director of the LGBTQ+ Center at UH Mānoa. Participants will engage in an interactive session to share reactions to hypothetical scenarios.
Light refreshments will be provided. Register online to attend event.
