COMMITTEE ON LABOR & PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson, Chair Rep. Stacelynn K.M. Eli, Vice Chair Rep. Linda Ichiyama Rep. Sean Quinlan Rep. Lisa Kitagawa Rep. Kyle T. Yamashita Rep. Angus L.K. McKelvey Rep. Lauren Matsumoto NOTICE OF HEARING DATE: Thursday, January 31, 2019 TIME: 9:30am PLACE: Conference Room 309 State Capitol 415...
Read MoreBlog
Attorneys to Speak on Employee Discipline at SHRM Session - February 20, 2019
Employee discipline is a complex and often contentious subject. Employers who do not abide by sound legal principles can find themselves exposed to liability. Attorneys Joseph A. Ernst and Kendra K. Kawai, both directors in the labor and employment department at Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek, Attorneys at Law, bring a legal perspective to...
Read MoreIn Memoriam: Ernest C. “Cary” Moore III
With great sorrow, we say goodbye to Ernest C. “Cary” Moore III, an incredible attorney, leader, mentor, and friend who leaves a lasting legacy at our firm. Cary was born and raised in Hawaii. He first attended Hawaii Preparatory Academy and went on to earn a B.A. at Dartmouth College and a J.D. at Southern...
Read MoreAttorney Ron Heller Interviewed On ThinkTech Hawaii
Attorney Ron Heller, a Director at our firm, was recently interviewed for ThinkTech Hawaii’s State of Clean Energy series. A top Hawaii tax attorney, Director Heller discusses the Tax Appeal by Kaheawa Wind against the County of Maui. The case centers on the County’s attempt to treat wind turbines as real property, even though longstanding...
Read MoreHawaii Employment Law Cases June 17, 2018 to September 29, 2018
U.S. Supreme Court Deduction of agency fee from public employee’s pay requires affirmative consent. Neither an agency fee nor any other payment to a union may be deducted from a non-member public employee’s wages, nor may any other attempt be made to collect such a payment, unless the public employee affirmatively consents to pay. Janus...
Read MoreHawaii Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Torkildson Client
On October 30, 2018, the Hawaii Supreme Court issued a decision in support of the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (“TMT”) atop Maunakea – a telescope that would be the largest in the Northern Hemisphere. The TMT project had been in limbo for years. In 2014, protestors broke up a groundbreaking ceremony and blockaded...
Read MoreAttorney John Knorek Interviewed On ThinkTech Hawaii
Attorney John Knorek, a Director at our firm, was recently interviewed for ThinkTech Hawaii’s Condo Insider series. A top Hawaii labor and employment law attorney, Director Knorek discusses new laws relating to wages and employee speech rights in the workplace. Specifically, he breaks down what employers, including condo associations, can and cannot ask applicants about...
Read MoreAttorneys to Speak at 2018 Human Resource Management Conference - October 12, 2018
Attorneys Joseph A. Ernst and Kendra K. Kawai will be among the event speakers at the annual SHRM Hawaii Conference, hosted by the Society for Human Resource Management Hawaii Chapter. The conference’s theme is “Leading Workplace Excellence.” Attorneys Ernst and Kawai will present on Perfecting Attendance: What Policies and Law Can Tell Us About Driving...
Read MoreAttorney Robert S. Katz Interviewed On ThinkTech Hawaii
Attorney Robert S. Katz, a Director at our firm, was recently interviewed for ThinkTech Hawaii’s HSBA Living Legend Lawyers series. A practicing attorney in Hawaii for over 40 years, Director Katz described how he has been able to balance building an enormously successful law practice with enjoying family, friends and personal fulfillment. Click here to...
Read MoreHawaii Employment Law Cases April 22, 2018 to June 16, 2018 – Jeffrey S. Harris
U.S. Supreme Court Arbitration agreements barring class claims may be enforceable. Employees and employers may agree any disputes between them will be resolved though one-on-one arbitration. Employees need not always be allowed to bring their claims in class or collective actions, even though they agreed otherwise with their employers. Agreements to arbitrate may be invalidated...
Read More