News and Events

The Search Advisory Committee at the University of Hawaiʻi has been selected and is currently searching for the next director of the Institute for Astronomy to be named and/or in place by fall 2020. Newton J. Chu, Director of the Hawaii Island office for Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek, Attorneys at Law, was named co-chair of...

Employment law is often changing and complex. It’s critical that employers stay up to date on new legal developments in order to avoid liability. 26th Annual Employment Law Seminar Attorneys from Torkildson Katz Hetherington Harris Knorek will present new information on employment law developments, as well as often-overlooked human resource trends. The event takes place...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...