HWL Annual Awards
Hawaii Women Lawyers is pleased to announce our 2024 Annual Awards recipients!
Outstanding Women Lawyer Award
Dean Camille Nelson
Outstanding Judicial Achievement Award
Judge Dyan Medeiros
Lifetime Achievement Award
Constance Lau
Distinguished Service Award
Leina'ala Ley, Joanna Zeigler, Isaac Moriwake & Kylie Wager-Cruz
President's Award
Twinkle Borge
Please join us in honoring the awardees at the
Hawaii Women Lawyers Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception:
Thursday, April 17th
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Eve at Ala Moana (Previously Vintage Cave)
(1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #1299, Honolulu, 96814)
Individual Tickets: $75.00
Government/Non-Profit Tickets: $50.00
*Due to the lounge style of the venue, tickets are open seating*
TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED HERE
One drink ticket per attendee included in ticket price. Heavy pupus and dessert will be served.
Doors to open at 5:00 p.m., with ceremony to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Hawaii Women Lawyers is pleased to announce our 2024 Annual Awards recipients!
Outstanding Women Lawyer Award
Dean Camille Nelson
Outstanding Judicial Achievement Award
Judge Dyan Medeiros
Lifetime Achievement Award
Constance Lau
Distinguished Service Award
Leina'ala Ley, Joanna Zeigler, Isaac Moriwake & Kylie Wager-Cruz
President's Award
Twinkle Borge
Please join us in honoring the awardees at the
Hawaii Women Lawyers Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception:
Thursday, April 17th
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Eve at Ala Moana (Previously Vintage Cave)
(1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #1299, Honolulu, 96814)
Individual Tickets: $75.00
Government/Non-Profit Tickets: $50.00
*Due to the lounge style of the venue, tickets are open seating*
TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED HERE
One drink ticket per attendee included in ticket price. Heavy pupus and dessert will be served.
Doors to open at 5:00 p.m., with ceremony to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Awardee Bios
Outstanding Women Lawyer Award
Dean Camille Nelson
Dean Camille Nelson brings a wealth of experience to her role. Prior to her appointment as Dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2020, she served as Dean of two law schools – American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., and Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts. She has also held faculty positions at several other law schools, including Hofstra University, Washington University, and Saint Louis University School of Law, where she was recognized as Professor of the Year and with a university Faculty Excellence Award. Over the last two decades, Dean Nelson has taught Criminal Law, Torts, and Criminal Procedure at Richardson Law as a visiting professor. Before entering academia, Dean Nelson was a litigator in Toronto and clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada.
Dean Nelson’s career has been highlighted by excellent teaching, impactful scholarship, and awards for her service and leadership, including the Paul Robeson Award from Columbia Law School's Black Law Students Association and with a Top Woman in Higher Education Award by Diverse magazine. She was also recently selected as a recipient of the 2025 Deborah L. Rhode Award, presented by the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).
Since her arrival at Richardson, Dean Nelson has initiated several innovative programs. These include the Island Leadership Lab, an immersive leadership experience grounded in a curriculum specifically designed to prepare the next generation of leaders for success; the Business Bootcamp, a program that equips law students with essential financial and business skills; and an Innovator in Residence program to bolster the technological fluency of the law school community. Additionally, Dean Nelson launched the Hawaiʻi Online JD program to expand access to legal education, including across neighboring islands and the larger Pacific Region. She has also been instrumental in enhancing support for student bar passage and increasing scholarships for Richardson Law students.
Outstanding Judicial Achievement Award
Judge Dyan Medeiros
Dyan M. Medeiros has served as the Senior Family Court Judge of the First Circuit and Deputy Chief Judge since September 30, 2024 (She was sworn in as a Circuit Court Judge of the First Circuit on September 27, 2024).
Prior to her appointment to the Circuit Court, Judge Medeiros served as a District Family Court Judge in the First Circuit from July 10, 2015 until September 27, 2024. During that time, Judge Medeiros served in all three divisions of the First Circuit Family Court: Domestic Division, Juvenile Division, and Special Division. She was the lead Judge of the Special Division from July 2019 through October 2020 and the lead Judge of the Domestic Division from January 24, 2022 until January 6, 2025. Judge Medeiros has also presided over the First Circuit’s Girls’ Court since July 2019.
Judge Medeiros received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Hawai‘i in 1993 and her law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law in 1996. Prior to being appointed to the bench, she was a family law attorney for 17 years, first as an associate attorney at Stirling & Kleintop (from May 1998 until September 2008) and then as a partner in Kleintop, Luria & Medeiros (from September 2008 until July 2015).
While in private practice, Judge Medeiros served as the Treasurer and later Chair of the Family Law Section of the Hawai‘i State Bar Association, served on various committees related to family law, served as a Volunteer Settlement Master, and gave numerous presentations in the area of family law. In 2001, she was awarded the Ki’e Ki’e Award from the Hawai‘i State Bar Association for pro bono work. She was also named in The Best Lawyers in America and Honolulu Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Hawai‘i from 2008 through 2015.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Constance Lau
Connie recently retired as President and CEO and a Director of Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) after a 37-year career, the last 20 as CEO of HEI and of American Savings Bank (ASB). During Connie’s tenure, HEI was Hawaii’s largest public company and recognized nationally as a leader in the clean energy transition.
After graduating from UC Law SF (fka Hastings) and Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and working as an associate at a large San Francisco law firm, Connie returned home and started with Hawaiian Electric Company as HECO’s second in-house lawyer. As Assistant Corporate Counsel and later Treasurer, Connie was involved in many endeavors on behalf of the HEI companies including some of the nation’s first power contracts with independent power producers including wind on Oahu and Maui and geothermal on Hawaii Island, acquisitions and dispositions of interisland maritime, insurance and banking companies and Hawaii’s first land use mediation.
Connie became known nationally in the fields of utilities, banking, clean energy, national security and cybersecurity, serving on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council under three U.S. presidents, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council and as a C3E Clean Energy Ambassador. In banking, she was named one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking in the U.S. by U.S. Banker magazine and served on the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council.
Connie’s also been active in Hawaii, chairing the Hawaii Bankers Association, the UH Foundation, the Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation, Punahou School, Move Oahu Forward and the Military Affairs Council. One of her most significant contributions was as a special purpose, then interim, then regular Trustee of Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate to help restructure the trust following the Broken Trust crisis, and she continues to serve on KS’ investment advisory committee.
Connie is also a director of Matson, Inc. (formerly also Alexander & Baldwin), Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services and its Lloyd’s of London syndicate and most recently Finance Enterprises, Ltd., holding company of Finance Factors, Finance Insurance and Waipono Investment Corp.
Connie credits her father who experienced pre-Civil Rights Act Hawaii and told her if she earned a law degree “you will know your rights and be able to help others secure theirs” and that “you can do anything with a law degree.” That certainly has been true in her career as she encouraged many, and particularly women, to become C-Suite executives, including as CEO.
Connie is married and has three children and three grandchildren.
Distinguished Service Award
Leina'ala Ley
Leinā‘ala Ley is a Native Hawaiian attorney and policy advocate. During her six-year tenure at Earthjustice, Ley was a lead attorney on the youth-led climate case Navahine v. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, which culminated in a landmark settlement to reduce transportation emissions in line with Hawai‘i’s public trust doctrine and the youth plaintiffs’ constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. Ley is currently the Chief Advocate for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs where she continues her public service work in the policy field. Ley was born and raised on Kauaʻi and O‘ahu and has dedicated her legal career to advocating for Hawai‘i’s people and protection of the islands’ natural and cultural resources, particularly Native Hawaiian rights and entitlements. Ley was pregnant with her 19-month-old son when she argued in opposition to the State’s Motion to Dismiss the Navhine case in 2023 and hopes that the political and legal environment will coalesce around climate rights in time to protect his and other young people’s future here in Hawai‘i.
Joanna Zeigler
Joanna earned her JD with a certificate in environmental law from William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi. After law school, she clerked for two years for the Honorable Lisa M. Ginoza at the Intermediate Court of Appeals and then joined Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert, as a litigation associate. Joanna joined Our Children’s Trust as a staff attorney in 2022. Our Children’s Trust represents young people in law suits against their government to secure their legal rights to a safe climate. She primarily works on State Cases filed by Our Children’s Trust, including Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Dept. of Transportation, Layla v. Commonwealth of Virginia, and Sagoonick v. State of Alaska II, and is working to develop new cases in other states. In her spare time, Joanna enjoys getting outside and being active.
Isaac Moriwake
Isaac Moriwake is the Managing Attorney of the Mid-Pacific Office of Earthjustice, a non-profit, public-interest law firm working on environmental and energy cases across the nation, with 37 years of serving the community in Hawai‘i and the greater Pacific]. His legal practice includes litigation and advocacy before state and federal courts and agencies on a range of issues including water, climate and clean energy, and environmental justice. Born and raised in Hawai‘i, he graduated from Pomona College and the William S. Richardson Law School at the University of Hawai‘i. After law school, he clerked for Justice Paula A. Nakayama of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court.
Kylie Wager-Cruz
Kylie has had the privilege of representing community groups in proceedings to promote clean energy and clean water, end the use of fossil fuels, protect Native Hawaiian communities disproportionately burdened by pesticide exposure, safeguard Hawai‘i’s native and threatened wildlife, and restore stream flows.
Prior to joining Earthjustice, Kylie served as a law clerk for the Honorable Mark E. Recktenwald, Chief Justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. She was also a legal fellow at the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources — Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement and legal intern at the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission. During law school, Kylie worked as a summer law clerk for the Earthjustice Mid-Pacific regional office and as an extern for the Honorable Richard R. Clifton, circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She has held several research positions focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate adaptation law and policy.
Kylie is a proud graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law. She enjoys spending time with her family in the ocean and exploring wild places.
President's Award
Twinkle Borge
Twinkle Borge was the founder and leader of Puuhonua O Waianae, a village of 250 people living unhoused on State land adjacent to the Waianae Boat Harbor. She organized POW residents into a powerful community - offering safety, healing, and purpose for people who had lost everything. Residents of POW take care of each other in ways that most neighborhoods only dream of. They also serve others outside of the village, through POW programs like food and hygiene outreach to other houseless encampments, events for Waianae keiki, and community clean ups.
In 2018, Twinkle and others had to defend the village from the threat of State eviction, then spent the next year and a half raising funds to purchase land where the village could relocate to. In 2020, POW completed the purchase of 20 acres in Waianae Valley, and is now working to construct POW Farm Village - the permanent home for all the people and programs of Puuhonua O Waianae.
Twinkle was "Mama" to everyone, always taking care, and living by the mantra, "kuleana wakes up mana." She is loved and missed by many. Today, a council of 6 village leaders, that she appointed before she passed, carries her vision and values forward, and continues the work she started.
Previous Awardees
Outstanding Women Lawyer Award 2024 - Dean Camille Nelson 2023 - Rochelle Vidinha 2022 - Rhonda Griswold 2021 - Rep. Sylvia Luke 2020 - Susan L. Arnett 2019 - Senator Laura H. Thielen 2018 - Rebecca Copeland 2017 - Jennifer Solidum Rose 2016 - Joanne Grimes 2015 - Representative Linda Ichiyama 2014 - Janet Kelly 2013 - Representative Della Au Bellati 2012 - Senator Maile Shimabukuro 2011 - Shannon Wack & Jo Kim 2010 - Kathryn Matayoshi 2009 - Florence Nakakuni 2008 - Hazel Beh 2007 - Senator Colleen Hanabusa 2006 - Colleen Wong 2005 - Thalia Murphy 2004 - Lea Hong 2003 - Mari Matsuda 2002 - Congresswoman Patsy Mink 2001 - General Coral Wong Pietsch 2000 - Donna Tanoue 1999 - Susan Ichinose 1998 - Margery Bronster 1997 - Beadie Kanahele Dawson 1996 - Yuklin Aluli 1995 - Stephanie Rezents 1994 - Pamela Ferguson-Brey 1993 - Mervina Cash-Kaeo 1992 - Esther Kwon Arinaga 1991 - Ellen Godbey Carson 1990 - Lorraine Akiba 1989 - Joyce Neely & Leslie Hayashi 1987 - Elizabeth Fujiwara 1986 - Susan Oki Mollway 1985 - Sherry Broder 1984 - Angie King 1983 - Shelby Anne Floyd 1982 - Carol Mon Lee 1981 - Meredith Lennel Distinguished Service Award 2024 - Leina'ala Ley, Joanna Zeigler, Isaac Moriwake & Kylie Wager-Cruz 2023 - Chief Judge R. Mark Browning (Ret.) 2022 - Dr. Reni Soon 2021 - Jenny Silbiger 2020 - Nalani Fujimori Kaina 2019 - Tracey S. Wiltgen 2018 - Karen Char 2017 - Avis Aokele Kalama 2016 - Zale Okazaki 2015 - Dr. Jill Omori 2014 - Honorable Karen Radius (Ret.) 2013 - Representative Sylvia Luke 2012 - Senator Mazie Hirono 2011 - Elizabeth Kent 2010 - Amy Agbayani 2009 - Adriana Ramelli 2008 - Rob Perez 2007 - Chris Chun 2006 - Carol Mon Lee 2005 - Laurie Tochiki 2004 - Nanci Kriedman 2003 - Lorraine Robinson 2002 - Denise Antolini 2001 - Allicyn Hikida Tasaka & Annelle Amaral 2000 - Ellen Godbey Carson 1999 - Diane Yukihiro Chang 1998 - Jacqueline Young 1997 - Dorothy "Dolly" Ching 1996 - Judy Weightman 1995 - Reverend Pamela Vessels & Anne Clarkin 1994 - Judy Sobin & Windward Spouse Abuse Coalition 1993 - Honorable Marie Milks 1992 - Rep. Annelle Amaral & Sara Lyn Smith 1991 - Chief Justice Herman T.F. Lum 1990 - Honorable Helen Gillmor 1989 - Senator Mary George 1987 - Naomi Campbell 1986 - Congresswoman Patsy Mink 1985 - C. Frederick Schutte 1984 - Honorable Betty Vitousek 1982 - Harriet Bouslog 1981 - Rhoda Lewis |
Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 - Constance Lau 2023 - The Late Pat Mau-Shimizu 2022 - The Late Darolyn Lendio Heim 2021 - Avi Soifer 2020 - Professor Carole J. Petersen 2019 - Honorable Barbara P. Richardson (ret.) 2018 - Esther Arinaga 2017 - Vanessa Chong 2016 - Honorable Richard Clifton 2015 - Marya Grambs 2014 - Robert A. Chong 2013 - Director Loretta Fuddy 2012 - Marilyn Lee 2011 - Professor Jon Markham Van Dyke 2010 - Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon 2009 - Mahealani Perez Wendt 2008 - Sonia Faust 2007 - Honorable Marcia Waldorf 2006 - Shimeji Ryusaki Kanazawa 2005 - Melody MacKenzie 2004 - Lois Yasui 2003 - Alana W. Lau 2002 - Shelby Anne Floyd 2001 - Beadie Kanahele Dawson 2000 - Bernice Littman 1999 - Ah Quon McElrath 1998 - Chief Justice William S. Richardson 1997 - Honorable Evelyn Lance 1996 - Congresswoman Patsy Mink 1995 - Honorable Betty Vitousek 1994 - Naomi Campbell President's Award 2024 - Twinkle Borge 2023 - Robin Wurtzel 2022 - Deja Ostrowski & Dina Shek 2021 - Lynn Costales 2020 - The Domestic Violence Action Center & Nanci Kriedman 2019 - Rachael Wong 2018 - Dr. Jackie Young 2017 - Senator Rosalyn Baker 2016 - Ellen Godbey Carson 2015 - Honorable Daniel R. Foley 2014 - Women of Waianae 2013 - HI State Commission on the Status of Women 2012 - Ete Bowl Founders & Participants 2011 - Susan Ichinose 2010 - Kimberlee Bassford 2009 - Elisabeth Chun 2008 - Melissa Pavlicek 2007 - Louise K. Y. Ing 2006 - Congresswoman Mazie Hirono 2005 - Representative Barbara Marumoto 2004 - Dr. Laura Weldon Hoque 2003 - Karen Char & June R. Lee 2002 - Lynn Maunakea 2001 - Patricia McManaman 2000 - Rai Saint Chu & Emme Tomimbang 1999 - M. Casey Jarman 1998 - Sister Michelle McQueeny 1997 - Gladys Kamakuokalani Alona Brandt 1996 - Honorable Marie Milks 1995 - Madelyn Perry & Reverend Pamela Boyd 1994 - Cynthia Thielen 1993 - Trudy Burns Stone 1992 - Sharon Burnham Takeuchi 1991 - Susan Arinaga Li 1990 - Michelle Tucker 1989 - Susan Jaworowski Outstanding Judicial Achievement Award 2024 - Judge Dyan Medeiros 2023 - Judge Trish K. Morikawa 2022 - Associate Justice Paula Nakayama 2021 - Honorable Dayna Dias Beamer (ret.) 2020 - Honorable Darien W.L. Ching Nagata 2019 - Honorable Alexa D.M. Fujise 2018 - Honorable Helen Gillmor 2017 - Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald 2016 - Honorable Trudy Senda 2015 - Honorable Linda K.C. Luke 2014 - Honorable Jennifer Ching 2013 - Honorable Christine Kuriyama 2012 - Honorable Leslie Hayashi 2011 - Honorable Faye Koyanagi 2010 - Honorable Leslie Kobayashi 2009 - Honorable Corinne Watanabe 2008 - Honorable R. Mark Browning 2007 - Honorable Karen Radius 2006 - Honorable Sabrina S. McKenna 2005 - Honorable Colleen Hirai 2004 - Honorable Susan Oki Mollway 2003 - Honorable Marie Milks 2002 - Justice Paula Nakayama 2001 - Honorable Frances Wong |