Basic Orientation Workshop for Court Interpreters

The Judiciary’s Office on Equality and Access to the Courts (OEAC) is pleased to announce that registration is open for the 2025 Workshops for new state court interpreters! 

The Basic Orientation Workshop

Offered only once a year statewide, the Basic Orientation Workshop (BOW) is the first mandatory event in the Certification Program.  The BOW is a two-day seminar that provides an introduction to court interpreting, ethics, and the role of the interpreter in court.  Topics covered include: the role of interpreters in the state court system; court interpreting skills; interpreting practice techniques; court interpreter ethics and protocol; legal terms and resources; and next steps in the Certification Program.  Applicants must attend the BOW in order to become qualified to interpret in the Hawai‘i State Courts.

This year, through grant funding, we are offering the BOW at a reduced rate of just $25.00.  The registration fee of $25.00 – 80% off the regular cost of the workshop — covers the two-day workshop, course materials, and a resource binder developed especially for Hawai‘i court interpreters. 

Hilo: February 20-21, 2025, Hale Kaulike (Hilo Courthouse)
Maui, February 26-27, 2025, Hoapili Hale (Maui Courthouse)
Kona, March 4-5, 2025, Keahuolū Courthouse (Kona)
Kauaʻi, March 11-12, 2025, Puʻuhonua 󠄀Kaulike 󠄀(Kaua‘i 󠄀Courthouse)
Oʻahu (Session 1), March 28-29, 2025, Aliʻiōlani Hale (Supreme Court)
Oʻahu (Session 2), April 4-5, 2025, Aliʻiōlani Hale (Supreme Court)

Training is 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both days.

Seating at each workshop site is limited so register online at www.courts.state.hi.us/courtinterpreting.  After completing the online registration, the interpreter must mail or deliver a check or money order for the $25.00 registration fee to: OEAC, 426 Queen St. #B-17, Honolulu, HI 96813. The Interpreter will not be confirmed for the workshop until their registration payment is received by OEAC.

The Hawai‘i State Judiciary’s Court Interpreter Certification Program

Court Interpreters service the courts as independent contractors and receive:

• Compensation starting at $35.00/hour;

• Roundtrip mileage reimbursement at $.70 per mile;

• Exemption from expired meter parking ticket while on assignment; and

• Commuter time payment, if applicable.

 

Freelance court interpreters are not Judiciary staff and do not receive employee benefits.

 

Interpreters must be at least 18 years of age, be authorized to work in the United States, and possess a Hawai‘i General Excise Tax License.  The Certification Program requires all interpreters to attend a two-day orientation workshop, pass a written English proficiency exam and basic ethics exam, and clear a criminal background check.  Taking an oral skills exam is optional, however obtaining a passing score on the oral exam will lead to an increased compensation rate.

 Questions?

For more information about the Court Interpreter Certification Program or the BOW, contact the Office on Equality and Access to the Courts by email at oeac@courts.hawaii.gov or by calling (808) 539-4860.