As the end of the 2008 Hawai‘i legislative session approaches, four HPU justice administration (JADM) students celebrated the success of a newly formed JADM internship program at the Hawai‘i State Legislature at a State Capitol press conference March 25. Students Tony Brancato, Leanne Galanti, Melissa Redona, and Keegan Shepherd-Jones acknowledged and expressed their appreciation to their legislative mentors, respectively: Rep. Robert Herkes, Rep. Sharon Har, Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, and Sen. Norman Sakamoto.

In the Legislative Volunteers Program, also known as JADM 4950 practicum, students serve as staff assistants to either a representative or senator for the 60-day legislative session, according to HPU JADM Associate professor Mel Masuda. Each volunteer works in the legislator’s office a minimum of six hours a week, with duties ranging from Xeroxing documents and filing bills to attending committee hearings.

“ Typical duties vary from day to day,” said Shepherd-Jones. “But I mainly just fill in the small gaps to help the office run smoother, which allows personnel in the office to focus on their deadlines. I deliver and pick up documents from various offices throughout the Capitol, assemble packets for individual hearings, and do other routine office work.”

Galanti’s typical duties included attending hearings with Rep. Har.

“ I love sitting in on hearings,” Galanti said. “Hearings really give you good insight as to…the whole process of how a bill eventually becomes law.” Galanti has become a paid member of Har’s staff.
Brancato’s duties included installing a surround sound system and printer in Herkes’ office.

Redona got to attend various meetings for Sen. Chun Oakland, including meetings for the Alzheimer’s Association, Kahi Mohala, and Advocates for Youth on teen pregnancy prevention.
“ One of the other highlights,” she continued, “was I got to go on the Senate floor with the senator herself, and I got to see what actually goes on during session.”

The idea for the legislative volunteers program originated with Dr. Vincent Tsushima, assistant dean of Liberal Arts and program chair of the JADM program. He worked with Masuda, who founded HPU’s JADM program, to create JADM 4950 as an unrestricted elective. Masuda asked Dennis Ihara, a law adjunct with 30-years involvement at the Legislature, to place the students with the legislators. Ihara and Masuda regularly follow up with the legislators and meet with and mentor the students, Ihara said.

“Even though it’s the first semester,” Brancato said, “[the program is] very well organized.”
The representatives and senators agree, said Ihara: “I have heard nothing but good comments from the legislators who are very impressed with our students. This group of interns does HPU proud!” He added that “if the present interns continue with their outstanding work,” the demand for HPU interns would grow.

The Legislative Volunteers Program will be held in the spring semesters, coinciding with the January-to-May legislative session, and other internships with law-related agencies will be offered in the fall semesters, Masuda explained. It is open to JADM and non-JADM majors, and requirements to apply include junior or senior status and at least a 3.3 GPA.

“ It takes a lot of responsibility and a lot of initiative,” said Redona. “It’s time consuming, but it’s very rewarding.”

Shepherd-Jones’ advice to students interested in the program is, “don’t put in the minimum time. Do more. The more you give, the more you get.”

Galanti’s advice is to “Come in with an open mind. Come in wanting to learn, wanting to know how the legislative process is run. Even if (students) learn that it’s not for them, it’s still an experience that they’ll learn from.”