On September 18, 2006, the Research Institute for Hawaii.USA sponsored Hawaii Pacific University's "First Amendment Symposium - A Global Perspective." It was held to celebrate the United States' Constitution, and share global perspectives on citizens' rights to free speech.
The distinguished panel of speakers represented the countries of Cambodia, China, Pakistan, Sudan, and Ukraine. They commented on each country's position on free speech. Aviam Soifer, Esq., spoke on behalf of the U.S. Constitution. He is the Dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law, of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and a nationally recognized expert on U.S. constitutional law, and author of several books. The symposium moderator was Cynthia Quinn, Assistant Professor of Law at Hawaii Pacific University.
The event was held at the Hawaii Judiciary History Center in the restored 1913 Territorial Courtroom of Ali'iolani Hale.
Video and audio from symposium
Introduction Speech - Frances Mossman, J.D; Symposium Moderator - Cynthia Quinn, Assistant Professor of Law, Hawaii Pacific University; Symposium Panelist - Aviam Soifer, Dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law, of the University of Hawaii at Manoa
Research Institute for Hawaii.USA wishes to recognize that this program could not have taken place without the generous assistance of:
Spencer Kimura, Associate Director, International Programs, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii at Manoa; Chatt G. Wright, President, Hawaii Pacific University; Matt Mattice, Executive Director, Judiciary History Center, and The Honorable Ronald T.Y. Moon, Chief Justice, Hawaii Supreme Court.
We were honored that the Hawaii State Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon, and Associate Justice Steven H. Levinson, were present during the symposium. Justice Moon was sworn in as a Chief Justice in 1993. In 2003 Chief Justice Moon was named a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award by the National Center for State Courts. Associate Justice Steven H. Levinson is a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Michigan. Levinson is currently serving his second term on the Hawaii Supreme Court.
