GARY T. KUBOTA / GKUBOTA@STARBULLETIN.COM Yvienne Tagorda is among Parents for Justice members putting yellow ribbons on trees to call attention to legislative resolutions urging an investigation of Maui Family Court.

Parents group on Maui
hopes ribbons bring justice

The group contends Maui Family
Court is sometimes unfair

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By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

WAILUKU >> A group of Maui parents is putting yellow ribbons on trees to bring attention to state legislative resolutions calling for an investigation into Maui Family Court.

Members of Parents for Justice said they felt they have been treated unfairly by Maui Family Court and that there is not enough oversight in the system to ensure just decisions in child custody battles.

As part of their campaign, they also support Senate Resolution 48 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 82, which call for a feasibility study to expand the authority of the state ombudsman to include investigations into the Judiciary and its staff.

Under state law the state ombudsman may investigate complaints about the state administration but is barred from investigating the Judiciary.

The resolutions, introduced by state Sen. Fred Hemmings (R, Kailua-Waimanalo) on behalf of the group, have been referred to Senate Judiciary and Ways and Means committees.

Group spokeswoman Margaret "Mitzi" Sevilla said people have complained about the court failing to adequately enforce visitation rights, enabling a parent to spend time with their children while in the custody of the other parent. She said the process is too expensive for many women and takes too much time.

Yvienne Tagorda, a member, said she was on a business trip and unaware that Maui Family Court had held a hearing and awarded custody of their daughter to her former common-law husband.

Tagorda, who works as a retail saleswoman, said she has had difficulty fighting the custody battle because the jurisdiction was transferred to Oahu, and she cannot afford to pay for the travel and an attorney.

State courts spokeswoman Marsha Kitagawa said parents may appeal or ask for reconsideration of a judge's decision and that the interests of families are adequately protected through the state legal system.

She said child custody cases often involve difficult and emotionally charged issues, and sometimes those who do not prevail perceive the justice system as unfair and ineffectual.

She said people who believe a judge has committed an unethical act may file a complaint with the Commission on Judicial Conduct. Ethics complaints against attorneys may be filed with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

Kitagawa said she needed more details before she could respond to individual cases.