Prosecutor is honored
for volunteer contributions

KEALAKEKUA, Hawaii » The Hawaii State Bar Association honored Hawaii County Deputy Prosecutor Carol Kitaoka yesterday for the numerous types of volunteer services she provides to the West Hawaii community.

The Pro Bono/Service Award was presented by Hawaii Bar Association President Richard Turbin during the opening of a new Drug Court courtroom in South Kona.

Kitaoka was recognized for conducting a successful Law Week 2005 in the spring, bringing elementary school children into older courtrooms, where they met with judges.

She has been involved with Ready for the World, a national program for high school seniors in which attorneys give presentations on starting a checking account, renting an apartment, getting a car loan, voting and other post-graduation activities.

Kitaoka also participated in annual "junior judge" and mock trial activities in schools.

She served on the U.S. Young Women's Health Summit from 2000 to 2003, the Hawaii County Committee on the Status of Women in 2004, and obtained grants for several programs for teenage girls.