Marybeth Yuen Maul, 85, who served as an attorney and judge on Molokai for nearly 40 years, died April 23 in Eugene, Ore.

A celebration of her life was to be held today at Grace Episcopal Church in Hoolehua, Molokai.

Maul was the first female judge of Asian-American ancestry in Hawaii, according to her family. In 1988 the Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center presented her with a Keeper of the Flame Award for leadership and commitment to people of Hawaii.

“;She was a pioneer and a role model,”; said Douglas Chong, president of the Hawaii Chinese History Center.

The daughter of Yun Kee Yuen, who opened the first plantation store on Molokai in the 1920s, “;she was an inspiration because her roots were from Molokai and yet she could achieve so much,”; Chong said. “;It's not often that people move away, become very successful and come back to their roots.”;

Maul earned a law degree from the University of Wisconsin and worked as a labor lawyer in Chicago before returning to Hawaii in the 1950s.

For years she was the only practicing attorney on Molokai, often representing plantation workers.

“;Her practice was not marked by celebrated causes, famous clients or extravagant financial returns,”; wrote Karen Holt in a book, “;Called from Within, Early Women Lawyers of Hawaii.”; Maul was Molokai magistrate from 1957 to 1971 and served later as a state district judge.

“;When you think of judges, they're often sending people to jail and nothing changes,”; said the Rev. Lynette Schaefer, former vicar of Grace Episcopal Church. “;Marybeth did what she could before they got to that level, to give them an opportunity to change and a hope for the future.”;

She served as administrator of the Department of Health settlement for former Hansen's disease patients at Kalaupapa for seven years, retiring in 1992.

“;She was pushing me to speak up for myself and also the needs of the patients,”; said Gloria Marks, who is now president of the Kalaupapa Patients Advisory Council. “;She was a good teacher.”;

She is survived by daughters Robin Campbell and Christy Rice, brother John “;Sonny”; Yuen, sisters Lilyan Yuen Anderson and Jane Yuen Chang, and four grandchildren.

The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Molokai Humane Society, P.O. Box 1258, Kaunakakai, HI 96748.