Help the community, earn at least $35 an hour
Posted: January 29, 2026
The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary’s Office on Equality and Access to the Courts (OEAC) is now accepting registrations for the 2026 Basic Orientation Workshop, the first required step in becoming a certified state court interpreter.
Educators who complete the two-day workshop and pass two written tests will be added to a list of eligible court interpreters for assignments ranging from court cases and probation meetings to meetings with social workers, earning at least $35 per hour.
The Hawai’i state courts use interpreters when a party or witness in a court case has limited English proficiency or is unable to hear, understand, speak, or use English sufficiently to participate effectively in court proceedings. For educators with strong language skills, this pathway offers a flexible way to earn additional income while contributing to access and equity in Hawaiʻi’s courts.
“We think that it’s a great opportunity for bilingual teachers to help their community further and think about supplemental income, especially during their summers or their breaks,” said Debi Tulang-De Silva, program director for the Office on Equality and Access to the Courts.
Complete the two-day Basic Orientation Workshop
Offered only once a year statewide, the two-day Basic Orientation Workshop introduces participants to the foundations of court interpreting. The training covers:
- The role of interpreters in the state court system
- Court interpreting skills and practice techniques
- Court interpreter ethics and protocol
- Legal terms and resources
- Next steps in the Court Interpreter Certification Program
Attendance at the workshop is mandatory for anyone seeking qualification to interpret in Hawaiʻi state courts.
This year, thanks to grant funding, the workshop is being offered at a significantly reduced cost. The $25 registration fee (an 80% discount) includes the full two-day training, course materials, and a resource binder developed specifically for Hawaiʻi court interpreters.
2026 workshop dates and locations
All sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both days, with one hour for lunch.
- Hilo: Feb. 19-20, at Hale Kaulike (Hilo Courthouse)
- Maui: Feb. 25-26, at UH Maui College
- Kauaʻi: March 10-11, at Puʻuhonua 󠄀Kaulike 󠄀(Kaua‘i 󠄀Courthouse)
- Oʻahu (session 1): March 14-15, at Aliʻiōlani Hale (Supreme Court)
- Oʻahu (session 2): March 21-22, at Aliʻiōlani Hale (Supreme Court)
- Kona: March 31-April 1, at Keahuolū Courthouse (Kona)
Seating is limited at each location. Interested participants must register online here.
After registering online, mail or deliver a check or money order for $25, payable to “State Director of Finance,” to:
OEAC, 426 Queen St. #B-17, Honolulu, HI 96813
Write the interpreter’s name on the memo line. Please note: They cannot accept cash, debit or credit cards. Registration will not be confirmed until payment is received.
After completion of the orientation workshop, a written English proficiency exam, a basic ethics exam, and a criminal background check will be required. An oral skills exam is optional, but passing it can lead to increased compensation.
About the certification program
Certified court interpreters serve the Judiciary as independent contractors, helping ensure people with limited English proficiency can fully participate in legal proceedings.
Compensation and support include:
- Pay starting at $35 per hour
- Round-trip mileage reimbursement at $0.725 per mile
- Exemption from parking tickets for expired parking meter while on court assignment
- Commuter time payment of 1 additional hour of pay for assignments farther from the interpreter’s home
Freelance court interpreters are not Judiciary employees and do not receive employee benefits.
To qualify, interpreters must be at least 18 years old, authorized to work in the United States, and hold a Hawaiʻi General Excise Tax License.
Questions? Contact the Office on Equality and Access to the Courts at OEAC@courts.hawaii.gov or (808) 539-4860.