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Donna Kalama
Donna H. Kalama
Partner

EDUCATION

William S. Richardson School of Law, J.D.

Willamette University, B.A. (magna cum laude)

PRACTICE AREAS

Administrative Law, Class Actions, Commercial Litigation, Professional Liability, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death, Products Liability, Native Hawaiian Rights, NAGPRA, Civil Rights, Land Use and Land Use Litigation, Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices, Real Estate Litigation, Premises Liability, and Appeals.

Donna's 30 years as a litigator and trial lawyer have involved a broad spectrum of legal issues and often complex, novel cases.  Having worked both in private practice, where she was a partner in one of Hawaii's most prestigious firms, and as a deputy attorney general responsible for major claims, Donna has navigated state and federal courts, and administrative tribunals, in cases ranging from slip-and-falls to complex class actions.  She has been involved in many high-profile cases, including litigation involving the molasses spill in Honolulu Harbor, Hawaii's Marriage Equality Act and President Trump's travel ban.  Donna's work has also involved Native Hawaiian Rights, including NAGPRA work for the Bishop Museum, defending the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission, and representing the State in cases involving Native Hawaiian burials.  

 

Donna's singular talent in written advocacy has resulted in significant wins for her clients, at the trial courts and on appeal.  

Hawaii and Legal Communities

Native Hawaiian Bar Association; Hawaii State Bar Association, Appellate Section;

Federal Bar Association - Hawaii Chapter (Director)

Clerkship

Honorable Samuel P. King, Senior Judge, USDC, District of Hawaii

Admissions

Hawaii; USDC, District of Hawaii;

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Publications

Eric K. Yamamoto, Moses Haia, Donna Kalama, Courts and the Cultural Performance: Native Hawaiians’ Uncertain Federal and State Law Rights to Sue, 16 University of Hawai‘i Law Review 1 (1994)

David L. Callies, Donna H. Kalama, Mahilani E. Kellett, The Lum Court, Land Use, and the Environment:  A Survey of Hawai‘i Case Law 1983 to 1991, 14 University of Hawai‘i Law Review 119 (1992)

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