News and Events

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has had an economic impact on Hawaii. Businesses have suffered as a result. We have also seen flights, conferences and events canceled. The Hawaii Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Vigilant Against Virus, Confident in Commerce webinar on March 24th from 12:00 - 1:00 PM. Local and national experts will...

On January 31, 2020, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) finally announced the release of its revised Form I-9. It will replace the form currently in use (that contained an expiration date of 8/31/2019). When that form expired in August 2019, the USCIS extended the use of it until the newest update to the Form...

Attorney Ron Heller at Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek, Attorneys at Law recently represented a client in a Hawaii Supreme Court case involving a real property tax dispute. According to the court document, the dispute revolved around one central issue: whether or not counties in Hawaii have the power to define, or re-define, what constitutes "real...

Have you ever wondered if annual raises are mandatory or what steps the Board of Directors takes to monitor the performance of employees? Attorney John Knorek at Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek, Attorneys at Law will be answering these questions at the Labor Laws and Security Guards seminar on February 20, 2020. He will review...

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ushered in the new year by issuing employer-friendly decisions and rules that primarily impact unionized employers. These include: Cutting off dues deductions after an agreement is terminated Clarifying when an employer may take unilateral action Other decisions made by the NLRB, however, affect nonunion employers as well. This may encourage employers to revise...

The Search Advisory Committee at the University of Hawaiʻi has been selected and is currently searching for the next director of the Institute for Astronomy to be named and/or in place by fall 2020. Newton J. Chu, Director of the Hawaii Island office for Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek, Attorneys at Law, was named co-chair of...

Employment law is often changing and complex. It’s critical that employers stay up to date on new legal developments in order to avoid liability. 26th Annual Employment Law Seminar Attorneys from Torkildson Katz Hetherington Harris Knorek will present new information on employment law developments, as well as often-overlooked human resource trends. The event takes place...

Employee discipline is a complex and often contentious subject. Employers who do not abide by sound legal principles can find themselves exposed to liability. Attorneys Joseph A. Ernst and Kendra K. Kawai, both directors in the labor and employment department at Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek, Attorneys at Law, bring a legal perspective to...

With great sorrow, we say goodbye to Ernest C. “Cary” Moore III, an incredible attorney, leader, mentor, and friend who leaves a lasting legacy at our firm. Cary was born and raised in Hawaii.  He first attended Hawaii Preparatory Academy and went on to earn a B.A. at Dartmouth College and a J.D. at Southern...

Attorney Ron Heller, a Director at our firm, was recently interviewed for ThinkTech Hawaii’s State of Clean Energy series. A top Hawaii tax attorney, Director Heller discusses the Tax Appeal by Kaheawa Wind against the County of Maui. The case centers on the County’s attempt to treat wind turbines as real property, even though longstanding...