After attending Rock for Justice for several years, this year felt different — in the best possible way. It reminded me why this event has become one of my favorites: it’s the rare moment where the faces we normally see across courtrooms, in front of witnesses and juries, or even just in passing, finally appear in a different light.

Most of us in the judiciary only interact during the grind — arraignments, warrant services, tight deadlines, and all the pressure that comes with advocating for clients. So seeing familiar faces in a space that’s open, social, and free from the day-to-day slog was refreshing. You get to meet the real person, not the professional mask we all wear during business hours.

As a perfect example, before calling it a night, I introduced myself to public defender Antoinette Lilley. I’ve heard her name for years and even wrote a newsletter about her deep preparation, and an “all-in” commitment to defending her clients. Yet somehow, we’d never spoken face-to-face until this event. It was great to finally connect and have a real conversation rather than simply knowing each other’s reputations through the legal grapevine.

Another highlight was reconnecting with Alan Akao, a public defender I’ve always respected. We once worked on a somewhat unique case — one where he managed to save his client enormous time, money, and stress. Instead of forcing the defendant to fly back to Hawaiʻi to self-surrender and post bail on a very rare and unique matter, Alan fought to get the no-bail warrant entry lifted; all without the client ever needing to be arrested, transported, or even flying back to the state.

Talking Story With “The Other Side”

Despite the stereotype that bail agents and prosecutors are sworn enemies, I had great conversations with folks from both the Prosecutor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office. Out of respect for their professional positions (and the optics of being seen talking to a guy like me), I won’t name names. However, I will say that one of my favorite jokes while exiting a conversation is, “I’ll let ya go now, before someone snaps a photo of you talking to a bail agent.” 

The Event Has Fully Bounced Back

The pandemic is behind us, and this year’s turnout was the strongest I’ve ever seen. The energy felt like a full return to form — a packed room, a great cause, and the sense that Honolulu’s legal community can unite when it counts.

Closing Thoughts

Rock for Justice 7 was more than a fundraiser — it was a reminder that behind the titles, offices, and courtroom roles, we’re all humans first and have prioritized charity over strife. It’s an amazing cause — fundraising for stipends so that law students can give back to the community.

So when we’re not battling over motions or arguing bail amounts, its great to drop the professional mask and remember the community we’re all trying to serve.

Let’s continue to be well to each other 🫶 

— Jail Mail Nick

What did you think of today's issue of JAIL MAIL

• 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Absolute Fire, Bravo!
• 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽Eh, it was mid, OK at best
• 👏🏽 Be better, this was just awful