State of Hawaii v. Charles Zuffante; April 21, 2025. On April 17, 2025, something rare and powerful happened at the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center. The Hawaii Supreme Court held a live oral argument in the case of State of Hawaii v. Charles Zuffante, featuring Attorney Georgette Anne Yaindle for the petitioner and Deputy Prosecutor Frederick M. Macapinlac for the respondent. This special session was part of the Courts in the Community program - a statewide initiative that, since 2012, has brought real Supreme Court proceedings to local schools across Hawaii. Over 7,000 students from 122 high schools have had the chance to witness our justice system in action. For the first time ever, this event was streamed live on Na Leo TV Channel 55 and YouTube, making it accessible to even more students and viewers. Hundreds of high school, charter, and college students filled the Performing Arts Center, gaining a rare, firsthand look into the workings of the highest court in our state. This was more than just a court case - it was civic education in motion.
