Court interpreters want a raise

By David Waite
Advertiser Court Writer

A group of state court interpreters hopes to deliver a petition today to Hawai'i Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Moon asking for a pay increase.

Alohalani Boido, spokeswoman for the 60-member Interpreter Action Network, said the court interpreters earn $40 to $50 per half-day, and have not gotten a raise in nearly two decades.

"Many of Hawai'i's most highly qualified interpreters can no longer afford to work in the state courts," Boido said. "Once we have paid for lunch, parking, gas and Hawai'i's general excise tax, there isn't much left over. We're people, too. We have to pay our bills, buy food and pay the rent."

Marsha Kitagawa, judiciary spokeswoman, issued a statement yesterday saying that the short notice prevented Moon from meeting with the interpreters today. But she noted that a meeting with the chief justice is not necessary, since a judiciary committee is considering the matter and will report to Moon "at an appropriate time."

Court interpreters provide translations in court proceedings as needed for witnesses and defendants. Boido said she believes there are about 230 to 250 foreign-language interpreters registered with the state court system, about 50 of whom routinely work in the state court system on O'ahu.

Boido, a Spanish-language interpreter, said the state courts in Hawai'i are in danger of losing qualified interpreters, and none make enough to earn a living from interpreter work alone.

In locations such as California, North Carolina and New Mexico, interpreters earn $100 to $160 per half day, Boido said. The state courts should at least match the amount paid to interpreters in the federal court system on O'ahu, she said — $80 to $165 per half-day.

In her statement, Kitagawa said the judiciary committee and judiciary would have to evaluate the budget impact of any pay raises, and whether taxpayers can be asked to foot the bill.

"First and foremost, the Hawai'i State Judiciary recognizes that court interpreters provide an important service that is essential to the fair administration of justice, and values the 200 court interpreters who occasionally serve as independent contractors in cases where interpreters are required," she said. "An independent contractor is self-employed and is not an employee of the Judiciary," according to the statement.

Boido said the issue was discussed throughout the 1990s and a report on the topic was submitted in 1995, but no raises were authorized.

"I don't know of any other group in this state that has gone so long without a pay raise," Boido said. "It's time."

Reach David Waite at dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8030.