High court justice wraps up Island visit
By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg paddled a canoe, jumped into gentle seas off Waikiki in a blue bathing suit and swam with sea turtles yesterday — all as part of the annual Jurists-In-Residence program at the University of Hawai'i William S. Richardson School of Law.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Gillmore of the U.S. Marshals Service return to dry land after taking a short ride in an outrigger canoe off Outrigger Canoe Club and Sans Souci Beach in Waikiki.
As Ginsburg wrapped up a five-day visit that included a round of talks, lectures and informal meetings with UH law students, she hit the beach with some of those students as well as the law school dean.
"We had her not only paddling, but she jumped in the water," said Law Dean Aviam Soifer, who was aboard another canoe and did the same thing.
Soifer said he saw a changed Ginsburg from a visit six years ago, a change in which she was more forthcoming about the "peccadillos" of the high court, and about her own family. At the same time, she was admiring of UH law students, he said, saying "they have a spark" like no others. In personal conversations, including about Native Hawaiian issues, Ginsburg said the Hawai'i students were "smart and analytical."
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
"What great lawyers they will be," she told Soifer.
Ginsburg, in the second seat, paddled with UH law student Jennifer Messick, Gillmore and Circuit Court Judge Michael Town. Ginsburg was in Hawai'i for five days.
The Jurists-In-Residence program that brought Ginsburg to Hawai'i, was begun in 1987 to bring leading jurors to the school as part of the law curriculum. Past participants have included associate justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, John Paul Stevens and Byron White.
As part of the program, Ginsburg was joined by U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Myron H. Bright. During the week, Ginsburg also spoke at a Rotary Club of Honolulu luncheon, was greeted by a hula performance in her honor, and went horseback riding with Hawai'i Supreme Court Justice James E. Duffy Jr.
Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.
