Speeches of William S. Richardson

This exhibit features speeches by William S. Richardson.  These speeches provide insight into his views during his early career in the Democratic Party, his position as the 2nd Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawaiʻi, his role as Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court, and his advocacy for the Law School at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. 

Richardson was an educator of the law, such as explaining how the judiciary operates, communicating how law can help disadvantaged communities, and discussing how law affects workers, women, law enforcement, students, teachers, Indigenous Hawaiians, immigrants, ethnic groups, community organizations, lawyers, law clerks, business peoples, economists, agriculturalists, historians, and volunteers.

He was an avid educator of the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom law and the practice of American Law in Hawaiʻi.  He spoke on the legal histories of Hawaiian monarchs, and the modern legal efforts of the Native Hawaiian community. He researched historical sites of the Hawaiian Kingdom, such as Puʻukohola Heiau, Kawaihae, and Aliʻiolani Hale, and advocated for their restoration and preservation. He provided speeches to many community organizations and educational institutions, youth development groups, high schools, and the University of Hawaiʻi. 

Throughout his career, he believed in inspiring the people of Hawaiʻi to participate in their government to increase its relevance, ethics, and accountability.