Category: News

The February 25, 2015 event “The Future of Mediation: A Dialogue with Ken Cloke and Peter Adler” was a great success. Here are some comments we heard afterwards: “I really like the informal interview approach – it seemed to draw out something deeper about the work we do.” “I was struck by the breadth and depth of conflict resolution experience revealed as Peter and Ken talked together.” “The examples Ken Cloke gave from his practice and writing over the years, made me think about the influences in our lives and how I have also evolved as a mediator.” If you didn’t attend that event, you can now watch its 100-min video recording

Instead of settling in court low-value civil cases in England and Wales, a new report from the Civil Justice Council says these disputes should be settled online. National Public Radio Scott Simon talks to the author Richard Susskind

The Winter 2015 issue of ACResolution Magazine will feature articles on conflict resolution and prevention in the commercial and consumer arenas. Co-editors Bill Stempel and (ACR Hawaii member) Cindy Alm are seeking well-written articles on a wide range of topics including the use of mediation, arbitration, on-line and other dispute resolution processes in business to business, business to consumer, family business, real estate, financial services and other business-related disputes. Deadline for submissions is March 2, 2015. If you are a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution and need more info, click here

Mediate.com has published recently two articles written by Elizabeth Kent, an ADR practitioner and ACR Hawaii member. January 2015 – Celebrate Groundhog Day! How Punxsutawney Phil Helps Me Help People February 2015 – The “Peter Principle” Revisited

NEWS RELEASE Hilo, Hawai‘i – February 5, 2015 – The non-profit Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center received a $5,000 grant from the Cooke Foundation to launch a school peer mediation program in East Hawai‘i. During the 2014-2015 school year, 40 fourth and fifth graders were trained how to mediate disputes among students at Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School (LCPCS). “Ku‘ikahi is thrilled to partner with LCPCS for our East Hawai‘i Peer Mediation Elementary School Pilot Project,” said Ku‘ikahi Executive Director Julie Mitchell. “The school director, Alapaki Nahale-a, and the school counselor, Karen Lee Holderman, are both trained mediators who fully support the program.” In 2010, the Hawai‘i Department of Education (DOE) Safe Schools Community Advisory Committee established several recommendations to address conflict in the schools, including establishing a school community culture that creates and encourages an environment of safety and respect. Through peer mediation, students learn to work effectively with their schoolmates to facilitate positive outcomes. Students in conflict can request mediation or be referred by staff or other students. Mediators work in pairs and help disputants reach and document agreements that are safe, fair, and doable. Peer mediation is both a program and a process where students of the same age-group facilitate resolving disputes between two people or small groups. This process has proven effective in schools around the United States and in Hawai‘i, changing the way students understand and resolve conflict in their lives. Changes include improved self-esteem, listening and critical thinking skills, and school climate for learning, as well as reduced disciplinary actions and fewer fights. These skills are transferable outside of the classroom. “We are grateful to be partnering with West Hawai‘i Mediation Center (WHMC) to extend their successful Working it Out! school peer mediation program into East Hawai‘i,” Mitchell stated. “By utilizing WHMC’s skills and expertise, Ku‘ikahi…

Continue Reading

Today, Nancy Flatters (President of ACR National) announced the following: Justin R. Corbett is the new ACR Executive Director. Justin is a long-time advocate for our field with prior executive experience ranging from local programs to a national association. He brings a wealth of collaborative relationships, technical know-how, and a passion that will help move ACR toward its more expansive horizon. ACR is commencing an informed and reflective process of re-aligning its organizational resources to better support the development of resources based on members’ interests and needs. For more information about these important announcements click here 

Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center is offering free mediations to community members facing disputes related to Iselle, the tropical storm that buffeted the Big Island and Maui in August, bringing strong winds, heavy rains, downed trees and power outages. Ku‘ikahi is also providing free facilitations for larger group discussions – such as homeowner’s associations – to resolve community issues related to Iselle. These free services are made possible by Hawai‘i Island United Way funds that were specifically earmarked to help Puna residents in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Iselle. For more information contact Julie Mitchell, Ku‘ikahi Executive Director. Her phone number is (808) 935-7844 ext. 5 and email address julie@hawaiimediation.org

On November 25, 2014 the ACR (National) Board of Directors announced that is now opening up its exclusive liability insurance through its carrier, Pinkham Agency Inc. (“Pinkham”), to all Chapter members regardless of whether or not a Chapter member is an ACR member. To learn more, click here Needless to say, this announcement represents a new and important benefit for ACR Hawaii members. Therefore: If you are not an ACR Hawaii member, you now have another good reason to join us If your membership expires on December 31, 2014, now it’s the right time to renew it If you don’t know or are not sure when your membership expires, send us an email and we’ll let you know

The next issue of ACResolution Magazine will feature stories from ACR (National) members about their work. If you are an ACR National member and have stories to share about cases or situations you found challenging, instructive, frustrating, satisfying, amusing, or otherwise interesting – click here for more information The deadline is December 8, 2014. One of the 2 co-editors of ACResolution Magazine is ACR Hawaii member Cindy Alm.