After two weeks of acclimating and reconnecting with the community I built last summer, the official timeline for my Leadership in Action (LiA) project began on June 16th. This past week was packed with events and meaningful engagements.

On Monday and Wednesday mornings, I attended court with my managing partner to conduct court monitoring in landlord and tenant court and to represent a client in a guardianship case in family court. These experiences gave me valuable exposure to legal procedures and the practical realities of working in the legal field. I observed firsthand the importance of preparation, professional demeanor, and legal advocacy in action.

On Tuesday and Saturday, I had the opportunity to serve at Na Kia‘i O’ Maui, a resource and recovery center providing essential goods like food, clothing, and furniture to wildfire survivors. I attended as a representative of my firm and was entrusted with leading teams to organize donations and manage distribution efforts. This role allowed me to practice logistical coordination and team leadership in a high-impact setting.

Monday afternoon and Thursday were dedicated to a partnership with Living Way, a local organization I’ve built strong ties with. Together, we delivered hot meals directly to families in Lahaina, offering both sustenance and emotional support. On Wednesday afternoon, our firm hosted its first community workshop to recruit participants for our upcoming legal education and “Know Your Rights” clinics, which are central to my LiA project. We successfully engaged 15 committed community advocates who enrolled in the program, marking a promising start toward building grassroots legal awareness.

On Friday, I joined my manager in attending a statewide access to justice conference at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Richardson School of Law. The event featured presentations from judges, lawyers, and policy advocates, offering practical insights that will directly inform my upcoming legal education efforts.

This week was incredibly productive. I made significant progress on all fronts, including legal exposure, community engagement, and groundwork for my educational initiative. Most importantly, I was able to re-integrate myself into the community while taking concrete steps to launch the core components of my project.

While the week was successful, time management was a challenge. With so many commitments across different organizations, I sometimes found myself stretched thin. In future weeks, I hope to delegate more effectively and prioritize tasks with clearer boundaries to ensure sustainability and avoid burnout.

Working alongside attorneys, community leaders, volunteers, and survivors reminded me of the importance of humility, active listening, and leading with empathy. I recognized how small gestures, like offering a smile or remembering a name, can foster trust and unity. I also saw how my natural inclination toward organization and initiative allowed me to step into leadership roles organically, especially when guiding teams at the resource center.

This week reinforced that the most impactful leadership is servant leadership. I learned that leading doesn’t always mean being in charge; it means being willing to step in, get your hands dirty, and uplift those around you. I also developed a deeper appreciation for the importance of clear and concise communication when directing volunteers or presenting to the community. Leadership, I realized, is not about authority but about responsibility and presence.

Looking ahead, I want to refine my discernment in group dynamics, knowing when to speak up and take initiative versus when to step back and support others’ leadership. I also want to deepen my ability to communicate legal knowledge in an accessible, culturally sensitive way as I facilitate our upcoming legal education workshops. Strengthening these skills will allow me to serve more effectively and ensure the long-term impact of my project.