MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii State Judiciary would like persons fluent in English and another language to apply for its 2011 Court Interpreter Certification Program. The registration fee is $95, and the program is held annually on two consecutive days on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and in Hilo and Kona on the Big Island.

The registration deadline is January 31. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Persons who can interpret in Chuukese, Marshallese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, Tongan and Samoan are especially needed. Certified sign language interpreters are also encouraged to apply.

Application forms may be obtained at www.courts.state.hi.us/courtinterpreting or by contacting the Judiciary’s Office on Equality and Access to the Courts at 539-4860. The email address is oeac@courts.state.hi.us.

Court interpreters work on a freelance basis as independent contractors in criminal or certain civil cases when parties or witnesses are unable to hear, understand, speak or use English sufficiently. Depending on their performance on written and oral exams, court interpreters are paid between $25 to $55 per hour with a two-hour minimum.

The requirements for certification include successful completion of the two-day orientation workshop, achieving a passing score on a written English proficiency and court interpreter ethics exam, clearing a criminal background check, and achieving a passing score on an oral certification exam in a non-English language.

The workshops will be held on:

• Oahu: February 19-20
• Maui: March 9-10
• Kauai: March 2-3
• Hilo: February 24-25
• Kona: March 30-31