A Maui District Family Court judge forced to flee her Kula home during the Maui wildfires was honored as one of 60 “courageous judges” by the National Judicial College for her work on behalf of vulnerable children and families in the aftermath of the deadly fires.
Adrienne Heely Caires, a Second Circuit District Court judge since 2012, was nominated by Paul Tonnessen, executive director of the Maui Friends of the Children’s Justice Center, who lauded Heely Caires as “an outstanding judge for not only in her role as a judge but also for her humanitarian presence she gifts our community with on a daily basis.”
What You Need To Know
The list was compiled in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of National Justice College
Heely Caires, her husband Leo and their four children evacuated their home as fires swept across Kula early on Aug. 8, 2023, and they returned a week later to find the structure heavily damaged
Despite her personal losses, Heely Caires joined judicial colleagues from across the state in working with Child Welfare Services staff, guardians ad litem and others to find shelters for displaced foster children from Lahaina
Heely Caires pointed to one particular case involving an 8-year-old foster child as cause for hope in a time of tragedy
