Each year, The Legal Clinic (TLC) hosts its annual benefit event, at which the “Guardians of Immigrant Justice Award” is presented to one or more champions of immigrant justice in Hawai’i. This offers an opportunity to come together and celebrate the work that local individuals and groups are doing to uplift the immigrant community and raise critical funds that ensure TLC can continue providing free immigration legal counsel to people in need.

Celebrating the 2026 GUARDIANS OF IMMIGRANT JUSTICE
Click each name to read their full bio

The Honorable Mark E. Recktenwald (Ret.)

Reverend Amy Wake

CLARE HANUSZ AWARD FOR EMERGING LEADERS IN IMMIGRANT JUSTICE

Brissa Flores Romero

Mahalo Event Sponsorships

Champion Sponsor:

in honor of 2026 Guardian of Immigrant Justice awardee CJ Mark Recktenwald (ret.)

Defender Sponsors:

Carol Mon Lee

The Dods Foundation

UNITE HERE Local 5

Wesley United Methodist Church

Advocate Sponsors:

Arinaga Family

Ethnic Education Hawai'i

Finance Factors Foundation

Hawaii LECET

The Honorable Mark E. Recktenwald (ret.)

Lyn Flanigan

St. Clement's Social Justice

University of Hawai'i

Valar Immigration

Mahalo In-Kind Donors:

Alaska Airlines
Cafe Julia Hawaii
Great Lines Hawaii
Hawaii Theatre Center
Kahuku Farms
Mānoa Chocolate
Sushi Bay

Event Sponsorship Opportunities!

$10,000 Sponsor - Champion

Sponsor name included in event e-promotions and social media posts
Sponsor name and logo displayed on the event website and TLC website for 1 year
Special recognition at the event
Sponsor name listed in email newsletter (distributed to over 1600 supporters)
Sponsor name and logo on event signage and program
8 complimentary event tickets*, including two drink tickets per attendee
Reserved table seating for your attendees at the event
Opportunity to add a company logo item to VIP swag bags
VIP swag bag for all sponsored attendees

$7,500 Sponsor - Changemaker

Sponsor name included in event e-promotions and social media posts
Sponsor name on the event website and TLC website for one year
Sponsor name listed in email newsletter (distributed to over 1600 supporters)
Sponsor name and logo on event signage and program
6 complimentary event tickets*, including one drink ticket per attendee
Reserved table seating for your attendees at the event
Opportunity to add a company logo item to VIP swag bags
VIP swag bag for all sponsored attendees

$5,000 Sponsor - Defender

Sponsor name on the event website
Sponsor name listed in email newsletter (distributed to over 1600 supporters)
Sponsor name and logo on event signage and program
4 complimentary event tickets*, including one drink ticket per attendee
VIP swag bag for all sponsored attendees

$3,000 Sponsor - Advocate

Sponsor name listed on the event website
Sponsor name on event signage and program
3 complimentary event tickets*, including one drink ticket per attendee
VIP swag bag for all sponsored attendees

Contact events@tlchawaii.org for sponsorship details or if you would like to donate items to our Silent Auction. We are also happy to discuss customized sponsorships.

EVENT DETAILS

The pau hana event on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Café Julia Hawaii will feature a silent auction, award presentations, TLC updates, pupus, drinks, and music.

Parking is available at Alii Place Garage - 1099 Alakea St. (cash only, closes at 8pm), Bishop Square Parking Garage, and street parking.

Individual Tickets priced $175 include ono pupus, and a drink ticket for beer, wine, or soda.

Sponsorship levels range from $3,000 to $10,000.

To donate, purchase tickets, or make sponsorships by check please make your check payable to "The Legal Clinic" and mail to: The Legal Clinic, 1188 Bishop St., Ste. 3209, Honolulu, HI 96813. Please include a note with the name(s) of the ticket holder(s) and the number of tickets you would like to purchase, along with your contact information. For assistance, contact events@tlchawaii.org

To make a recurring donation, please visit www.tlchawaii.org/donate

Invite Your Friends and Help TLC Fundraise!

Support TLC by clicking "Join a team!", set your fundraising goal, and tell the story of why you're fundraising for immigrant justice. Creating a team allows you to maximize your giving and attract new supporters by adding friends, coworkers, and family members. Set your fundraising goal, personalize your page, and share the link widely and watch your progress!

Click here for instructions on how to create your own team, today!

ABOUT THE LEGAL CLINIC

The Legal Clinic is a nonprofit organization based in Hawaiʻi that offers free immigration legal services to our immigrant community. We believe that immigrants seeking assistance with naturalization (citizenship) applications, asylum petitions, or family reunification are entitled to high-quality, experienced legal assistance. No one should be denied the help of a lawyer due to their inability to pay or due to their immigration status.

The Legal Clinic is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and has been given the highest rating (Platinum) on Guidestar.org for financial transparency and organizational effectiveness.

Follow The Legal Clinic on social media

2026 Guardians of Immigrant Justice Benefit

Mahalo for joining us at the 2026 Guardians of Immigrant Justice Benefit at Café Julia. The event has concluded, but the campaign continues through May 31. Thanks to your support, we’ve raised over $110,000 toward our $145,000 goal.

Team Members