Hawai‘i ACLU welcomes new board leadership Marianita Lopez elected as new Board President

Honolulu, Hawai‘i: The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i announced a new slate of all-volunteer officers:

Newly elected President Marianita Lopez is a family law attorney based in Hale‘iwa on O‘ahu, She has served on the ACLU of Hawai‘i board since 2007. She takes over for outgoing President Barbara Ankersmit, who served as Board President since 2009, and will continue to serve the ACLU as an at-large member of board leadership. Newly elected Vice President Barbara Franklin is a lawyer based in Honoka‘a, Hawai‘i Island. They join Treasurer Rick Schneider, Secretary Roger W. Fonseca, At-Large members Barbara Ankersmit and Pamela G. Lichty, and National Representative and Equity Officer Misaki Takabayashi, whose terms are ongoing.

Marianita Lopez said: “It is a great honor to serve as the President of the ACLU of Hawai‘i board of directors. I look forward to working with our members, my peers on the board, and with our staff to advance the mission, impact and reach of our local ACLU. Our work is so important to safeguarding civil rights and civil liberties for everyone in the islands.”

The officers serve alongside fellow board members Ibrahim Aoude, George Atkins, Jeff Hong, Esther Solomon, Patrick Y. Taomae, A. Joris Watland, and Jackie Young.