On the Passing of Patricia Mau-Shimizu

Patricia Mau-Shimizu Portrait
Patricia Mau-Shimizu (Image Credit: HSBA)

Dear Richardson ‘Ohana,

The William S. Richardson School of Law mourns the loss of our friend and supporter Patricia Mau-Shimizu.  A remarkably talented leader and connector is no longer with us, leaving so many in our community deeply saddened.  

Pat’s selflessness and savvy allowed our legal community to thrive.  Pat worked tirelessly to support civic education efforts at the Law School and in the community at large.  She invited and welcomed our faculty and administration to present to the Bar and serve on various committees of the Hawai‘i State Bar Association.  She also made space at the table for our Richardson students.  She offered continuing legal education sessions free of charge to law students and opened up meeting spaces at the Hawai‘i State Bar Association office for students to study.  When our students created CJ’s Cubby, a mini pantry to provide food for students who were experiencing food instability, Pat worked with leaders of the HSBA to gather up and share resources. During the pandemic, Pat and the HSBA under her leadership supported donations to purchase gift cards for students who were in need of meals.  This fall, she generously offered the HSBA Office as a donation site where attorneys could drop off professional clothing that could be used by law students for job interviews and externships.  Most recently, she connected our Richardson students with behind-the-scenes support of the LegalLines set up to respond to the Lāhainā wildfires.  

As Dean, I had the honor of working with Pat and quickly grew to appreciate her as a friend to those who cared about justice and the rule of law.  Her support and generosity will be missed.  On behalf of our Richardson ‘Ohana, our students, faculty, staff, and administration, I offer my deepest condolences to her family and the HSBA ‘Ohana. 

Sincerely, with condolences,
Camille