Today, Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i (“Legal Aid”) announced that it has selected David Kauila Kopper as its new Executive Director, effective June 13, 2023.
Kopper will succeed Legal Aid’s long-time Executive Director Nalani Fujimori Kaina, who served the organization in a variety of roles for 24 years and has now joined Kamehameha Schools as its General Counsel and Vice President.
“The Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i is looking forward to working with David, our new Executive Director, in carrying on fulfilling our mission of providing high quality legal advocacy, outreach and education in pursuit of fairness and justice and improving access to justice, especially for our vulnerable community members,” said Blaine Rogers, President of the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i Board of Directors.
Kopper comes to Legal Aid as the former Director of Litigation at Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (NHLC). He brings with him decades of experience with Hawaiʻi’s courts and administrative bodies. His various roles at NHLC as intake staff, staff attorney, and especially as interim executive director, serve as an asset for Legal Aid as it continues its mission to address Hawai‘i’s critical legal needs in the pursuit of fairness and justice.
“I have always gravitated towards organizations that serve and empower communities, ʻohana, and people in need. And I deeply admire those rare breed of advocates who unselfishly dedicate themselves to that mission,” said Mr. Kopper. “I am honored to serve as the next Executive Director of our state’s oldest and largest nonprofit legal services provider and embrace wholeheartedly the kuleana entrusted to me: to carry forward LASH’s 70-year legacy of advancing justice and fairness all across our pae ʻāina.”
Kopper is engaged in the communities he serves and works closely with prospective clients and partners. His relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, as well as his experience with contracts and grants provide a strong foundation for this position. He is passionate about serving the keiki and kūpuna, individuals and families, and Hawai‘i’s vulnerable groups and communities, including Native Hawaiians. He has also served as panel speaker and presenter at a wide range of trainings, conferences and radio shows, most recently for the Harvard Law Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) and Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission.
Originally from Hilo, Kopper received his degrees from William S. Richardson School of Law (J.D. magna cum laude, 2010) and from Arizona State University (magna cum laude, 2006). He is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama.