MOCK TRIAL COUGARS SEASON RECAP
The Kaiser High School Mock Trial team provides students with a dynamic, hands-on understanding of the American judicial process. The program fosters skills in analysis, rhetoric, public speaking, and teamwork, preparing students for future success in any field. Competitions are held in actual courtrooms in Honolulu and judged by actual judges from our Honolulu legal community. Our team members are assisted by volunteer coaches - attorneys in Honolulu - in learning courtroom etiquette, rules of procedure, and rules of evidence.
In its second year, our team advanced to the Final round in 2025 and finished second in the state. We had heightened expectations of reaching the Final round in 2026 with another strong team of returnees and rookies. We learned a lot about ourselves and the competition this year and are prepared to return next year with the intent to compete well and win the whole thing.
This is a competition organized by the Hawaii State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division. A state championship is at stake like any other state academic competition, with the additional opportunity to represent the state of Hawaii at the national Mock Trial competition held in May.
Our competition season begins with the release of case materials in November before actual competition begins in February. Our team has traditionally met in the fall quarter to review the applicable rules of evidence, rules of competition, and a practice scenario to help introduce new members to the rigorous activities with helpful guidance of our team veterans and faculty advisor, Mr. Tanabe.
We extend our thanks and appreciation to this year’s team members and volunteer coaches. Go Cougars!
Team 1:
Christine Cao, Sterling Fix McNamara, Hristo Dimitrov, David Kunihiro, Siena McCabe, Joshua Garcia, Arden Ng, Lily Ohta
Team 2:
Pepper Caruso, Aine Des Pres, Mirnah Amer, Lex Tullos , Tyler Ching, Nicole Kaisho
Coach Kendrick Chang, Esq. (Kaiser 2015) and Coach Timothy Silvester, Esq.