The West Hawaii Mediation Center will hold its annual recognition for the “2022 Community Peacebuilder” honoree on Dec. 2. Each year, the nonprofit recognizes a community member that embodies the ethos and practices of a peacebuilder.
The event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cheers Tapas Bar in Kailua-Kona.
This year, WHMC is honoring Timothy Hansen. While he is currently serving as an executive assistant in the Office of the Mayor, Hansen has worked to place the needs of victims of crime at the center of justice work through the Victim’s Assistance Unit in the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. His expertise lies in restorative justice. In short, restorative justice is a movement that builds healing and accountability, repair of harm, and strengthens relationships and communities in the wake of wrongdoing.
“I’ve witnessed first-hand the power of restorative justice for those who encounter it,” says Eric Paul, the executive director of WHMC. “And Tim has been an advocate for using tools that promote harmony and resolve conflict in really amazing ways. We couldn’t be more proud to honor Tim as our community peacebuilder.”
Hansen served as the restorative justice program manager for eight years. As a result of his work, hundreds of cases have been diverted from criminal legal proceedings while simultaneously empowering victims of crime and lowering recidivism rates. 100% of restitution was paid out; and of the 200 cases using the Victim Offender Conferencing program, only one re-offended. Hansen pioneered restorative practices in our legal proceedings as well as for instances of conflict and harm in our schools as a lead trainer and teacher.
Past Community Peacebuilder recipients are Giovanna Gherardi, an advocate and mentor for mediation processes, and Ret. Judge Melvin Fujino.
Tickets for the Pau Hana celebration at Cheers Tapas Bar can be found at www.whmediation.org and are $50 each.