Finding Solutions, Growing Peace
since 1983

Ku'ikahi Mediation Center helps individuals, families, organizations, businesses, schools, and others to find creative solutions to challenging situations.

MEDIATION

Mediation is an informal, confidential process in which a neutral third party—the mediator—helps people talk and listen, explore options, and find their own best solutions.

FACILITATION

Facilitation is a collaborative way to manage small or large group discussions and assist groups of people to identify and solve problems, make decisions, and complete tasks.

TRAINING

Gain unique opportunities to obtain world-class personal and professional development in the areas of communication, collaboration, conflict transformation, and more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

BOUNDLESS CONFIDENCE: WHAT I BRING TO THE WORLD

As part of our "Teamwork, Leadership, and Preparing for the New Economy" Training Series, Ku'ikahi Mediation Center ...
VIEW EVENT INFO →

FREE BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES

Held monthly on Third Thursdays from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm via Zoom. Each month an invited ...
VIEW EVENT INFO →

HILO ORCHID SHOW GALA PREVIEW PARTY

A Preview Party kicks off the 2022 Annual Orchid Show & Sale in Hilo. The "fun"-raiser runs ...
VIEW EVENT INFO →

TESTIMONIALS

"A business owner was trying to be open but really struggling.  They had contacted me a month ago for help finding a real estate attorney.  When this Rapid Response Landlord Tenant Mediation Program came out I recommended it to them.  When I saw the business owner yesterday, they were glowing with relief.  They said, 'I almost don't care what happens now, at least someone listened to me!'"

Mary Begier

Owner of Mary Begier Realty

“Lawyers and court rooms are intimidating and expensive.  Ku’ikahi Mediation Center was a welcome alternative.  The mediator assigned to my case truly understood my angst and made sure I was comfortable and understood the decisions being made in mediation.”

Caroline “Kui” Wong

Owner of Kui & I Florist, LLC

“The Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center facilitator skillfully led our nonprofit and a partner government agency through a process to develop needed partnership documents. Her excellent tools, focus, pacing, and follow-up work helped us gain the clarity we needed to develop great products.”

 

Margot Griffith

Executive Director, Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association

"I'm already using the skills gained from the Basic Mediation Training in my one-to-one conversations with students in crisis or helping students resolve conflicts with faculty, staff, and/or other students. The Division of Student Affairs is already seeing a return on the investment.  These skills are so incredible and valuable!”

 

Karishma Kamath

Director of Student Conduct, UH-Hilo

“Highly recommend mediation through Ku'ikahi.  It's a wonderful alternative to going through the courts and often re-opens doors  to communication between both parties that would otherwise remain closed.  Easy to work with and fair to all involved.”

Pat Aiona, Jr.

General Manager at Aiona Car Sales

“The Ku’ikahi facilitator was extremely well prepared for the Home Owner’s Association meetings. She knew how to engage those in attendance by setting decorum parameters at the beginning of the meeting. Her expertise and facilitation skills were readily apparent when the need arose.“

 

DJ Howell

Board Member, Kalapana Seaview Estates Community Association

“As a counselor, I feel that one of the most valuable skills any of us can learn is conflict management and resolution. Ku'ikahi trains individuals and facilitates the growth of the mediation process as a means to clear the path to dealing with conflict in a healthy and healing manner.”

 

Karen Lee Holderman

Counselor, K-12 at Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School

“Throughout the 32-hour course the instructors made participants feel heard.  I was deeply touched by their mission to bring peace to our community.  I will and have already used the techniques to listen better and communicate with a softer tone in my personal and work life.” 

 

Participant

Basic Mediation Training

“Ku'ikahi Mediation Center has assisted us twice in the past and both times they helped resolve long contested disputes in just a few hours (could have taken years in court) and saved us thousands in litigation costs. I believe that they provide a wonderful service to our community."

Shon Pahio

Business Services Hawaii

“Kuʻikahi Mediation Center has some of the best facilitators around. Case in point – Julie Mitchell, the Center’s Executive Director, is expert at the strategic design of a session to produce both quality outcomes and a meaningful experience for participants.”

 

Ron Whitmore

Deputy Director, County of Hawai‘i Department of Research and Development

“Just learning how to actively listen to others with full attention has enabled me to interact with other people in positive ways unimaginable before taking Ku'ikahi’s classes. I’ve been able to use the skills gained in these educational programs in every exchange I have with another person.”

 

Paul Freeman

Professionally Trained Volunteer Mediator

“I appreciate the time and diligence your mediators put into my client’s session. I think the mediation
session was helpful.”

Michelle Chi Dickinson

Attorney

“The facilitator from Kuʻikahi was very engaged in preparing for our meeting and was especially astute at managing the sometimes emotional dynamics of the group during our half-day meeting.  She recognized when breaks were needed to keep people engaged and to diffuse tension.”

 

Jon Christensen

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

“I truly valued and loved the realness and transparency of the classmates, instructors, and mediators.  I learned many skills I can and will use in my daily life, and for that I am extremely grateful.”

 

Participant

Basic Mediation Training

“Mediation is a great way to reduce the high cost of legal expenses.”

Newton Chu

Director at Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek, Attorneys at Laws

“I wanted to extend a huge thank you for what you did for our group.  We made it much further and smoother than I thought we would have.”

 

Facilitation Client

“Great training!  Kept me interested the entire time.  I was concerned this training was all day and too long, but the entire class time was very interesting.  I will use what I’ve learned today in future conflicts with employees/staff.  This class should be required for all supervisors/management.”

 

Participant

Civility in the Workplace

“I’m glad we came into mediation instead of going to court. We were finally able to come into an
agreement.”

Mediation Client

“Thanks to both of you, we are now able to move forward as one unified Big Island team.  Great working with you and will refer to friends and family.”

 

Facilitation Client

“The skills will be very useful in my personal life and growth.  It has made me more open and mindful to listen, really listen.  I’ve been through many trainings and feel I am leaving these last 4 days with more knowledge than any other workshop.”

 

Participant

Basic Mediation Training

“The mediators were effective. They got me to think about the situation and what I would like as an
outcome.”

Mediation Client

“The workshop was very transformative.  I feel cleansed in some intangible way, and am heartened by the fact that I now feel much more equipped to be a compassionate and communicative being.  I am going to use it in my personal and professional life.” 

 

Participant

Basic Mediation Training

"I've learned that mediation through Ku'ikahi Mediation Center is a vehicle that helps people like me to have a sense of control over a situation filled with anxiety and the unknown.  And for that I am forever grateful."

Mediation Client