James Hoenig Obituary

JAMES K. HOENIG After years of dealing with multiple illnesses, on March 12, 2025, James K. ("Jim") Hoenig of Honolulu passed away at home surrounded by family, at age 87.

Jim was born in New York City, the only child of Hortense and Louis Hoenig. He was accepted at Hunter College Elementary School (NYC) as a "Termanite" - a program for high IQ children who are followed throughout their lives. Jim's family later moved to California where Jim was valedictorian of John Marshall High School (Los Angeles) class of 1955 and the 1955 State champion in debate, and National champion in extemporaneous speaking. He graduated first in his class both from Stanford University (B.A. 1959) and from Stanford Law School (J.D. 1963), where he was President of the Law Review. After serving as Law Clerk to the Chief Justice of the United States (Earl Warren), Jim became an attorney at O'Melveny & Myers (L.A.), leaving there to become president of a real estate development company. He also served in the Army Reserve, reaching the rank of Captain. After retiring, Jim obtained a PhD in counseling psychology and then moved to Hawai'i.

During his so-called retirement, Jim began volunteering as a mediator and thus started a whole new career in alternative dispute resolution which lasted the rest of his life. Working with Keith Hunter at Dispute Prevention & Resolution Inc, Jim became well known, and over the years received numerous national and local awards as a mediator and arbitrator, especially in the Family Law area (including Hawaii Arbitration Lawyer of the Year 2015 and 2021). He wrote extensively on those subjects and spent countless volunteer hours training judges, mediators, and volunteer settlement masters. Jim also served on the Hawai'i Supreme Court Disciplinary Board from 2015 to 2024. In 2006, Jim and his wife endowed a scholarship at U.H. Law School for the advancement of mediation in Family Law, which every year provides a U.H. Law student an opportunity to work with the Senior Judge of Family Court.

Jim was truly exceptional and brilliant (but never one to boast), compassionate, a gentleman, a master listener, a humorist and mesmerizing story-teller. He generously shared his wisdom and advice and became a mentor to many people. Jim's contributions as an attorney, mediator, psychologist, mentor, and friend left an indelible mark on so many lives.

Jim was predeceased by his adored Norwich Terriers about whom he would talk endlessly to any willing listener. He is survived by his beloved wife of 26 years Kathleen (Katy) Callaghan, also a lawyer, with whom he enjoyed everything from traveling to 65 different countries to simply watching TV with their dog sitting between them; his son Edward Hoenig; and his hanai family: Keith & Kathy Hunter (and children Kaitlin and Kole) and Kelly & Alex Berganio (and daughter Lexi).

Private services will be held at a later date. Gifts in memory of Jim can be sent to "University of Hawaii Foundation" and note that it is for a contribution to the "James K. Hoenig Endowed Scholarship 204-6720-30". Mail to U. H. Foundation, PO Box 11270, Honolulu, HI 96828-0270. Alternatively, gifts can be sent to "Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center," 677 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 226, Honolulu, HI 96813, and note that it is for the "James K. Hoenig Memorial Fund" (which supports the Clinic's wound care operations and continuing medical education for Clinic staff).

Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC