| Judge Artemio C. Baxa Maui, Hawaii A Man of Hope and Inspiration Role Model for the Youth of Today |
Born and raised in a small farming village in Teppang, Bacarra,
Ilocos Norte, Philippines and immigrated to Hawaii in 1967,
Artemio Baxa made history as the first naturalized American of
Filipino ancestry to become a judge of the 2nd Circuit Court, State
of Hawaii.
Artemio is the elder of two brothers born to Juan Eda Baxa and the
late Maria Constantino Baxa. He graduated from Parang
Elementary School and Bacarra Provincial High School, both in
Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. He studied pre-law at the University of Sto.
Tomas and later obtained his Bachelor of Law Degree in 1960.
That year, he passed the Philippine Bar Exam and was licensed to
practice law and worked with the late Vicente Francisco, one of the
most respected lawyers in the Philippines. Later in the United
States, he obtained a Master's degree in Comparative Law from
the University of Chicago in 1964.
When Artemio and Arnold joined their father in Hawaii in the late
1960's, they lived in an old plantation home in Camp I
Spreckelsville and later in Alabama Village in Puunene. Artemio
recalls his first job experiences. Even though he had a law degree,
he could not find the least job commensurate to his educational
Ilocos Norte, Philippines and immigrated to Hawaii in 1967,
Artemio Baxa made history as the first naturalized American of
Filipino ancestry to become a judge of the 2nd Circuit Court, State
of Hawaii.
Artemio is the elder of two brothers born to Juan Eda Baxa and the
late Maria Constantino Baxa. He graduated from Parang
Elementary School and Bacarra Provincial High School, both in
Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. He studied pre-law at the University of Sto.
Tomas and later obtained his Bachelor of Law Degree in 1960.
That year, he passed the Philippine Bar Exam and was licensed to
practice law and worked with the late Vicente Francisco, one of the
most respected lawyers in the Philippines. Later in the United
States, he obtained a Master's degree in Comparative Law from
the University of Chicago in 1964.
When Artemio and Arnold joined their father in Hawaii in the late
1960's, they lived in an old plantation home in Camp I
Spreckelsville and later in Alabama Village in Puunene. Artemio
recalls his first job experiences. Even though he had a law degree,
he could not find the least job commensurate to his educational
background. He ended up taking low-paying jobs such as bellhop at the then Wailuku Hotel, a community
aide at Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., and even working at some other odd jobs like clearing a lot with
weeds and debris. However, at that time when he was a graduate student at the University of Chicago Law
School, he was invited by the Women's Bar Association of the State of Illinois at its convention to share his
impressions of America and its people. He told them that he was impressed with America and how its Peace
Corps Volunteers were promoting goodwill and understanding in the Philippines. So strong was his belief in
the greatness of America that he considered his present predicament then in Hawaii a temporary setback.
In 1973, Artemio married the former Lucina Ramil Cacal, who was a school teacher in the Philippines.
Working hard, they earned enough money to buy a house in Kahului. His wife had so much faith in him and
his capabilities. She encouraged him to return to law school. So they sold their home and Artemio entered
William S. Richardson Law School at the University of Hawaii in September 1975. A month before that, Lucina
gave birth to the couple's only son, Artemio C. Baxa II, who is now pursuing his law studies. Three years later,
Artemio received his juris doctorate and on that year, he was licensed to practice law by the Hawaii Supreme
Court. He served in the Maui County Departments of Corporation Counsel and Human Concerns in
1978-1979. Then he joined the Department of Prosecuting Attorney until 1991. He was selected Maui County
Employee of the Year in 1988. Then he joined the law firm of Lowenthal and August and engaged in private
practice for about five years.
After being president of the Maui County Bar Association, he was also a Per Diem District Court Judge from
April to November 1995. And soon after, Prosecuting Attorney Richard Bisen hired him back into the
Department of Prosecuting Attorney. Then in April 1998, Artemio was selected from a list of six candidates
sent to Gov. Ben Cayetano by the Judicial Selection Commission to become a 2nd Circuit Court Judge
succeeding then retiring Judge E. John McConnell. Artemio's nomination was approved by the Senate by a
unanimous vote. The Maui County Bar Association and the Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA) members
voted him their highest rating of "highly qualified" to be a judge. James Kawachika, then HSBA president,
described Baxa as an extremely hard worker, very diligent and humble, honest, considerate and respectful to
everyone he meets.
For his involvement especially in the Filipino community, and for his achievement in the legal field, Baxa was
honored to receive the "Gintong Pamana" Leadership/Achievement Award given by the Filipino Chamber of
Commerce Maui in July 1999. Also, he received the "Progress Award in Law" from the United Filipino Council
of Hawaii.
He considered one of his most rewarding and satisfying moments was the report that he prepared while
pursuing planning studies at the University of Hawaii School of Urban and Regional Planning under a
two-year study grants for minorities sponsored by the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), in cooperation with the Department of Planning and Economic Development, State of
Hawaii and the Department o Planning, County of Maui, entitled "A Report on Filipino Immigration and Social
Challenges in Maui County, 1973." It became a model for implementing the Maui County Immigrant Services
Program. That program was initiated under the administration of former Mayor Cravalho. And Baxa was the
first employee to be hired under the initial program.
Judge Baxa claims that there are two important persons in his life who are responsible for where he is right
now. His father, who provided all his financial needs when he went to school in the Philippines and his late
wife who inspired and gave him moral support when he went back to law school.
With his current position, Judge Baxa has encountered a lot of cases concerning youth. He shares his
sentiments and gives pieces of advice for the youth. He also encourages parents to play an active role in
nurturing the youth.
Filipinos in general have a high regard for Judge Baxa. Nita Ugalino, office manager of Napili Sunset
describes him as humble, compassionate and very accommodating. And Dr. John Wayne Enriques, a former
Maui County Council member, holds him in high esteem and considers Judge Baxa's accomplishments as
outstanding. Richard Caldito Sr. Board Director of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce in Maui describes him
as a role model for the youth. Rick Nava, an accountant for Media Systems in Lahaina, has a very high respect
for Judge Baxa for he is not ashamed of his beginnings and was able to achieve what he wanted in life
through hard work and perseverance.
Also from among his peers in the legal profession, Judge Baxa has a good reputation. Arlene Y. Watanabe,
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the County of Maui says Judge Baxa was always the most gracious and caring
individual in the prosecution office when he was still the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. She sees him as a very
fair man and a hard worker, has a great deal of integrity and so diligent about his work. And James
Kawashima of the Judicial Selection Commission adds that he is one of the most humble, self-effacing
individual you will ever meet. And that he is not the typical lawyer who is flashy and egotistical.
Judge Baxa shares his thought on some issues concerning society. He strongly believes that education is
the greatest equalizer in life especially for immigrants whether they are Filipinos or of another ethnicity. On
the other hand, he acknowledges that for many new immigrants, the primary concern is getting a job not only
for their survival but also for those they left behind. But he advises that whenever possible, they should get
further training and education.
Speaking from his heart and soul, Judge Baxa shares his visions for Filipinos by borrowing and paraphrasing
from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." I would like to see the day when every member of the Filipino community
would be able to see himself as one who belongs to the community at large: one who is not different from any
other. I look to the day when every Filipino will be able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with anyone. To the day,
when he believes that in terms of intelligence and moral force, he is as tall and strong as any other can be,
and that he is entitled to less than the rights that are due to every citizen of this country. #
aide at Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., and even working at some other odd jobs like clearing a lot with
weeds and debris. However, at that time when he was a graduate student at the University of Chicago Law
School, he was invited by the Women's Bar Association of the State of Illinois at its convention to share his
impressions of America and its people. He told them that he was impressed with America and how its Peace
Corps Volunteers were promoting goodwill and understanding in the Philippines. So strong was his belief in
the greatness of America that he considered his present predicament then in Hawaii a temporary setback.
In 1973, Artemio married the former Lucina Ramil Cacal, who was a school teacher in the Philippines.
Working hard, they earned enough money to buy a house in Kahului. His wife had so much faith in him and
his capabilities. She encouraged him to return to law school. So they sold their home and Artemio entered
William S. Richardson Law School at the University of Hawaii in September 1975. A month before that, Lucina
gave birth to the couple's only son, Artemio C. Baxa II, who is now pursuing his law studies. Three years later,
Artemio received his juris doctorate and on that year, he was licensed to practice law by the Hawaii Supreme
Court. He served in the Maui County Departments of Corporation Counsel and Human Concerns in
1978-1979. Then he joined the Department of Prosecuting Attorney until 1991. He was selected Maui County
Employee of the Year in 1988. Then he joined the law firm of Lowenthal and August and engaged in private
practice for about five years.
After being president of the Maui County Bar Association, he was also a Per Diem District Court Judge from
April to November 1995. And soon after, Prosecuting Attorney Richard Bisen hired him back into the
Department of Prosecuting Attorney. Then in April 1998, Artemio was selected from a list of six candidates
sent to Gov. Ben Cayetano by the Judicial Selection Commission to become a 2nd Circuit Court Judge
succeeding then retiring Judge E. John McConnell. Artemio's nomination was approved by the Senate by a
unanimous vote. The Maui County Bar Association and the Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA) members
voted him their highest rating of "highly qualified" to be a judge. James Kawachika, then HSBA president,
described Baxa as an extremely hard worker, very diligent and humble, honest, considerate and respectful to
everyone he meets.
For his involvement especially in the Filipino community, and for his achievement in the legal field, Baxa was
honored to receive the "Gintong Pamana" Leadership/Achievement Award given by the Filipino Chamber of
Commerce Maui in July 1999. Also, he received the "Progress Award in Law" from the United Filipino Council
of Hawaii.
He considered one of his most rewarding and satisfying moments was the report that he prepared while
pursuing planning studies at the University of Hawaii School of Urban and Regional Planning under a
two-year study grants for minorities sponsored by the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), in cooperation with the Department of Planning and Economic Development, State of
Hawaii and the Department o Planning, County of Maui, entitled "A Report on Filipino Immigration and Social
Challenges in Maui County, 1973." It became a model for implementing the Maui County Immigrant Services
Program. That program was initiated under the administration of former Mayor Cravalho. And Baxa was the
first employee to be hired under the initial program.
Judge Baxa claims that there are two important persons in his life who are responsible for where he is right
now. His father, who provided all his financial needs when he went to school in the Philippines and his late
wife who inspired and gave him moral support when he went back to law school.
With his current position, Judge Baxa has encountered a lot of cases concerning youth. He shares his
sentiments and gives pieces of advice for the youth. He also encourages parents to play an active role in
nurturing the youth.
Filipinos in general have a high regard for Judge Baxa. Nita Ugalino, office manager of Napili Sunset
describes him as humble, compassionate and very accommodating. And Dr. John Wayne Enriques, a former
Maui County Council member, holds him in high esteem and considers Judge Baxa's accomplishments as
outstanding. Richard Caldito Sr. Board Director of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce in Maui describes him
as a role model for the youth. Rick Nava, an accountant for Media Systems in Lahaina, has a very high respect
for Judge Baxa for he is not ashamed of his beginnings and was able to achieve what he wanted in life
through hard work and perseverance.
Also from among his peers in the legal profession, Judge Baxa has a good reputation. Arlene Y. Watanabe,
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the County of Maui says Judge Baxa was always the most gracious and caring
individual in the prosecution office when he was still the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. She sees him as a very
fair man and a hard worker, has a great deal of integrity and so diligent about his work. And James
Kawashima of the Judicial Selection Commission adds that he is one of the most humble, self-effacing
individual you will ever meet. And that he is not the typical lawyer who is flashy and egotistical.
Judge Baxa shares his thought on some issues concerning society. He strongly believes that education is
the greatest equalizer in life especially for immigrants whether they are Filipinos or of another ethnicity. On
the other hand, he acknowledges that for many new immigrants, the primary concern is getting a job not only
for their survival but also for those they left behind. But he advises that whenever possible, they should get
further training and education.
Speaking from his heart and soul, Judge Baxa shares his visions for Filipinos by borrowing and paraphrasing
from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." I would like to see the day when every member of the Filipino community
would be able to see himself as one who belongs to the community at large: one who is not different from any
other. I look to the day when every Filipino will be able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with anyone. To the day,
when he believes that in terms of intelligence and moral force, he is as tall and strong as any other can be,
and that he is entitled to less than the rights that are due to every citizen of this country. #
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Copyright© 2006 Filipino Image. All rights Reserved. Advertise | Contract | Subscribe | Publisher | Contact Us |