I read with great interest the article by Rob Perez indicating tenants are under-represented by attorneys in landlord-tenant disputes (“Tenants at disadvantage in eviction cases, study finds,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 9). Suggestions were made by the nonprofit Lawyers for Equal Justice to help tenants.

The Mediation Center of the Pacific (MCP), a nonprofit organization, also has been assisting both landlord and tenants in disputes. Highly trained and qualified volunteer mediators cover the district courts on Oahu daily, and, among other cases, assist when directed by the courts to help resolve landlord-tenant disputes. Also, MCP has initiated a program specifically for landlord-tenant disputes, called the Early Access Mediation (EAM) Program, to assist landlords and tenants resolve their disputes without going to a court of law. This program is available free of charge.

Volunteer mediators facilitate effective communication so parties can understand each other’s position, making it highly likely they will settle their disagreements without the time and expense of going to court.

Gary M. Shiraishi

MCP volunteer mediator

Kaimuki

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