By day, Lance Collins is a lawyer. By night, (and sometimes day) he’s also a filmmaker, book editor and music producer. Now, he can add another title to his eclectic resumé: screenwriter for a feature-length film now available on a streaming service near you.
“When it comes to my time,” Collins says, “every minute is accounted for.”
He did, however, have time for an interview, which took place over Zoom from Collins’ office on the Hawaiian island of Maui. He sat at his desk with huge law books lining the shelves behind him. Collins resembles Mr. Rogers, the beloved PBS neighbor who appeared to find joy and friendship everywhere. Sometimes, during celebrations, Collins unabashedly wears a lei, the Hawaiian symbol of joy, greeting and love.
An unconventional career path
Collins, who is Filipino and was raised on Maui, wasn’t planning to be a lawyer. He had so many interests that it was difficult to pin them down on a single career. That’s why he has earned so many degrees: In addition to his law degree, which he pursued after friends and family pushed him in that direction, he earned a PhD in political science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a master’s degree in Indigenous politics from the same school.
For the past 20 years, Collins has been focused on his clients, who tend to be community groups or marginalized people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to the legal system. He specializes in public interest litigation, addressing such issues as the environment and Hawaiian land rights. Most recently, he represented victims in the $4 billion settlement stemming from Maui’s Aug. 8, 2023, fire, which killed more than 100 people and wiped out Lahaina, a historic town on the northwest coast of the island.
But if he’s needed elsewhere on his home island, he doesn’t shy away from the challenge—especially when it comes to educating others about Maui’s history and culture. His days are guided by finding joy. If he’s not happy doing something, he doesn’t do it.
“You have to be really clear in your heart about what it is you want to do,” Collins says. “If you’re drawn to something else, you might want to reconsider what your job is. Your heart will tell you what you’re willing to do.” Collins also meditates twice a day to clear his mind and check in with his soul.
Read full report https://www.abajournal.com/web/article/multi-talented-lawyer-turns-passion-for-hawaiian-history-into-new-film
