PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2023
For Information:
Kim Moa, 808.203.9945
kmoa@acluhawaii.org
ACLU OF HAWAI‘I EXPANDS STRATEGIC GROWTH WITH ADDITION OF POLICY ASSISTANT JOSH FROST AND LEGAL FELLOW SAMANTHA MCNICHOLS
HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI: The ACLU of Hawaiʻi is excited to announce the addition of Policy Assistant, Josh Frost, and Legal Fellow, Samantha McNichols, to the ACLU team. The new hires are part of a strategic expansion by the local affiliate to build capacity and reach in its effort to advance civil rights and liberties throughout Hawai‘i.
Josh Frost brings a deep background of two decades in legislative advocacy in Hawaiʻi to his new position. He began his political engagement and career as a founding member of Equality Hawaiʻi and spent the early years of his advocacy fighting for Marriage Equality. Since then, he has engaged primarily in policy development and advocacy on economic and criminal justice reform.
Prior to joining the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Frost worked in the policy office for Governor Abercrombie and Governor Ige. Since leaving the Governor’s office in 2018, he has worked for a handful of State Legislators and has managed or advised a number of candidates for public office.
Born and raised in Overland Park, Kansas, Frost has a dual bachelor’s degree in comparative religion and philosophy from Miami University and a master’s degree in political management from George Washington University.
He has lived in Hawaiʻi for more than 20 years and also served as a member of his Neighborhood Board from 2017-2023, the last two years as the Board Chair.
On his appointment as the organization’s first-ever dedicated Policy Assistant, Josh Frost said, “I’m so thrilled to join the ACLU of Hawaiʻi team. I’ve been a long-time admirer and supporter of the ACLU and their work, so to have this opportunity to contribute substantially to their efforts is an honor.”
Originally from the East Coast, Samantha McNichols is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.
During law school, McNichols externed with the National Center for Youth Law, where she worked on the Legal Advocacy team to advance impact litigation on behalf of children across public systems. She also interned with the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office in the Misdemeanor Unit and Research Unit and worked with the California Appellate Project, where she served individuals incarcerated on death row awaiting habeas counsel. She has also worked on a wide range of pro bono matters and contributed to the Policy Advocacy Clinic’s campaign to abolish fines and fees in the juvenile legal system.
Prior to law school, she worked as a paralegal for the Federal Defenders of New York, supporting the defense of individuals charged with federal crimes, and as an intern investigator for the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, conducting pretrial investigations for clients in the juvenile trial division.
On joining the ACLU of Hawai‘i team, Samantha McNichols said, “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the people in Hawai‘i during this fellowship. I am passionate about supporting those facing incarceration, oppression, and injustice and excited to contribute to public interest litigation centered on legal advocacy and changing systems. I look forward to fiercely advocating with clients to vindicate their rights while also seeking remedies for those directly and disproportionately impacted by the legal system.”
ACLU of Hawai‘i Executive Director, Scott Greenwood said, “Now more than ever, our presence is needed in the legislature, in city and county governments, and in the courtroom. Josh and Samantha will be critical in supporting and expanding the reach and capacity of our policy and legal departments in their defense of civil liberties in these arenas. We're excited to have them on board.”
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The mission of the Hawai‘i affiliate of the ACLU is to protect the civil liberties contained in the state and federal constitutions through litigation, legislative, and public education programs. The ACLU is funded primarily through private donations and offers its services at no cost to the public. The ACLU does not accept any government funds.