About Maile Marie
Maile M — Hirota is an immigration attorney based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Since 1994, she has been practicing U.S. immigration law, focusing on business and family-based immigration, citizenship, and removal defense. In 2009, she founded Hirota & Associates, LLLC, a firm that has gained recognition for its expertise in immigration law. The firm is conveniently located at 735 Bishop Street, Suite 402, Honolulu, HI 96813, serving clients in the region. Ms. Hirota earned her Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law in 1994.
Prior to her legal education, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Japanese at the University of Michigan in 1990. Further enhancing her language skills, she studied at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies in Yokohama, Japan, in 1994. After her graduation, she was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in the same year and has since been an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Her leadership within AILA is notable. Ms. Hirota served as the Hawaii Chapter Chair from 2003 to 2005 and again from 2012 to 2014. Additionally, she held the position of Vice Chair from 2001 to 2003.
Her involvement extends to national committees, including the Executive Office for Immigration Review Liaison Committee and the California Service Center Liaison Committee, where she has contributed to shaping immigration policy and practice. Recognition for her contributions to immigration law has been extensive — Since 2008, she has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Immigration Law. In 2015 and 2018, she was honored as Best Lawyers’ “Lawyer of the Year” for Honolulu Immigration Law. One of her significant achievements occurred in 2013 when she successfully represented Ms. An Na Peng, a Chinese citizen, in obtaining a Presidential pardon. This case marked the first immigration-related pardon in over a decade at that time, showcasing her commitment to her clients and the details of immigration law. Fluent in Japanese, Ms.
Hirota is a frequent public speaker on immigration matters. She has addressed various groups, including Hawaii Public Radio, Hawaii Pacific University, and the Rotary Club. From 2002 to 2009, she hosted a weekly immigration call-in radio show on KPMW 105.5FM, providing essential information to Hawaii’s immigrant community. Beyond her legal practice, she is a lifetime member of the Japan-America Society of Hawaii and serves as a director and secretary for the Dr. Arthur & Bonnie Ennis Foundation. Her involvement with the Hawaii Pacific University Career Services Advisory Council further demonstrates her dedication to fostering career development in the community.
