John L. Olson

John was born and raised on the Island of O`ahu, and moved to Kona in 1973 with his wife Jill (Roehrig) Olson. There, they raised two sons: Robert and Peter Olson, both of whom are attorneys.  Mr. Olson started practicing in Kona in 1973 with local attorney Richard Ishida.  In 1975, Mr. Olson joined the Office of the Public Defender in Hilo, where he became the supervising Deputy for the Big Island until he opened his own private practice in Kona in 1978. Mr. Olson's wife, Jill is a Co-Founder and now Executive Director of the Kona Historical Society. Mr. Olson's office was located at the Kealakekua Ranch Center for 34 years before renaming the firm and moving to our current location. Mr. Olson has two legal assitants, Rhee K. Manuel, and Shanelle Estoy, sisters. Mr. Olson is the Co-Founder of the West Hawai`i Bar Asssociation.  He is a former Per Diem Judge of the District and Family Court. Mr. Olson is an avid writer and outdoors man. His favorite activity being outrigger canoe paddling and canoe surfing. Mr. Olson's family can be seen canoe surfing at Ke`ei, and when the waves are big, at Kapahukapu ("Manini Point") in Kealakekua Bay.  He is always happy to share tales of his adventures in his beloved canoe, the ʻĪlio Kai, whether it be catching big waves, paddling around Hawai`i Island in 1993, or crossing the `Alenuihāhā Channel to Hāna, Maui in 2006.