Ex-legislator Amaral named to judge selection panel

State Senate President Shan Tsutsui has appointed former state legislator Annelle Amaral to a six-year term starting tomorrow on the state Judicial Selection Commission.

Amaral, a consultant and Native Hawaiian liaison for the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, replaces Sheri Sakamoto on the nine-member commission.

Amaral, a former police officer, served in the House of Representatives from 1988 to 1996.

The commission submits lists of judicial candidates to the governor and chief justice for appointments to the state courts. The commission also is the sole authority in determining whether justices and judges serve succeeding terms.