Governor nominates Karen Nakasone to state judgeship

Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced today he has nominated Deputy Public Defender Karen Tooko Nakasone to be an Oahu Circuit Court judge.

Nakasone would fill a vacancy created last year with the appointment of Sabrina McKenna to the Hawaii Supreme Court.

Nakasone’s nomination is subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

Nakasone, 41, has been a deputy public defender in Honolulu since 1996.  Before that, she served as a law clerk to the Hawaii Appeals Court Judge Simeon Acoba Jr. Nakasone earned her law degree from Boston University and is a graduate of Hawaii Baptist Academy.