Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed a new judge to the Hawaii First Circuit Court.

Dean E. Ochiai of Honolulu will fill the vacancy left by Judge Richard Pollack. Pollack became an associate justice on the Hawaii Supreme Court.

The 57-year-old Ochiai had been serving as a district court judge. Prior to becoming a judge, Ochiai was vice president and managing attorney for the First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd. His resume also includes work as a prosecutor and private practice attorney.

His new appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.