Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed Honolulu lawyer Patricia Kim Park to the Judicial Selection Commission, the governor’s office announced Tuesday.

The appointment is effective immediately, the office said. The term expires April 1, 2017.

"Patricia has a deep understanding and respect for the state Constitution as well as a strong track record of protecting the rights and interests of the people of Hawaii," the governor said in the announcement.

Park replaces Honolulu attorney Jeffrey Portnoy, who left the commission when the governor appointed him last month to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents.

The commission screens judicial candidates and decides whether judges and justices serve succeeding terms.