Gov. David Ige announced two judicial appointments Wednesday.
District Judge Shirley Kawamura was nominated to the Circuit Court on Oahu, and Family Court District Judge Melvin Fujino was named to the Circuit Court on Hawaii island.
Kawamura, 43, has been a district judge since 2012. She is a former commercial and insurance defense litigator at Kawashima Lorusso LLP, and previously worked as a trial deputy at the public defender’s office, according to a news release from Ige’s office. Kawamura is a 1994 graduate of Brown University and 1997 graduate of the Stanford Law Center.
Fujino, 55, became a Family Court district judge in 2008, previously working as deputy attorney general in the Statewide Wiretap Review Unit and Asset Forfeiture program. Fujino was also a deputy prosecutor for the West Hawaii branch of the Hawaii County Prosecutor’s Office. He is a 1981 graduate of the University of Washington and 1985 graduate of the Gonzaga School of Law.
Ige selected Kawamura and Fujino from a list of nominees provided by the Judicial Selection Commission, and their appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
“We were fortunate to have a highly qualified pool of nominees,” Ige said. “We appreciate their time and the effort that this process required. I extend my warmest congratulations to Judge Kawamura and Judge Fujino.”
Fletcher tapped for St. Andrew’s Schools
Ruth R. Fletcher has been selected to lead St. Andrew’s Schools beginning next school year.
Fletcher, currently dean of professional programs at Punahou School, succeeds Sandra J. Theunick, who has been head of the school since July 2007. Theunick is retiring.
“Dr. Fletcher was selected for her innovative vision for the St. Andrew’s Schools and her passion for celebrating the unique learning needs of girls and boys,” school board Chairwoman Dew-Anne Langcaon said in a news release. “Her vision for educating students for the 21st century is compelling. She believes in nurturing global citizens who think critically, collaborate, work for social justice and provide stewardship for our precious Earth.”
Fletcher began her career as an educator and scientist at the University of Delaware, where she taught in the department of geology. At Punahou, she was head of the science department and was academy dean, before working with national and international educators and experts as dean of professional programs.
Maioho replaces dad as mausoleum curator
William “Kai” Bishop Kaihe‘ekai Maioho is now serving as the new curator of the Royal Mausoleum at Mauna ‘Ala in Nuuanu.
Maioho is the 15th curator of the mausoleum, which was established in 1865 as the final resting place for the ruling monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawaii, their families and close advisers, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources
Maioho, who took up the post Wednesday, replaces his father, William “Bill” Maioho, who died earlier this year.
In a news release, DLNR First Deputy Kekoa Kaluhiwa said, “The department greatly appreciates Kai Maioho’s steadfast commitment to the Royal Mausoleum… He has demonstrated his detailed knowledge of the mausoleum and its grounds and of the efforts needed to preserve the site and support people coming to Mauna ‘Ala to honor the royal families.”
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big surf forecast for Big Isle, Maui
A high-surf warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Saturday for the eastern shores of Hawaii island due to Hurricane Olaf, the National Weather Service said Wednesday.
The east shores of Maui are under a less serious high-surf advisory.
Surf of 12 feet to 18 feet is forecast for Hawaii island and Maui. The large swell will spread across the rest of the main Hawaiian Islands by Saturday, the weather service said.
The weather service warned that the swell could send water sweeping across beaches, generate strong longshore and rip currents, and make harbor channels hazardous.
High pressure northeast of the state combined with Olaf to the southeast will keep tradewinds blowing, although they will weaken today, the weather service said.
At 5 p.m. Wednesday, Olaf was 800 miles southeast of Hilo, moving northwest at 9 mph. It was classified as a Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds of 120 mph. Olaf was expected to begin a turn to the northeast by Saturday afternoon.
